October 2, 2025 • 39 mins
The Drive goes around the league ahead of the Steelers bye week.
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Speaker 1 (00:03):
Your tunes about drive on your twenty four to seven
home of the Black and Goal Steelers Nation Radio.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
Good evening, Steeler Nation, how we do it? Well, that's
good us too, West Jeeler, Matt Williamson. It is our
number two of the drive here on Steelers Nation Radio
on this.
Speaker 3 (00:25):
Good evening, good evening evening, the five o'clock hours.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
The evening is the evening, especially now, Matt, where we
are getting dangerously closer and closer to that time where
you and I are going to be driving home in
the dark.
Speaker 3 (00:37):
Everage, Yeah, leaves are falling.
Speaker 4 (00:39):
I think I'm going to do a little leaf scooping
this weekend, a bye week, you know, things like that.
Speaker 2 (00:43):
I think I'm gonna get the last the last lawnmow,
last grass cut this this weekend. Probably the same thing
with the twenty twenty five calendar year. Yes, certainly good.
Speaker 4 (00:53):
Good bye week project too. Probably getting a haircut on
the bye week, you know, things like.
Speaker 2 (00:58):
That, got mine hero yea yeah is our video producer
TV looks over there and rubs it is that that
issue rubs his buzz cut and Matt, what do you
say we do a little fantasy football focus here to
get us started at an hour number two, a little
stardom sid them from NFL dot com. Here some big
names with some tough matchups this weekend.
Speaker 4 (01:20):
Yeah, it's an interesting slate of games. And there's a
lot of injuries in the fantasy.
Speaker 2 (01:23):
World, right, a lot of injuries as well.
Speaker 4 (01:24):
And we also four teams on by I mean in
the fantasy world when you started hitting bi week injury
time and that's when the men become men, you know, Yeah.
Speaker 2 (01:36):
Exactly A J Brown against the Denver Broncos start.
Speaker 4 (01:42):
Okay, my favorite. I'm not sure if I've referenced Matt
harmon On here with you, but he actually joined us
at the Combine. I've known Matt for a long time.
He works for Yahoo. He's a fantasy analyst, but he
also has a site reception Perception dot com. He is
widely regarded and I one hundred degree as the best
(02:04):
wide receiver expert.
Speaker 2 (02:05):
I remember talking with him at the combine. I think
I might have been doing like an because you and
Dale would usually have a third person for like yeah, yeah,
sometimes it was Max, sometimes it was Mode, sometimes it
was me. I do feel like I was there when
you when you mentioned that reception perception. I feel like.
Speaker 4 (02:20):
He's like your age because I grabbed him and I
talked on Twitter a million times and I grabbed him
at the first and he was super nice. She's like
I remember Matt Williamson back on the ESPN days when
I was a kid listening to you know, his podcast.
Speaker 2 (02:34):
The young people at the combine who toot your horn
about how great.
Speaker 3 (02:38):
I do remember. I do like people talking about the
ESPN podcast because there weren't many back then. But anyway, coincidentally,
I he did.
Speaker 4 (02:46):
He's been doing a new thing on his site where
he's just breaking down three or four receivers per week,
you know, like and he he did a deep dive
on AJ Brown's first four games. And I'm not saying
you sit him because he stinks or anything like that,
but he AJ Brown has been a top three or
four guy for Matt for four or five years, an
(03:08):
unprecedented stretcher, being not quite Antonio Brown, but one of
the absolute.
Speaker 2 (03:13):
Best for a long justin Jefferson, I mean so.
Speaker 4 (03:18):
But he flat out says AJ Brown's not playing well.
You know that he is struggling. He is not getting
off pressman coverage, he's not being used.
Speaker 3 (03:28):
The way he has been in the past. They're not
moving them around, and it sounds like he's publicly frustrated too.
I forget what he tweeted or something this week.
Speaker 2 (03:35):
And he likes in a weird spot right now. He's
kind of doing the same thing he was doing this
time last year. Yeah, and I think I saw a picture.
As you know, I used to work for the Eagles
and in that Philadelphia market, so I've got a lot
of ex Twitter buddies. You're still in that market. He
like hung up like a license plate above his locker
that said always open on the license plate. Just weird
(03:57):
stuff like that. You know, wide receivers are goofballs.
Speaker 4 (04:00):
But he isn't playing to his normal level and he's
not producing to his normal level. And in the fantasy world,
when you draft an Eagle receiver, you know there's gonna
be a couple of weeks that they just run the.
Speaker 3 (04:08):
Ball and you get screwed.
Speaker 4 (04:11):
So he's gonna get certained this week tough. I think
he's a big avoid. I mean, in this doesn't apply
to a lot of people, but if you're just in
regular redraft, I'm sure you're starting him. You don't have
a better option than aj Brown. Sure, but I'm not
paying up for him in DFS. I might even entertain
trade options, you know. I mean, if someone's gonna give
you a lot for Brown right now, I'm like, maybe
(04:32):
I'd get out. And that breaks my heart. I think
he's had an awesome career and I bet he bounces back.
Speaker 2 (04:38):
I think so not this week, but maybe not this week.
That's a tough one. Yeah, another stardom sit them. This feels,
you know, pretty I don't. I don't know about obvious,
but how do you feel about Keenan Allen against the
Washington Commanders this weekend?
Speaker 3 (04:55):
I don't know what to do with the Chargers in general.
Speaker 2 (04:58):
Quentin Johnson too could be in this conversation.
Speaker 4 (05:00):
Yeah, I mean, McConkie's been like the most disappointing receiver
in fantasy. Like he's not even the he's like the
three now and when he was clearly the one, Johnston's
really stepped up. They've used him in much better ways.
People look at him like he's a prototypical Pickens metcalf
X on the line of scrimmage because he's big and fast.
Speaker 3 (05:20):
It's not what he plays.
Speaker 4 (05:21):
He plays a lot more like debo and and Harbaugh's
figured that out and is getting the most out of him.
Alan's the chain mover, and it's just not leaving much
for a conky. But I was don't know what to
do with the chargers. Is losing both tackles is such
a crippling blow? Are they gonna go They've been so
pass happy and nobody thinks about that with Harbaugh. Are
(05:42):
they just gonna go back to giving it to Hampton
a bunch more because he's looked better and better and better,
and Nausey's out of the mix. I mean, he's fantasy
gold right now. I don't know what to do with
the chargers. I'm kind of like just in a holding
pattern on all chargers right.
Speaker 2 (05:55):
Now and wait and see how they respond for that
tough loss in New York.
Speaker 4 (05:58):
But I would be putting offers in from a conky too.
I mean, like he's too good to have one catch
for nine yards type of right.
Speaker 2 (06:05):
I he's been on the bench for me the last
couple of weeks money, right, because he's just been giving
me absolutely nothing.
Speaker 3 (06:12):
He used the second round pick on the guy you know.
Speaker 2 (06:14):
Same Let's say the same game here the other side
of the the football field. Other sideline Deebo Samuel against
the Chargers. Terry mclaurin's out. Yes, okay, I.
Speaker 3 (06:27):
Knew he was highly questionable and was expected to be.
Speaker 2 (06:29):
Maybe not officially yet, but dealing with that quad injury
still and looking like at best he'll be, you know, limited.
Speaker 3 (06:35):
I expect him not to play. But Daniels is back.
Speaker 2 (06:37):
Daniels, it sounds like he's going to day.
Speaker 3 (06:40):
Yeah, at least he's practicing.
Speaker 2 (06:41):
And that was kind of my thought process that if
if Daniels is playing, Deebo Samuel, feels like time to
start him this week and against the Chargers.
Speaker 3 (06:48):
I wasn't big on him in the off season.
Speaker 4 (06:50):
I just think that there's so many receivers had him
pretty down my list, but he's been better than expected
as a commander.
Speaker 3 (06:57):
I mean, they have a good plan for him.
Speaker 4 (06:58):
They're getting the ball into him space, he's running people over.
So yeah, I would start him with confidence.
Speaker 2 (07:04):
Here's the sidam portion of this exercise from NFL dot Com.
Speaker 3 (07:08):
But they had a J brown as a start them.
Speaker 2 (07:09):
They had a J. Browns to start them.
Speaker 3 (07:11):
Yes, yes, they're playing the Broncos right, they are playing
the bran I couldn't disagree more. I would not been
my pick.
Speaker 2 (07:16):
I was. I was surprised. Their kind of thought was
like they have to keep their star receiver happy and
they'll go to them this week.
Speaker 3 (07:21):
I get the squeaky wheel thing. But it's a tough matchup.
Speaker 2 (07:24):
Very tough matchup. I don't want to start anybody against
patzer Tape, uh Sid Brian Thomas Chews or.
Speaker 3 (07:31):
One other Eagles. Note.
Speaker 4 (07:32):
I wouldn't mention because so we've done a lot of work.
You and I have talked a bunch about rushing yards
before first contact, and like it got way better for
the Steelers this past year this past week, well the Eagles.
Last year they were like four yards lable. Yeah, I mean,
Barkley had more yards before first contact over the course
(07:53):
of the year. He had like a thousand yards before
first contact. This year they're really struggling. I mean, that
old line is not where it used to be. So i'
mean just you know, Barkley didn't get worse overnight, but
now he's averaging like two point nine yards of cary
or something.
Speaker 2 (08:06):
Their offensive line is taking a step back this year.
He had his injuries, some injuries. Lane Johnson is getting
longer in the twos.
Speaker 4 (08:12):
Dickerson shouldn't be out there. And he's a great player,
but he shouldn't.
Speaker 3 (08:15):
Be out there, you know. Just don't assume that their
line is studley.
Speaker 2 (08:19):
No. And again, as I've said to you, I mean
my wife is from Philadelphia. My in laws are all
die hard Eagles fans. I worked in that market for
three years, so I've got a lot of friends there.
And despite the four and oh start, they are not
like all sunshine and rainbows.
Speaker 3 (08:32):
No, No, they got some concerns.
Speaker 2 (08:34):
Although, to be fair, unless they win the championship, They're
never sunshine and rainbows in Philadelphia.
Speaker 3 (08:40):
They're champagne problems. Mean they're gonna be okay?
Speaker 2 (08:42):
Yes, uh Sidham Brian Thomas against the Brian Thomas Junior
against the Chiefs. I'm starting to get to the play.
He's another one that I got, along with Live Mconkey,
that I'm really souring on.
Speaker 4 (08:52):
Yeah, he is not fit well in this offense, and
I think Jacksonville has been a very pleasant surprise as
a team. Yeah, the offense is still uneven. Lawrence is
still uneven.
Speaker 3 (09:03):
I dug it.
Speaker 4 (09:04):
I mean, in the fantasy world, I couldn't have invested
more in Travis Hunter, and that is not working out
at all right now. I thought Thomas. I thought the
only way Hunter would be relegated to not being great
in fantasy as if Thomas just blew him away as
a number one. And he's not either. I mean, strange
has been kind of interesting. They run the ball really
well that they do. Yeah, I mean Lawrence hasn't been
(09:26):
sacked yets this year. It started that today for the
first time.
Speaker 2 (09:29):
Like really, wow, impressive Stefan Diggs at Buffalo, his former team.
Speaker 4 (09:37):
I invested heavy in him, and I am putting him
in the lineup for sure. I love where May is.
Speaker 2 (09:42):
He just had his best week as a Patriot, Like he.
Speaker 4 (09:44):
Really looks healthy for the first time. He was absolutely featured.
Like remember we broke down Steels Patriots, Like a bunch
of different receivers are playing well now, He's like clearly
the one. All those other dudes have fallen off against
his old team. Yeah, the hot quarterback, right, and I
think Bill's defense is bad.
Speaker 2 (10:02):
They've got up a lot of points.
Speaker 4 (10:03):
Yeah, you know, you talk about you know these like
the Eagles, Like everyone assumes there's nothing wrong with these teams.
Speaker 3 (10:07):
Bill's tough matchup, not at all. Their defense is a problem.
Speaker 2 (10:12):
Sidham Jerry Judy versus the Vikings first career start for
Daniel gaber To cross the pund as well.
Speaker 4 (10:18):
I know we're gonna pick games, but I expect that
to be a very low scoring, bad, bad fantasy environment.
Speaker 2 (10:25):
Yeah, yeah, I think so too. And when you you know,
Gabriel in his first start in the National Football League, right,
that's a tough ask against a tough opponent, tough defensive coordinator.
And oh, by the way, you're gonna be a five
hour different time zone.
Speaker 4 (10:39):
Right and the defense is adjusted by that. I mean,
the Vikings are already been there. I'm my biggest juty
fan to begin with.
Speaker 2 (10:45):
Final sidem Matt T. Higgins against the Detroit Lions.
Speaker 3 (10:49):
Yes, yes, I'd.
Speaker 2 (10:51):
Sit everybody on that offense not named Jamar Chase.
Speaker 4 (10:53):
Yeah, I mean Higgins. If you're you might not have
the option to sit a guy like that.
Speaker 2 (10:58):
Again, if you've got injuries and you've got buy it's
your best option.
Speaker 4 (11:01):
But I'm not buying him in DFS if I'm like,
I'm starting Digs over him, And people have drafted Digs
six rounds later than Higgins. But I definitely start taking digs.
Speaker 2 (11:11):
Over this week.
Speaker 3 (11:12):
Absolutely. It's a way different, different, better situation.
Speaker 2 (11:14):
It's just gonna be it's gonna be tough for everyone
on that Bengals offense going forward.
Speaker 3 (11:17):
We'll talk about that game, but I think they lose
that one by a million.
Speaker 2 (11:21):
What do you say we do that when we return
on the other side of that? Is that sound like
a plan to you? Go around the NFL? There's a
little fantasy football for you. Yeah, big game tonight between
the Niners and the Rams that we will discuss.
Speaker 3 (11:32):
All your Rams.
Speaker 4 (11:33):
The Niners pass rush minus Bosa has been non existent.
I just expect Stafford tonight just sitting there patting it.
Pooka Adams high scoring on tonight by the Rams.
Speaker 2 (11:47):
We'll get We'll get into that a little bit more.
On the other side, Rams are eight and a half
point favorites at home.
Speaker 3 (11:53):
Three and a half.
Speaker 2 (11:55):
That's a that's movies. You'll you see that sometimes in
college football, but you.
Speaker 3 (12:00):
Will went up two points yesterday it was six and
a half in big of a move and I woke
up it went to eight and a half.
Speaker 2 (12:05):
As I can remember in a long time.
Speaker 3 (12:07):
Every Niner just keeps getting scratched, tough.
Speaker 2 (12:10):
Tough living in tough living in San Francisco right now. Yes, Uh,
we will get to that game and some others when
we return and go round the NFL on the other side. Well, Shooler,
Matt Williamson, It's the Drive on Steelers Nation Radio on
the Steelers Audio Network.
Speaker 1 (12:31):
Your tunes about Drive on your twenty four to seven
home of the Black and Gold Steelers Nation Radio.
Speaker 2 (12:58):
Rolling along here on the Drive on a Thursday, and
let's jump into some of the NFL action this weekend, Matt.
An important one tonight between San Francisco and LA A
pair of three and one teams. But I think a
pair of three and one teams that are going in
opposite directions as you just kind of alluded to before
the break.
Speaker 3 (13:16):
I think it's a terrible time for the Niners to
play the Rams and got to the chase. I think
they lose by a million. I mean, I do.
Speaker 4 (13:23):
Think the Shanahan h McVeigh knowledge of one another, Harbaugh, Tomlin,
you know that type feel might keep.
Speaker 2 (13:31):
The closed half time than you expect.
Speaker 4 (13:34):
But Niners can't run the ball, they can't rush the passer.
They got backups everywhere they're so injured. I mentioned I
hosted the Peacock and Williamson and Peacock's like he's a
Niner guy said, if it were up to me, I
would play the third string quarterback, not even mack Joe.
I would rest everybody lose by a million.
Speaker 2 (13:52):
Take one, just.
Speaker 4 (13:53):
Take one, watching right right right, because we get ready
for maybe Kittle comes back, and you know, just realize
that I'm just gonna take could dive in the first round.
Speaker 3 (14:01):
You know, Yeah, they're in trouble. I think.
Speaker 2 (14:03):
So you're confident laying the eight and a half with
the Rams.
Speaker 4 (14:05):
The big number just keeps going up. But yes, I
think Stafford throws all over.
Speaker 2 (14:09):
Them unless it gets to double digits. I'm gonna lay
the points at the Rams. Yeah as well too. On
to Sunday across the Pond. This is nice. Now we've
got the nine to thirty. The early morning games are back,
which is always nice. Minnesota, they were flying out of Duble.
Did you see the video that Bill Crawford got by
the way, No, of course, DV Morning Show, The DV
(14:31):
Morning Show, our buddy Bill Crawford. When they were leaving
the airport on Monday for all the Dublin's airport. All
the dve gang to fly back here. They saw the
Vikings waiting at their gate to fly to London. Oh wow,
and Crawford got like a video of them all standing
in line to get on the plane with that song.
You had a bad day as they were, you know,
(14:53):
like the day after a loss getting on the plane
to go to London, which I thought was pretty funny
there from Bill. But the Vikings have been in London
all week. I think Cleveland gets there or got there
this morning. Cleveland is starting a first time rookie third
round quarterback. Despite all that, though, Matt, I think the
respect for the Browns defense still remains, and we all
(15:13):
know defense travels Minnesota only three and a half point favorites.
Speaker 4 (15:17):
Yeah, and I bet a lot of people expected me
to say I think the Vikings bounce back and blow
their doors off.
Speaker 2 (15:22):
I thought it would be six and a half, seven
and a half.
Speaker 3 (15:24):
I'm taking the points.
Speaker 4 (15:26):
Yeah, and there's I think the Vikings are much better
than the Browns, and I think staying over there after
just being there, I think makes a ton of difference.
Is in a huge advantage in terms of just adjusting
your clocks and all those things. And Dylan Gabriel in
his first start is a lot different than Aaron Rodgers
as a forty some year old dude diagnosing the floor
(15:49):
as defense totally. I think the Browns.
Speaker 3 (15:51):
Defense is loaded and might be the best in the league.
Speaker 4 (15:54):
Peer was sick of me talking about that, and especially
Miles Garrett, sorry, folks, but he is maybe the best
for player on the planet right now.
Speaker 3 (16:01):
I think they keep it close.
Speaker 4 (16:03):
And I don't know what the O line situation is
for the Vikes, but they had a lot of issues
and I could just see this game thirteen nine ish,
But that won't get me three and a half.
Speaker 2 (16:13):
That won't get you three and a half.
Speaker 3 (16:14):
Ten. I'll take the points super low scoring.
Speaker 2 (16:20):
I we have a neighbor on our street, neighbors that
are from Cleveland. His name is Brian, and I was
talking him yesterday actually, m and I said told him
a lot of nice things about the Browns defense that
I said I would never say on air.
Speaker 3 (16:31):
Right right, I'm not afraid.
Speaker 2 (16:33):
I think three and a half, though, I think I'll
lay in with Minnesota. I don't think unless the Browns
reached that point in the season where they just give
up in the year's over, and that could happen by Halloween.
Speaker 3 (16:41):
I'd say that's probably on the horizon.
Speaker 2 (16:43):
But you know, they haven't hit that point yet, and
so I don't think anyone's going to blow them out.
But I'll lay three and a half with Minnesota for
them to win by four or five or six. Vegas
in Indianapolis talk about a tale of two teams going
in opposite directions. I think a lot of us expected
the Raiders to be a little bit better than they've
been this year. Yeah, the Colts to be worse than
(17:04):
they've been this year. That one a one o'clock start
in Indy where the Colts are favored by six and
a half points, nearly a touchdown.
Speaker 3 (17:10):
Yeah. I like Indy.
Speaker 4 (17:11):
I think Indy is a legit playoff team. Raiders zoh
line has been a real problem. Genti's getting yards on
his own the in the league, and then they lost
Colton Miller, their best offensive lineman, and Gino is trying
to do too much. You mentioned that the other day
Boers is banged up. The defense isn't real good. I
think Indy should have beat the Rams if a Donnie
(17:32):
Mitchell doesn't be a goof at the goal line.
Speaker 2 (17:34):
Yeah right, yeah, I am with you with everything you
just said. I just think the Raiders are in a
really bad spot. Yeah, they're not in California, but this
is another one of those West Coast teams traveling across
the country for one o'clock kickoff, which rarely goes their way. Yeah,
that is a nice number six and a half. But
I think the Colts can win by seven or ten
(17:55):
something like that.
Speaker 3 (17:56):
I think the Colts are legit. I do too, Yeah, yeah,
I do too.
Speaker 2 (17:58):
What their ultimate ceiling is, I don't know. I don't know,
but I don't think they're gonna fall off the face
of the earth, right son.
Speaker 4 (18:03):
I think they're one of the most pleasant surprises in
the league, and I think they're.
Speaker 2 (18:06):
Good in what could be one of the uglier games
of the weekend, Matt the New Orleans Saints host the
New York Giants. Spencer Ratler, Jackson Dart. It is the
lowest over under two.
Speaker 3 (18:18):
Sorry, there's two real stinkers other.
Speaker 2 (18:20):
Than Cleveland Minnesota. It's the lowest over under of the
of the week.
Speaker 4 (18:25):
I think Miami plays Carolina too, which is these two
bad games.
Speaker 3 (18:30):
I'm not gonna get a lot of time on Red Zone.
Speaker 2 (18:32):
Real rough.
Speaker 3 (18:33):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (18:33):
Tickets available as low as just twenty one dollars in
New Orleans. According to ESPN, New Orleans one and a
half point favorites.
Speaker 3 (18:41):
I don't know, I mean no elite Neighbors. I mean
that stinks.
Speaker 2 (18:45):
He's a star. He's so much fun to watch.
Speaker 4 (18:47):
So I didn't realize this till this morning either. But
much like the Jamar Chase Sewell conversation, should he take
Alt or should he take Neighbors in that draft, they
both got hurt in the same game against each other almost.
Speaker 3 (19:00):
Of the years, like this bad Mojo bad.
Speaker 4 (19:03):
I do think Dark gives them a shot in the arm,
and their D line is really good. Abdol Carter had
a breakout game. I wish Neighbors was in there, but
I'll take the.
Speaker 2 (19:11):
Giants plus one and a half.
Speaker 3 (19:13):
If you're gonna give me points in that game, I'll
take points.
Speaker 2 (19:15):
I think I'm with you. I just I think the
difference is that New York front. Yeah, I think they're
the best unity both teams yeah.
Speaker 3 (19:22):
Yeah, yeah, and so at least have something to hang
their hats.
Speaker 2 (19:24):
They have something to hang their hat on. They have
something that is well above.
Speaker 3 (19:27):
League average exactly.
Speaker 2 (19:29):
And I'm getting a point and a half. I'll do it.
I'll take it. What could be another ugly one. The
Jets are back home, still looking for their first win
of the season. The Cowboys are fresh off of their
Sunday Night football tie with the Green Bay Packers. Dallas
at MetLife Dallas two and a half point favorites.
Speaker 4 (19:49):
So I'm convinced Dallas games are gonna be like Bengals
games last year.
Speaker 2 (19:54):
It's just score forty to win and then you might
lose or tie.
Speaker 4 (19:56):
Anyways, sixty to seventy to eighty points a game they're
gonna he scored. And I just don't think that's how
the Jets are built. I don't think that's their style game,
you know. I don't think they go back and forth
blow for blow against Dak Prescott.
Speaker 3 (20:08):
I'll take the Cowboys.
Speaker 2 (20:09):
This is another one of those what do you got
to hang your hat on? For me? And I know
that Dak is a top ten quarterback in the league
right now.
Speaker 3 (20:17):
Playing like a top five one, playing like a.
Speaker 2 (20:19):
Top five to one maybe even right now. And I
know that that Dallas offense is good enough, yep, even
without Ceedee Lamb. They're still good enough. They'll score some points.
I'm with you.
Speaker 4 (20:28):
I'm a little worried with sauce on Pickens. Who else
does stuff? You know, we just saw that Steeler Park point.
Speaker 2 (20:35):
See Lamb there, they can really kind of focus on
George Pickens. But I think Dallas can find a way
to win that by three or four.
Speaker 3 (20:41):
Yeah, I think they're scoring everybody.
Speaker 2 (20:43):
I think so too. I'll lay the two and a
half with you.
Speaker 3 (20:45):
I thought the Jets Cowboys I did as well.
Speaker 2 (20:49):
I just and again remember that justin Field stat Owen
twenty five. When his team gives up more than twenty.
Speaker 3 (20:53):
Points, they're gonna get it more than twenty points.
Speaker 2 (20:56):
Really good one in Philly Broncos at Eagles. That's one
o'clock as well to.
Speaker 3 (21:02):
Uh, E hate that one o'clock in Philly and nasty enough.
That's awful. But what's the spread in that one?
Speaker 2 (21:08):
Philly three and a half point favorites.
Speaker 4 (21:10):
I thought it was over three. I'll take the I'll
take the points. I think den Vers Deke keeps that close.
Speaker 3 (21:15):
On the ball. This I hate going to Philly from
her west coast.
Speaker 2 (21:18):
This strikes me is that the Eagles do what they do,
and they find a way they kick a field goal
or something win or they block one or something at
the end, but they win by three. Yeah, so I'll
take the three and a half me too. I I
to me, that is one of those I think Vegas
is spot on with that line, and I will take
the points with the Broncos. But the Eagles find a
way to win an ugly one.
Speaker 4 (21:39):
So I mentioned earlier that Miles Garrett is playing out
of his mind, and I as good as he has been,
and I trust me, if you do this now, you're
part of the show in full time. If you bring
him up and say aything nice about you, the whole
town wants to egg your house. I mean, he's like
the biggest enemy main Street. He's so good right now
(21:59):
that he be my defensive MVP. But the close runner
up is Nick Benito. No one even knows who that is. Maybe,
I mean, he is such.
Speaker 2 (22:07):
A contract from the Broncos this offseason.
Speaker 3 (22:09):
I just want to mention his name because he is
a problem.
Speaker 2 (22:11):
Yeah, he has been an under the radar problem for
like a year and a half now, but I don't
think that that's gonna last much longer. If he keeps
playing the way that the defense is really good, very good.
Miami at Carolina. The weather might not be ugly, but
the play on the field will be there. In Charlotte,
Miami a one and a half point favorite.
Speaker 3 (22:32):
I'll take the point.
Speaker 2 (22:34):
This is one I would stay away from.
Speaker 4 (22:35):
I will watch this game and the Giant Saints game.
So little alive. I think Bryce Young might be on
the vergi getting benched again.
Speaker 2 (22:43):
He might be.
Speaker 4 (22:44):
I mean, Dalton's Dalton. You can maybe win a couple
more games without him. It's kind of like this, the
Giant Saints game. It's a bad game. Just give me points.
Speaker 2 (22:54):
Man. They once had Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold on
that roster.
Speaker 3 (22:57):
Did the Donald's lightning to Carolina Panthers?
Speaker 2 (23:01):
Did did you see that?
Speaker 3 (23:02):
From?
Speaker 2 (23:02):
From Baker Mayfield when he was asked about that, Like
he was asked in his press conference this past week,
something along the lines of, like you and Sam spent
time together in Carolina. You know, now you're both having success.
That's what it was, you know, after after after having success,
and you know, do you guys ever, you guys ever
look back on that time fondly? You know, anything like
(23:23):
the Baker was like, look back on that time. No, Terri,
that's like what he said. He's like, that was a
terrible time. But I'm happy for Sam and you know
all that stuff, and we will get Yeah, we will
get to that one here in just a minute. But
I thought that was pretty funny. Baltimore hosting Houston. Two
desperate teams. Still a lot of unknown around Lamar Jackson's status.
(23:46):
I don't think he is weeks. Yeah, I think I
think you're right on that, Houston, Matt They've given up
the least points in the league by far, by far,
and there's still one in three. Did they continue but
they they, you know, blew out Tennessee last week a
box that they needed to check. Does Houston continue to
kind of get back to it or could Baltimore maybe
(24:08):
draw a line in the sand and say, you know,
we're not going quietly into the night. Houston's a two
and a half point favorite in Baltimore. What was the
last time we saw someone the favorite in Baltimore?
Speaker 4 (24:17):
So one of these team's gonna be one in four
and since two thousand, one in four teams go to
the playoffs seven percent of.
Speaker 2 (24:26):
It's barring a miracle. Your season's over whichever team loses
this game.
Speaker 4 (24:29):
I think Baltimore could get back in the mix easier
than Houston if they were one and four. But it's
a nightmare from a Ravens perspective. At least you're gonna
prepare for Rush, you know, all week as opposed they
don't get thrown in the mix and looking terrible. At
(24:49):
least you can prepare all week as Rush as your
starter and play accordingly. You're not gonna have a design
quarterback runs and lamar stuff, and it'll be malpractice if
they don't run Henry fifty million times. Yeah, I mean
if it goes nowhere, you know, and he has not
got a workload hardly at all this year, So I
would think you should be able to at least accomplish that.
(25:13):
I just think what worries me more maybe is the
Ravens defense. It's one of the worst in the league
against brun one of the worst league against the pass.
And I know the Texans O line is bad, but
Stroud and Nico and Woody Marx is now the running back.
I don't love picking a road favorite in Baltimore, no
matter who their dressing, but I'm going to reluctantly.
Speaker 2 (25:35):
I think the Texans defense is the difference. Yes, I
just don't think Baltimore is going to be able to
do much against them, and that will lead to a
low scoring, kind of sloppy, ugly win for Houston. If
that numbers at three and a half, I'm taking the
points in Baltimore at two and a half, I'll lay
them with Houston.
Speaker 3 (25:51):
Yeah, me too.
Speaker 2 (25:53):
Arizona in a weird spot as well too. They're hosting
the Titans, still looking for their first win. That one,
four oh five pm at State Farm Stadium in Arizona.
The Cardinals seven and a half point favorites. It's a
big number.
Speaker 3 (26:07):
I know. I hate the.
Speaker 2 (26:09):
Titans are They're thirty two out of thirty two right
now in the league.
Speaker 3 (26:12):
But I can't big number.
Speaker 4 (26:13):
I can't take the Titans. There's too much wrong. But
I wouldn't bet the game. I mean to me, it
being over seven is. I hate that part of it,
and that's exactly why it's there. But I don't think
they'll block Arizona's front. I think Kyler's way ahead of
Ward at this point. Harrison started to, you know, really
(26:35):
step it up this past week. McBride's a really good player.
There's just Tennessee so bad they are.
Speaker 3 (26:40):
Yeah, I mean, but I wouldn't. The number is right
where it should be.
Speaker 2 (26:43):
It is right where it should be. I'm tempted to.
I think take the points and you know, Tennessee gets
some kind of garbage time touchdown at the end of
the back door cover. That's where I'm leaning right now.
But I agree with everything that you said.
Speaker 3 (26:54):
Arizona lost both there running backs.
Speaker 2 (26:56):
Both are running backs. Benson and Connor both out, so
hey fantasy fantasy reasons. Could be a big week for
McBride and and Marvin Harrison Junior. So uh Seattle matt
Another four H five game here, Seattle hosts Tampa Bay.
This is one of the more interesting great games. This
is a two top ten teams in the NFL right
now type game, Seattle three and a half point favorites
(27:17):
at home.
Speaker 4 (27:19):
What shocks me is I thought Seattle's d would be
one of the best, and it is. But their offense
is at the top of League two right now explosives.
They're running the ball pretty well. Darnold's playing great. I
thought he would come back to earth to some degree,
I didn't think he turned to a pumpkin playing great.
Seattle does not have the home field advantage people think.
But Tampa to Seattle, I mean like that, that's.
Speaker 2 (27:40):
One of the furthest flights you can make. Yeah, in
the in the NFL.
Speaker 4 (27:44):
I'll take the points and what I think could be
one of the best, most entertaining games of the week.
Speaker 2 (27:49):
So you'll take Tampa Bay plus three and a half.
Speaker 3 (27:51):
Because it's over three. Yeah, Tampa's good.
Speaker 2 (27:54):
Tampa's very good. Yeah, even despite being banged up on offense. Man,
this is another one of those. If it's four and
a half, I'm taking Tampa three and a half. I
think I'm still with you. I think I'll take the
points with Tampa. Yeah, that's a tough flight.
Speaker 3 (28:07):
Oh Yeah, that's not an easy situation at all.
Speaker 2 (28:09):
That's a that's a that's a very I mean, I
think the only further flight you can get in the
NFL is Seattle to Miami. From Miami is the only
further the only further road trip that you can make.
Speaker 3 (28:18):
Even like New England, Arizona's not as far right right.
Speaker 2 (28:21):
Right, Cincinnati at home for twenty five hosting Detroit, one
of the bigger road spreads you'll ever see for a
road favorite ten and a half points. The Lions are
favored by I.
Speaker 4 (28:32):
Don't think it's big enough because the way the Lions
are constructed, and it's a Dan Campbell thing. They blow
teams out, they do. I mean like there's some teams
like the Chiefs that were at the season.
Speaker 2 (28:43):
They blew out the Packers and the Commanders. Yeah, they
blew out the Bears.
Speaker 3 (28:47):
Yeah, I mean they they take back.
Speaker 2 (28:49):
Sorry they got blown out.
Speaker 3 (28:50):
They got a big part of Packers didn't go their way.
Speaker 4 (28:52):
But they have a history of the last couple of
years when they play a bad team, they win by thirty,
you know. And I think that's exactly what Cincinnati is,
is they really bad team.
Speaker 2 (29:01):
That's a great call by you. I was nervous about
that number, but you're absolutely right. The Lions blow out.
They regularly blow out bad teams.
Speaker 3 (29:07):
They do. They don't they'll keep the foot of the
accelerator down, going down, right right.
Speaker 2 (29:12):
Yeah, it's a great call by you.
Speaker 3 (29:14):
Give to MONTGOMERYO have two and fifty yards between them.
Speaker 2 (29:17):
Because that's more like not like twelve and a half
or thirteen and a half.
Speaker 4 (29:20):
What since he's fan base going to be like at
halftime if they're losing twenty to nothing and they can't
even like get a first.
Speaker 2 (29:26):
Down, crying in their skyline Shay. The Chargers hosting the Commanders.
This is another intriguing one, especially if Daniels's back. Washington's
at that point now where they got to start stacking
some wins. Chargers coming off a loss that's going to
tick them off at MetLife last week against the Giants,
Chargers two and a half point favorites at home.
Speaker 4 (29:47):
At home again, talk about this the fantasy segment. Their
tackle situation has me really in limbo for.
Speaker 2 (29:55):
The worst in the league right now, from maybe the
best to maybe the worst exactly.
Speaker 4 (29:59):
And that's a the worst position for that to happen,
except for quarterback. But I have a lot of but
they were so promising before that, and I trust Harbaugh,
I trust Herbert.
Speaker 3 (30:08):
I love that it's at home.
Speaker 4 (30:09):
They're not going across the country for a one o'clock
start or any of that nonsense.
Speaker 3 (30:14):
And I don't know that Washington can take advantage of
that tackle. Their edge guys aren't great, you know, they
don't know these stertling pass rushers. I guess I'll take
the Chargers, but I don't feel strong about it. That's
kind of a coin flip for me at that At
that line.
Speaker 2 (30:29):
I think I'm gonna lay the points with the Chargers.
Daniel's gonna have to knock some rust off. I don't
know what they expect from after being out for a
little bit.
Speaker 3 (30:36):
He didn't blow me away in week one or two
when he was out there, right, I'm.
Speaker 2 (30:40):
Not worried about it the same here, but I would
I would echo that sentiment. I think just at home,
Harball gets those guys hunkered down, finds a way to
get it done. Not pretty, but by more than two
and a half. Yeah, they can win by three, four,
something like that.
Speaker 3 (30:53):
They'll have a good game plan for Daniels, They'll keep
them pretty wrapped.
Speaker 2 (30:56):
I'll lay the points there with the Chargers. Finally, Matt
Sunday Night football, the Buffalo Bills host the New England
Patriots for an AFC East clash, one that has gone
Buffalo's web. I mean most divisional clashes there have gone
Buffalo's way for a long time, particularly at home. They
are seven and a half point favorites at Orchard Park
(31:18):
against the Patriots.
Speaker 3 (31:19):
I thought this would be closer to ten.
Speaker 2 (31:22):
At that number, I thought two would be nine and
a half ten.
Speaker 4 (31:24):
Yeah, I'm still taking New England though. Yeah, I'm so
in on Drake May. And I was listening to a
great podcast today that was really breaking down Patriot x'es
and o's and how impressed they are with McDaniels the
offensive coordinator.
Speaker 3 (31:38):
Of how he's melded. Is that a word, I'll use
that a lot.
Speaker 4 (31:41):
Okay, the Brady stuff that he used to do with
the Cam Newton stuff he used to do in New
England and Drake May is that doesn't mean he's Tom
Brady and Cam Newton wrapped into one, but he's a
perfect blend of the two that he has so much
his disposal offensive coordinator wise, because all the stuff he
(32:02):
did with Newton as a runner and a physicality and
all the smart stuff Brady did. He doesn't do it
as well as either. But they're hard to play against
on offense and the defensive line gets after you a
little bit. I just think the Bill's defense is being
slept on for how bad it is.
Speaker 2 (32:17):
Like they're a great team defense needs.
Speaker 3 (32:19):
Some defenses are very good.
Speaker 2 (32:21):
It's not melted to blend or to combine good.
Speaker 4 (32:24):
Okay, That's how I've used it, and always it comes
out of my mouth. I'm like, I'm not sure I
used that right.
Speaker 2 (32:30):
Example of a sentence. Australia's wine makers have melted modern
science with traditional art.
Speaker 3 (32:35):
Huh.
Speaker 2 (32:35):
Okay, look at you.
Speaker 3 (32:37):
We're Meldon cam Newton and Tom Brady.
Speaker 2 (32:38):
Those seven years of creative writing a pitch to Johnstown
or paying off partner. This to me, I'm laying the
points of Buffalo. Okay, I agree with everything that you said.
Their defense is going to give up points. I'm with
you in terms of Drake May, I think is going
to be a very good quarterback. I think New England
is starting to move in the right direction under Rable.
But I think this one means a lot to Buffalo.
(33:00):
For decades and decades, they got pushed around by the Patriots.
The last time they're ever going to host them there
at Orchard Park before that stadium goes away this year.
Speaker 4 (33:08):
And I bet they look at New England in the
division like, if anyone's going to catch us in the
next couple of years, let's squash a little brother in
the each gets bigger than me, exactly right, Like.
Speaker 2 (33:19):
This is one that even though the Bills, you know,
in this Josh Allen post, Tom Brady now Josh Allen era,
they've had the very clear upper hand in this rivalry.
Sure they want to continue to make sure it's that way.
Speaker 3 (33:30):
Little brother's starting to lift weights and look a little.
Speaker 2 (33:32):
Better, especially on Sunday Night football. The last time we're
going to host these guys in our.
Speaker 3 (33:39):
State environment, people jumping through tables, and.
Speaker 2 (33:41):
You know that they only have one one o'clock home
game at Orchard Park this year. I was talking to
one of my buddies from college, is from Rochester, New York,
so he's a big Buffalo Bills fan, and he took
his two daughters to the game last week and he
was like, I had to take him to that one
because it's the only one o'clock start all season. He's like,
all the rest of our home games are or thirty
or night games or Monday night.
Speaker 3 (34:01):
Get take Bill's night game.
Speaker 2 (34:03):
No, no chance, no chance.
Speaker 3 (34:06):
Little parenting tip for you guys, Yes.
Speaker 2 (34:10):
That's an environment I would like to avoid. Yeah, and
especially it's pretty soon they're gonna be pretty stinking cold
as well too, right, But a great place to h
to go see a football game for sure, if you're
if you're of proper age to experience the environment. Yes,
So that's our Week five thoughts across the slate of
the NFL. We'll come back on the other side. Put
(34:30):
a bow on this thing, West Shooler, Matt Williamson. It
is the Drive on Steelers Nation Radio on the Steelers
Audio Network, your tunes.
Speaker 1 (34:43):
About Drive on your twenty four to seven home of
the Black and Goal Steelers Nation Radio.
Speaker 2 (35:18):
Final segment of the Drive here and Matt, some interesting
news coming across the timeline. The NFL appears to perhaps
have fixed concerns with their kickoff after a major overhaul
and and you know some some minor tweaks as well
to major overhaul a year ago and some minor dynamic
(35:39):
kickoffs and then some minor tweaks this year. Teams have
returned through the first four weeks of the season seventy
eight point three percent of kickoffs. That's the highest rate
over that period in nineteen years the NFL has seen
so far through four weeks five hundred and nineteen kickoff returns.
That's the most through four weeks in the history of
(36:00):
the league.
Speaker 4 (36:01):
So two training camps ago spent so much time talking
about the dynamic kickoff.
Speaker 3 (36:11):
Yeah, they got it all figured out. What's everybody gonna do?
It's the story of the lifetime.
Speaker 4 (36:16):
Then you go through the whole year and it's like
stinks not not, I mean it really it's different, but
it didn't really matter much. I mean, you don't have
to dedicate great resources to kickoff this camp. I don't
know if we brought up the new kickoff rules once
and they made a ton of difference and I love
them and the kickoffs matter again, so that is super cool.
(36:37):
They have fixed it. I think it's the best thing
you could do. I have one complaint is you can't
do surprise on sides, but oh.
Speaker 2 (36:43):
Well, I'm with you on that, But I do I
think they have found the sweet spot here.
Speaker 3 (36:48):
Yes, kickoffs matter.
Speaker 2 (36:50):
Kickoffs matter the field position, I think overall, and I
don't have the exact numbers on this, but is better
for the offenses?
Speaker 3 (36:57):
Yes, what's the offense needs that help?
Speaker 2 (37:00):
Needs that help? And we all know, like if Arthur
Motes were sitting right here, he'd be banging the table. Yeah,
everything we legislated in the league is for the offense. Yeah,
that's the way it is.
Speaker 3 (37:09):
It's because the lines are as good as D line.
Speaker 2 (37:11):
The lines are as good as D lines, and people
like to see points as well too. As much as
people talk about.
Speaker 3 (37:15):
Smatters and fantasy football, and.
Speaker 2 (37:17):
Only pitt fans want to watch a thirteen to nine game,
nobody else wants to. And so yeah, I think that
this is good news.
Speaker 3 (37:25):
They did a good thing. I think they made the
sport better.
Speaker 2 (37:27):
I think they found the sweet spot. Last year, it
was not the impact that we many of us anticipated,
not just us on Steelers Nation Radio throughout training camp,
but I think everybody around.
Speaker 3 (37:37):
The football world didn't change the world much.
Speaker 2 (37:40):
But this year, with some of the tweaks, with some
of the you know, thirty five yard line instead of
the twenty five yard line, big difference. Blast, You're you're
You're making teams put the ball in play more, which
is good. Now. I think the next step of this,
Matt is I think now that there's been a real
baseline and an over of over a year of sample size,
I think we'll start seeing some more explosive returns. Eventually
(38:02):
off exists. I think that's kind of the next step.
Speaker 4 (38:05):
And I also think teams will be more open to
keeping the Devin Hester return specialist types as opposed to
Dante too. Throw Caleb Johnson back there and see if
he's any good at it, you like, I think teams
will be like, I'm gonna use a six round pick
on the one hundred and eighty pound guy that runs
a four to two that can fly.
Speaker 2 (38:24):
Especially. This is the final piece of this. Since this
is working, since this is sticking on in the NFL,
I gotta think it's only a matter of time before
we see this in college football as well too.
Speaker 3 (38:33):
No.
Speaker 2 (38:33):
Probably, yeah, And when that's the case, then I think
you'll really have the specialist guys because they'll start to
develop and show their skill set in college.
Speaker 3 (38:41):
But space players in college have existed more so three archers. No, yeah,
there's all.
Speaker 4 (38:46):
That space and people are slower, you know, like you
can find those guys exist. That's the league just didn't
want them because they're tiny and I can't use them
on offense.
Speaker 2 (38:54):
Didn't have a three archer reference on my Bengo car today.
But right, that's a good way to shut it down.
A big thank you to Bob Labriola for joining us
in the first hour of the show. As always, a
shout out to our video producer Tyler V mister TV
for putting the YouTube thing together for us. For Matt Williamson,
I'm Wes Shuler. Take care everybody, and we'll talk to
(39:15):
you as soon as always, you know where to find us.
It's on your twenty four to seven home of the
Black and Gold. It's Steelers Nation Radio on the Steelers
Audio Network
Your tunes about drive on your twenty four to seven
home of the Black and Goal Steelers Nation Radio.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
Good evening, Steeler Nation, how we do it? Well, that's
good us too, West Jeeler, Matt Williamson. It is our
number two of the drive here on Steelers Nation Radio
on this.
Speaker 3 (00:25):
Good evening, good evening evening, the five o'clock hours.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
The evening is the evening, especially now, Matt, where we
are getting dangerously closer and closer to that time where
you and I are going to be driving home in
the dark.
Speaker 3 (00:37):
Everage, Yeah, leaves are falling.
Speaker 4 (00:39):
I think I'm going to do a little leaf scooping
this weekend, a bye week, you know, things like that.
Speaker 2 (00:43):
I think I'm gonna get the last the last lawnmow,
last grass cut this this weekend. Probably the same thing
with the twenty twenty five calendar year. Yes, certainly good.
Speaker 4 (00:53):
Good bye week project too. Probably getting a haircut on
the bye week, you know, things like.
Speaker 2 (00:58):
That, got mine hero yea yeah is our video producer
TV looks over there and rubs it is that that
issue rubs his buzz cut and Matt, what do you
say we do a little fantasy football focus here to
get us started at an hour number two, a little
stardom sid them from NFL dot com. Here some big
names with some tough matchups this weekend.
Speaker 4 (01:20):
Yeah, it's an interesting slate of games. And there's a
lot of injuries in the fantasy.
Speaker 2 (01:23):
World, right, a lot of injuries as well.
Speaker 4 (01:24):
And we also four teams on by I mean in
the fantasy world when you started hitting bi week injury
time and that's when the men become men, you know, Yeah.
Speaker 2 (01:36):
Exactly A J Brown against the Denver Broncos start.
Speaker 4 (01:42):
Okay, my favorite. I'm not sure if I've referenced Matt
harmon On here with you, but he actually joined us
at the Combine. I've known Matt for a long time.
He works for Yahoo. He's a fantasy analyst, but he
also has a site reception Perception dot com. He is
widely regarded and I one hundred degree as the best
(02:04):
wide receiver expert.
Speaker 2 (02:05):
I remember talking with him at the combine. I think
I might have been doing like an because you and
Dale would usually have a third person for like yeah, yeah,
sometimes it was Max, sometimes it was Mode, sometimes it
was me. I do feel like I was there when
you when you mentioned that reception perception. I feel like.
Speaker 4 (02:20):
He's like your age because I grabbed him and I
talked on Twitter a million times and I grabbed him
at the first and he was super nice. She's like
I remember Matt Williamson back on the ESPN days when
I was a kid listening to you know, his podcast.
Speaker 2 (02:34):
The young people at the combine who toot your horn
about how great.
Speaker 3 (02:38):
I do remember. I do like people talking about the
ESPN podcast because there weren't many back then. But anyway, coincidentally,
I he did.
Speaker 4 (02:46):
He's been doing a new thing on his site where
he's just breaking down three or four receivers per week,
you know, like and he he did a deep dive
on AJ Brown's first four games. And I'm not saying
you sit him because he stinks or anything like that,
but he AJ Brown has been a top three or
four guy for Matt for four or five years, an
(03:08):
unprecedented stretcher, being not quite Antonio Brown, but one of
the absolute.
Speaker 2 (03:13):
Best for a long justin Jefferson, I mean so.
Speaker 4 (03:18):
But he flat out says AJ Brown's not playing well.
You know that he is struggling. He is not getting
off pressman coverage, he's not being used.
Speaker 3 (03:28):
The way he has been in the past. They're not
moving them around, and it sounds like he's publicly frustrated too.
I forget what he tweeted or something this week.
Speaker 2 (03:35):
And he likes in a weird spot right now. He's
kind of doing the same thing he was doing this
time last year. Yeah, and I think I saw a picture.
As you know, I used to work for the Eagles
and in that Philadelphia market, so I've got a lot
of ex Twitter buddies. You're still in that market. He
like hung up like a license plate above his locker
that said always open on the license plate. Just weird
(03:57):
stuff like that. You know, wide receivers are goofballs.
Speaker 4 (04:00):
But he isn't playing to his normal level and he's
not producing to his normal level. And in the fantasy world,
when you draft an Eagle receiver, you know there's gonna
be a couple of weeks that they just run the.
Speaker 3 (04:08):
Ball and you get screwed.
Speaker 4 (04:11):
So he's gonna get certained this week tough. I think
he's a big avoid. I mean, in this doesn't apply
to a lot of people, but if you're just in
regular redraft, I'm sure you're starting him. You don't have
a better option than aj Brown. Sure, but I'm not
paying up for him in DFS. I might even entertain
trade options, you know. I mean, if someone's gonna give
you a lot for Brown right now, I'm like, maybe
(04:32):
I'd get out. And that breaks my heart. I think
he's had an awesome career and I bet he bounces back.
Speaker 2 (04:38):
I think so not this week, but maybe not this week.
That's a tough one. Yeah, another stardom sit them. This feels,
you know, pretty I don't. I don't know about obvious,
but how do you feel about Keenan Allen against the
Washington Commanders this weekend?
Speaker 3 (04:55):
I don't know what to do with the Chargers in general.
Speaker 2 (04:58):
Quentin Johnson too could be in this conversation.
Speaker 4 (05:00):
Yeah, I mean, McConkie's been like the most disappointing receiver
in fantasy. Like he's not even the he's like the
three now and when he was clearly the one, Johnston's
really stepped up. They've used him in much better ways.
People look at him like he's a prototypical Pickens metcalf
X on the line of scrimmage because he's big and fast.
Speaker 3 (05:20):
It's not what he plays.
Speaker 4 (05:21):
He plays a lot more like debo and and Harbaugh's
figured that out and is getting the most out of him.
Alan's the chain mover, and it's just not leaving much
for a conky. But I was don't know what to
do with the chargers. Is losing both tackles is such
a crippling blow? Are they gonna go They've been so
pass happy and nobody thinks about that with Harbaugh. Are
(05:42):
they just gonna go back to giving it to Hampton
a bunch more because he's looked better and better and better,
and Nausey's out of the mix. I mean, he's fantasy
gold right now. I don't know what to do with
the chargers. I'm kind of like just in a holding
pattern on all chargers right.
Speaker 2 (05:55):
Now and wait and see how they respond for that
tough loss in New York.
Speaker 4 (05:58):
But I would be putting offers in from a conky too.
I mean, like he's too good to have one catch
for nine yards type of right.
Speaker 2 (06:05):
I he's been on the bench for me the last
couple of weeks money, right, because he's just been giving
me absolutely nothing.
Speaker 3 (06:12):
He used the second round pick on the guy you know.
Speaker 2 (06:14):
Same Let's say the same game here the other side
of the the football field. Other sideline Deebo Samuel against
the Chargers. Terry mclaurin's out. Yes, okay, I.
Speaker 3 (06:27):
Knew he was highly questionable and was expected to be.
Speaker 2 (06:29):
Maybe not officially yet, but dealing with that quad injury
still and looking like at best he'll be, you know, limited.
Speaker 3 (06:35):
I expect him not to play. But Daniels is back.
Speaker 2 (06:37):
Daniels, it sounds like he's going to day.
Speaker 3 (06:40):
Yeah, at least he's practicing.
Speaker 2 (06:41):
And that was kind of my thought process that if
if Daniels is playing, Deebo Samuel, feels like time to
start him this week and against the Chargers.
Speaker 3 (06:48):
I wasn't big on him in the off season.
Speaker 4 (06:50):
I just think that there's so many receivers had him
pretty down my list, but he's been better than expected
as a commander.
Speaker 3 (06:57):
I mean, they have a good plan for him.
Speaker 4 (06:58):
They're getting the ball into him space, he's running people over.
So yeah, I would start him with confidence.
Speaker 2 (07:04):
Here's the sidam portion of this exercise from NFL dot Com.
Speaker 3 (07:08):
But they had a J brown as a start them.
Speaker 2 (07:09):
They had a J. Browns to start them.
Speaker 3 (07:11):
Yes, yes, they're playing the Broncos right, they are playing
the bran I couldn't disagree more. I would not been
my pick.
Speaker 2 (07:16):
I was. I was surprised. Their kind of thought was
like they have to keep their star receiver happy and
they'll go to them this week.
Speaker 3 (07:21):
I get the squeaky wheel thing. But it's a tough matchup.
Speaker 2 (07:24):
Very tough matchup. I don't want to start anybody against
patzer Tape, uh Sid Brian Thomas Chews or.
Speaker 3 (07:31):
One other Eagles. Note.
Speaker 4 (07:32):
I wouldn't mention because so we've done a lot of work.
You and I have talked a bunch about rushing yards
before first contact, and like it got way better for
the Steelers this past year this past week, well the Eagles.
Last year they were like four yards lable. Yeah, I mean,
Barkley had more yards before first contact over the course
(07:53):
of the year. He had like a thousand yards before
first contact. This year they're really struggling. I mean, that
old line is not where it used to be. So i'
mean just you know, Barkley didn't get worse overnight, but
now he's averaging like two point nine yards of cary
or something.
Speaker 2 (08:06):
Their offensive line is taking a step back this year.
He had his injuries, some injuries. Lane Johnson is getting
longer in the twos.
Speaker 4 (08:12):
Dickerson shouldn't be out there. And he's a great player,
but he shouldn't.
Speaker 3 (08:15):
Be out there, you know. Just don't assume that their
line is studley.
Speaker 2 (08:19):
No. And again, as I've said to you, I mean
my wife is from Philadelphia. My in laws are all
die hard Eagles fans. I worked in that market for
three years, so I've got a lot of friends there.
And despite the four and oh start, they are not
like all sunshine and rainbows.
Speaker 3 (08:32):
No, No, they got some concerns.
Speaker 2 (08:34):
Although, to be fair, unless they win the championship, They're
never sunshine and rainbows in Philadelphia.
Speaker 3 (08:40):
They're champagne problems. Mean they're gonna be okay?
Speaker 2 (08:42):
Yes, uh Sidham Brian Thomas against the Brian Thomas Junior
against the Chiefs. I'm starting to get to the play.
He's another one that I got, along with Live Mconkey,
that I'm really souring on.
Speaker 4 (08:52):
Yeah, he is not fit well in this offense, and
I think Jacksonville has been a very pleasant surprise as
a team. Yeah, the offense is still uneven. Lawrence is
still uneven.
Speaker 3 (09:03):
I dug it.
Speaker 4 (09:04):
I mean, in the fantasy world, I couldn't have invested
more in Travis Hunter, and that is not working out
at all right now. I thought Thomas. I thought the
only way Hunter would be relegated to not being great
in fantasy as if Thomas just blew him away as
a number one. And he's not either. I mean, strange
has been kind of interesting. They run the ball really
well that they do. Yeah, I mean Lawrence hasn't been
(09:26):
sacked yets this year. It started that today for the
first time.
Speaker 2 (09:29):
Like really, wow, impressive Stefan Diggs at Buffalo, his former team.
Speaker 4 (09:37):
I invested heavy in him, and I am putting him
in the lineup for sure. I love where May is.
Speaker 2 (09:42):
He just had his best week as a Patriot, Like he.
Speaker 4 (09:44):
Really looks healthy for the first time. He was absolutely featured.
Like remember we broke down Steels Patriots, Like a bunch
of different receivers are playing well now, He's like clearly
the one. All those other dudes have fallen off against
his old team. Yeah, the hot quarterback, right, and I
think Bill's defense is bad.
Speaker 2 (10:02):
They've got up a lot of points.
Speaker 4 (10:03):
Yeah, you know, you talk about you know these like
the Eagles, Like everyone assumes there's nothing wrong with these teams.
Speaker 3 (10:07):
Bill's tough matchup, not at all. Their defense is a problem.
Speaker 2 (10:12):
Sidham Jerry Judy versus the Vikings first career start for
Daniel gaber To cross the pund as well.
Speaker 4 (10:18):
I know we're gonna pick games, but I expect that
to be a very low scoring, bad, bad fantasy environment.
Speaker 2 (10:25):
Yeah, yeah, I think so too. And when you you know,
Gabriel in his first start in the National Football League, right,
that's a tough ask against a tough opponent, tough defensive coordinator.
And oh, by the way, you're gonna be a five
hour different time zone.
Speaker 4 (10:39):
Right and the defense is adjusted by that. I mean,
the Vikings are already been there. I'm my biggest juty
fan to begin with.
Speaker 2 (10:45):
Final sidem Matt T. Higgins against the Detroit Lions.
Speaker 3 (10:49):
Yes, yes, I'd.
Speaker 2 (10:51):
Sit everybody on that offense not named Jamar Chase.
Speaker 4 (10:53):
Yeah, I mean Higgins. If you're you might not have
the option to sit a guy like that.
Speaker 2 (10:58):
Again, if you've got injuries and you've got buy it's
your best option.
Speaker 4 (11:01):
But I'm not buying him in DFS if I'm like,
I'm starting Digs over him, And people have drafted Digs
six rounds later than Higgins. But I definitely start taking digs.
Speaker 2 (11:11):
Over this week.
Speaker 3 (11:12):
Absolutely. It's a way different, different, better situation.
Speaker 2 (11:14):
It's just gonna be it's gonna be tough for everyone
on that Bengals offense going forward.
Speaker 3 (11:17):
We'll talk about that game, but I think they lose
that one by a million.
Speaker 2 (11:21):
What do you say we do that when we return
on the other side of that? Is that sound like
a plan to you? Go around the NFL? There's a
little fantasy football for you. Yeah, big game tonight between
the Niners and the Rams that we will discuss.
Speaker 3 (11:32):
All your Rams.
Speaker 4 (11:33):
The Niners pass rush minus Bosa has been non existent.
I just expect Stafford tonight just sitting there patting it.
Pooka Adams high scoring on tonight by the Rams.
Speaker 2 (11:47):
We'll get We'll get into that a little bit more.
On the other side, Rams are eight and a half
point favorites at home.
Speaker 3 (11:53):
Three and a half.
Speaker 2 (11:55):
That's a that's movies. You'll you see that sometimes in
college football, but you.
Speaker 3 (12:00):
Will went up two points yesterday it was six and
a half in big of a move and I woke
up it went to eight and a half.
Speaker 2 (12:05):
As I can remember in a long time.
Speaker 3 (12:07):
Every Niner just keeps getting scratched, tough.
Speaker 2 (12:10):
Tough living in tough living in San Francisco right now. Yes, Uh,
we will get to that game and some others when
we return and go round the NFL on the other side. Well, Shooler,
Matt Williamson, It's the Drive on Steelers Nation Radio on
the Steelers Audio Network.
Speaker 1 (12:31):
Your tunes about Drive on your twenty four to seven
home of the Black and Gold Steelers Nation Radio.
Speaker 2 (12:58):
Rolling along here on the Drive on a Thursday, and
let's jump into some of the NFL action this weekend, Matt.
An important one tonight between San Francisco and LA A
pair of three and one teams. But I think a
pair of three and one teams that are going in
opposite directions as you just kind of alluded to before
the break.
Speaker 3 (13:16):
I think it's a terrible time for the Niners to
play the Rams and got to the chase. I think
they lose by a million. I mean, I do.
Speaker 4 (13:23):
Think the Shanahan h McVeigh knowledge of one another, Harbaugh, Tomlin,
you know that type feel might keep.
Speaker 2 (13:31):
The closed half time than you expect.
Speaker 4 (13:34):
But Niners can't run the ball, they can't rush the passer.
They got backups everywhere they're so injured. I mentioned I
hosted the Peacock and Williamson and Peacock's like he's a
Niner guy said, if it were up to me, I
would play the third string quarterback, not even mack Joe.
I would rest everybody lose by a million.
Speaker 2 (13:52):
Take one, just.
Speaker 4 (13:53):
Take one, watching right right right, because we get ready
for maybe Kittle comes back, and you know, just realize
that I'm just gonna take could dive in the first round.
Speaker 3 (14:01):
You know, Yeah, they're in trouble. I think.
Speaker 2 (14:03):
So you're confident laying the eight and a half with
the Rams.
Speaker 4 (14:05):
The big number just keeps going up. But yes, I
think Stafford throws all over.
Speaker 2 (14:09):
Them unless it gets to double digits. I'm gonna lay
the points at the Rams. Yeah as well too. On
to Sunday across the Pond. This is nice. Now we've
got the nine to thirty. The early morning games are back,
which is always nice. Minnesota, they were flying out of Duble.
Did you see the video that Bill Crawford got by
the way, No, of course, DV Morning Show, The DV
(14:31):
Morning Show, our buddy Bill Crawford. When they were leaving
the airport on Monday for all the Dublin's airport. All
the dve gang to fly back here. They saw the
Vikings waiting at their gate to fly to London. Oh wow,
and Crawford got like a video of them all standing
in line to get on the plane with that song.
You had a bad day as they were, you know,
(14:53):
like the day after a loss getting on the plane
to go to London, which I thought was pretty funny
there from Bill. But the Vikings have been in London
all week. I think Cleveland gets there or got there
this morning. Cleveland is starting a first time rookie third
round quarterback. Despite all that, though, Matt, I think the
respect for the Browns defense still remains, and we all
(15:13):
know defense travels Minnesota only three and a half point favorites.
Speaker 4 (15:17):
Yeah, and I bet a lot of people expected me
to say I think the Vikings bounce back and blow
their doors off.
Speaker 2 (15:22):
I thought it would be six and a half, seven
and a half.
Speaker 3 (15:24):
I'm taking the points.
Speaker 4 (15:26):
Yeah, and there's I think the Vikings are much better
than the Browns, and I think staying over there after
just being there, I think makes a ton of difference.
Is in a huge advantage in terms of just adjusting
your clocks and all those things. And Dylan Gabriel in
his first start is a lot different than Aaron Rodgers
as a forty some year old dude diagnosing the floor
(15:49):
as defense totally. I think the Browns.
Speaker 3 (15:51):
Defense is loaded and might be the best in the league.
Speaker 4 (15:54):
Peer was sick of me talking about that, and especially
Miles Garrett, sorry, folks, but he is maybe the best
for player on the planet right now.
Speaker 3 (16:01):
I think they keep it close.
Speaker 4 (16:03):
And I don't know what the O line situation is
for the Vikes, but they had a lot of issues
and I could just see this game thirteen nine ish,
But that won't get me three and a half.
Speaker 2 (16:13):
That won't get you three and a half.
Speaker 3 (16:14):
Ten. I'll take the points super low scoring.
Speaker 2 (16:20):
I we have a neighbor on our street, neighbors that
are from Cleveland. His name is Brian, and I was
talking him yesterday actually, m and I said told him
a lot of nice things about the Browns defense that
I said I would never say on air.
Speaker 3 (16:31):
Right right, I'm not afraid.
Speaker 2 (16:33):
I think three and a half, though, I think I'll
lay in with Minnesota. I don't think unless the Browns
reached that point in the season where they just give
up in the year's over, and that could happen by Halloween.
Speaker 3 (16:41):
I'd say that's probably on the horizon.
Speaker 2 (16:43):
But you know, they haven't hit that point yet, and
so I don't think anyone's going to blow them out.
But I'll lay three and a half with Minnesota for
them to win by four or five or six. Vegas
in Indianapolis talk about a tale of two teams going
in opposite directions. I think a lot of us expected
the Raiders to be a little bit better than they've
been this year. Yeah, the Colts to be worse than
(17:04):
they've been this year. That one a one o'clock start
in Indy where the Colts are favored by six and
a half points, nearly a touchdown.
Speaker 3 (17:10):
Yeah. I like Indy.
Speaker 4 (17:11):
I think Indy is a legit playoff team. Raiders zoh
line has been a real problem. Genti's getting yards on
his own the in the league, and then they lost
Colton Miller, their best offensive lineman, and Gino is trying
to do too much. You mentioned that the other day
Boers is banged up. The defense isn't real good. I
think Indy should have beat the Rams if a Donnie
(17:32):
Mitchell doesn't be a goof at the goal line.
Speaker 2 (17:34):
Yeah right, yeah, I am with you with everything you
just said. I just think the Raiders are in a
really bad spot. Yeah, they're not in California, but this
is another one of those West Coast teams traveling across
the country for one o'clock kickoff, which rarely goes their way. Yeah,
that is a nice number six and a half. But
I think the Colts can win by seven or ten
(17:55):
something like that.
Speaker 3 (17:56):
I think the Colts are legit. I do too, Yeah, yeah,
I do too.
Speaker 2 (17:58):
What their ultimate ceiling is, I don't know. I don't know,
but I don't think they're gonna fall off the face
of the earth, right son.
Speaker 4 (18:03):
I think they're one of the most pleasant surprises in
the league, and I think they're.
Speaker 2 (18:06):
Good in what could be one of the uglier games
of the weekend, Matt the New Orleans Saints host the
New York Giants. Spencer Ratler, Jackson Dart. It is the
lowest over under two.
Speaker 3 (18:18):
Sorry, there's two real stinkers other.
Speaker 2 (18:20):
Than Cleveland Minnesota. It's the lowest over under of the
of the week.
Speaker 4 (18:25):
I think Miami plays Carolina too, which is these two
bad games.
Speaker 3 (18:30):
I'm not gonna get a lot of time on Red Zone.
Speaker 2 (18:32):
Real rough.
Speaker 3 (18:33):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (18:33):
Tickets available as low as just twenty one dollars in
New Orleans. According to ESPN, New Orleans one and a
half point favorites.
Speaker 3 (18:41):
I don't know, I mean no elite Neighbors. I mean
that stinks.
Speaker 2 (18:45):
He's a star. He's so much fun to watch.
Speaker 4 (18:47):
So I didn't realize this till this morning either. But
much like the Jamar Chase Sewell conversation, should he take
Alt or should he take Neighbors in that draft, they
both got hurt in the same game against each other almost.
Speaker 3 (19:00):
Of the years, like this bad Mojo bad.
Speaker 4 (19:03):
I do think Dark gives them a shot in the arm,
and their D line is really good. Abdol Carter had
a breakout game. I wish Neighbors was in there, but
I'll take the.
Speaker 2 (19:11):
Giants plus one and a half.
Speaker 3 (19:13):
If you're gonna give me points in that game, I'll
take points.
Speaker 2 (19:15):
I think I'm with you. I just I think the
difference is that New York front. Yeah, I think they're
the best unity both teams yeah.
Speaker 3 (19:22):
Yeah, yeah, and so at least have something to hang
their hats.
Speaker 2 (19:24):
They have something to hang their hat on. They have
something that is well above.
Speaker 3 (19:27):
League average exactly.
Speaker 2 (19:29):
And I'm getting a point and a half. I'll do it.
I'll take it. What could be another ugly one. The
Jets are back home, still looking for their first win
of the season. The Cowboys are fresh off of their
Sunday Night football tie with the Green Bay Packers. Dallas
at MetLife Dallas two and a half point favorites.
Speaker 4 (19:49):
So I'm convinced Dallas games are gonna be like Bengals
games last year.
Speaker 2 (19:54):
It's just score forty to win and then you might
lose or tie.
Speaker 4 (19:56):
Anyways, sixty to seventy to eighty points a game they're
gonna he scored. And I just don't think that's how
the Jets are built. I don't think that's their style game,
you know. I don't think they go back and forth
blow for blow against Dak Prescott.
Speaker 3 (20:08):
I'll take the Cowboys.
Speaker 2 (20:09):
This is another one of those what do you got
to hang your hat on? For me? And I know
that Dak is a top ten quarterback in the league
right now.
Speaker 3 (20:17):
Playing like a top five one, playing like a.
Speaker 2 (20:19):
Top five to one maybe even right now. And I
know that that Dallas offense is good enough, yep, even
without Ceedee Lamb. They're still good enough. They'll score some points.
I'm with you.
Speaker 4 (20:28):
I'm a little worried with sauce on Pickens. Who else
does stuff? You know, we just saw that Steeler Park point.
Speaker 2 (20:35):
See Lamb there, they can really kind of focus on
George Pickens. But I think Dallas can find a way
to win that by three or four.
Speaker 3 (20:41):
Yeah, I think they're scoring everybody.
Speaker 2 (20:43):
I think so too. I'll lay the two and a
half with you.
Speaker 3 (20:45):
I thought the Jets Cowboys I did as well.
Speaker 2 (20:49):
I just and again remember that justin Field stat Owen
twenty five. When his team gives up more than twenty.
Speaker 3 (20:53):
Points, they're gonna get it more than twenty points.
Speaker 2 (20:56):
Really good one in Philly Broncos at Eagles. That's one
o'clock as well to.
Speaker 3 (21:02):
Uh, E hate that one o'clock in Philly and nasty enough.
That's awful. But what's the spread in that one?
Speaker 2 (21:08):
Philly three and a half point favorites.
Speaker 4 (21:10):
I thought it was over three. I'll take the I'll
take the points. I think den Vers Deke keeps that close.
Speaker 3 (21:15):
On the ball. This I hate going to Philly from
her west coast.
Speaker 2 (21:18):
This strikes me is that the Eagles do what they do,
and they find a way they kick a field goal
or something win or they block one or something at
the end, but they win by three. Yeah, so I'll
take the three and a half me too. I I
to me, that is one of those I think Vegas
is spot on with that line, and I will take
the points with the Broncos. But the Eagles find a
way to win an ugly one.
Speaker 4 (21:39):
So I mentioned earlier that Miles Garrett is playing out
of his mind, and I as good as he has been,
and I trust me, if you do this now, you're
part of the show in full time. If you bring
him up and say aything nice about you, the whole
town wants to egg your house. I mean, he's like
the biggest enemy main Street. He's so good right now
(21:59):
that he be my defensive MVP. But the close runner
up is Nick Benito. No one even knows who that is. Maybe,
I mean, he is such.
Speaker 2 (22:07):
A contract from the Broncos this offseason.
Speaker 3 (22:09):
I just want to mention his name because he is
a problem.
Speaker 2 (22:11):
Yeah, he has been an under the radar problem for
like a year and a half now, but I don't
think that that's gonna last much longer. If he keeps
playing the way that the defense is really good, very good.
Miami at Carolina. The weather might not be ugly, but
the play on the field will be there. In Charlotte,
Miami a one and a half point favorite.
Speaker 3 (22:32):
I'll take the point.
Speaker 2 (22:34):
This is one I would stay away from.
Speaker 4 (22:35):
I will watch this game and the Giant Saints game.
So little alive. I think Bryce Young might be on
the vergi getting benched again.
Speaker 2 (22:43):
He might be.
Speaker 4 (22:44):
I mean, Dalton's Dalton. You can maybe win a couple
more games without him. It's kind of like this, the
Giant Saints game. It's a bad game. Just give me points.
Speaker 2 (22:54):
Man. They once had Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold on
that roster.
Speaker 3 (22:57):
Did the Donald's lightning to Carolina Panthers?
Speaker 2 (23:01):
Did did you see that?
Speaker 3 (23:02):
From?
Speaker 2 (23:02):
From Baker Mayfield when he was asked about that, Like
he was asked in his press conference this past week,
something along the lines of, like you and Sam spent
time together in Carolina. You know, now you're both having success.
That's what it was, you know, after after after having success,
and you know, do you guys ever, you guys ever
look back on that time fondly? You know, anything like
(23:23):
the Baker was like, look back on that time. No, Terri,
that's like what he said. He's like, that was a
terrible time. But I'm happy for Sam and you know
all that stuff, and we will get Yeah, we will
get to that one here in just a minute. But
I thought that was pretty funny. Baltimore hosting Houston. Two
desperate teams. Still a lot of unknown around Lamar Jackson's status.
(23:46):
I don't think he is weeks. Yeah, I think I
think you're right on that, Houston, Matt They've given up
the least points in the league by far, by far,
and there's still one in three. Did they continue but
they they, you know, blew out Tennessee last week a
box that they needed to check. Does Houston continue to
kind of get back to it or could Baltimore maybe
(24:08):
draw a line in the sand and say, you know,
we're not going quietly into the night. Houston's a two
and a half point favorite in Baltimore. What was the
last time we saw someone the favorite in Baltimore?
Speaker 4 (24:17):
So one of these team's gonna be one in four
and since two thousand, one in four teams go to
the playoffs seven percent of.
Speaker 2 (24:26):
It's barring a miracle. Your season's over whichever team loses
this game.
Speaker 4 (24:29):
I think Baltimore could get back in the mix easier
than Houston if they were one and four. But it's
a nightmare from a Ravens perspective. At least you're gonna
prepare for Rush, you know, all week as opposed they
don't get thrown in the mix and looking terrible. At
(24:49):
least you can prepare all week as Rush as your
starter and play accordingly. You're not gonna have a design
quarterback runs and lamar stuff, and it'll be malpractice if
they don't run Henry fifty million times. Yeah, I mean
if it goes nowhere, you know, and he has not
got a workload hardly at all this year, So I
would think you should be able to at least accomplish that.
(25:13):
I just think what worries me more maybe is the
Ravens defense. It's one of the worst in the league
against brun one of the worst league against the pass.
And I know the Texans O line is bad, but
Stroud and Nico and Woody Marx is now the running back.
I don't love picking a road favorite in Baltimore, no
matter who their dressing, but I'm going to reluctantly.
Speaker 2 (25:35):
I think the Texans defense is the difference. Yes, I
just don't think Baltimore is going to be able to
do much against them, and that will lead to a
low scoring, kind of sloppy, ugly win for Houston. If
that numbers at three and a half, I'm taking the
points in Baltimore at two and a half, I'll lay
them with Houston.
Speaker 3 (25:51):
Yeah, me too.
Speaker 2 (25:53):
Arizona in a weird spot as well too. They're hosting
the Titans, still looking for their first win. That one,
four oh five pm at State Farm Stadium in Arizona.
The Cardinals seven and a half point favorites. It's a
big number.
Speaker 3 (26:07):
I know. I hate the.
Speaker 2 (26:09):
Titans are They're thirty two out of thirty two right
now in the league.
Speaker 3 (26:12):
But I can't big number.
Speaker 4 (26:13):
I can't take the Titans. There's too much wrong. But
I wouldn't bet the game. I mean to me, it
being over seven is. I hate that part of it,
and that's exactly why it's there. But I don't think
they'll block Arizona's front. I think Kyler's way ahead of
Ward at this point. Harrison started to, you know, really
(26:35):
step it up this past week. McBride's a really good player.
There's just Tennessee so bad they are.
Speaker 3 (26:40):
Yeah, I mean, but I wouldn't. The number is right
where it should be.
Speaker 2 (26:43):
It is right where it should be. I'm tempted to.
I think take the points and you know, Tennessee gets
some kind of garbage time touchdown at the end of
the back door cover. That's where I'm leaning right now.
But I agree with everything that you said.
Speaker 3 (26:54):
Arizona lost both there running backs.
Speaker 2 (26:56):
Both are running backs. Benson and Connor both out, so
hey fantasy fantasy reasons. Could be a big week for
McBride and and Marvin Harrison Junior. So uh Seattle matt
Another four H five game here, Seattle hosts Tampa Bay.
This is one of the more interesting great games. This
is a two top ten teams in the NFL right
now type game, Seattle three and a half point favorites
(27:17):
at home.
Speaker 4 (27:19):
What shocks me is I thought Seattle's d would be
one of the best, and it is. But their offense
is at the top of League two right now explosives.
They're running the ball pretty well. Darnold's playing great. I
thought he would come back to earth to some degree,
I didn't think he turned to a pumpkin playing great.
Seattle does not have the home field advantage people think.
But Tampa to Seattle, I mean like that, that's.
Speaker 2 (27:40):
One of the furthest flights you can make. Yeah, in
the in the NFL.
Speaker 4 (27:44):
I'll take the points and what I think could be
one of the best, most entertaining games of the week.
Speaker 2 (27:49):
So you'll take Tampa Bay plus three and a half.
Speaker 3 (27:51):
Because it's over three. Yeah, Tampa's good.
Speaker 2 (27:54):
Tampa's very good. Yeah, even despite being banged up on offense. Man,
this is another one of those. If it's four and
a half, I'm taking Tampa three and a half. I
think I'm still with you. I think I'll take the
points with Tampa. Yeah, that's a tough flight.
Speaker 3 (28:07):
Oh Yeah, that's not an easy situation at all.
Speaker 2 (28:09):
That's a that's a that's a very I mean, I
think the only further flight you can get in the
NFL is Seattle to Miami. From Miami is the only
further the only further road trip that you can make.
Speaker 3 (28:18):
Even like New England, Arizona's not as far right right.
Speaker 2 (28:21):
Right, Cincinnati at home for twenty five hosting Detroit, one
of the bigger road spreads you'll ever see for a
road favorite ten and a half points. The Lions are
favored by I.
Speaker 4 (28:32):
Don't think it's big enough because the way the Lions
are constructed, and it's a Dan Campbell thing. They blow
teams out, they do. I mean like there's some teams
like the Chiefs that were at the season.
Speaker 2 (28:43):
They blew out the Packers and the Commanders. Yeah, they
blew out the Bears.
Speaker 3 (28:47):
Yeah, I mean they they take back.
Speaker 2 (28:49):
Sorry they got blown out.
Speaker 3 (28:50):
They got a big part of Packers didn't go their way.
Speaker 4 (28:52):
But they have a history of the last couple of
years when they play a bad team, they win by thirty,
you know. And I think that's exactly what Cincinnati is,
is they really bad team.
Speaker 2 (29:01):
That's a great call by you. I was nervous about
that number, but you're absolutely right. The Lions blow out.
They regularly blow out bad teams.
Speaker 3 (29:07):
They do. They don't they'll keep the foot of the
accelerator down, going down, right right.
Speaker 2 (29:12):
Yeah, it's a great call by you.
Speaker 3 (29:14):
Give to MONTGOMERYO have two and fifty yards between them.
Speaker 2 (29:17):
Because that's more like not like twelve and a half
or thirteen and a half.
Speaker 4 (29:20):
What since he's fan base going to be like at
halftime if they're losing twenty to nothing and they can't
even like get a first.
Speaker 2 (29:26):
Down, crying in their skyline Shay. The Chargers hosting the Commanders.
This is another intriguing one, especially if Daniels's back. Washington's
at that point now where they got to start stacking
some wins. Chargers coming off a loss that's going to
tick them off at MetLife last week against the Giants,
Chargers two and a half point favorites at home.
Speaker 4 (29:47):
At home again, talk about this the fantasy segment. Their
tackle situation has me really in limbo for.
Speaker 2 (29:55):
The worst in the league right now, from maybe the
best to maybe the worst exactly.
Speaker 4 (29:59):
And that's a the worst position for that to happen,
except for quarterback. But I have a lot of but
they were so promising before that, and I trust Harbaugh,
I trust Herbert.
Speaker 3 (30:08):
I love that it's at home.
Speaker 4 (30:09):
They're not going across the country for a one o'clock
start or any of that nonsense.
Speaker 3 (30:14):
And I don't know that Washington can take advantage of
that tackle. Their edge guys aren't great, you know, they
don't know these stertling pass rushers. I guess I'll take
the Chargers, but I don't feel strong about it. That's
kind of a coin flip for me at that At
that line.
Speaker 2 (30:29):
I think I'm gonna lay the points with the Chargers.
Daniel's gonna have to knock some rust off. I don't
know what they expect from after being out for a
little bit.
Speaker 3 (30:36):
He didn't blow me away in week one or two
when he was out there, right, I'm.
Speaker 2 (30:40):
Not worried about it the same here, but I would
I would echo that sentiment. I think just at home,
Harball gets those guys hunkered down, finds a way to
get it done. Not pretty, but by more than two
and a half. Yeah, they can win by three, four,
something like that.
Speaker 3 (30:53):
They'll have a good game plan for Daniels, They'll keep
them pretty wrapped.
Speaker 2 (30:56):
I'll lay the points there with the Chargers. Finally, Matt
Sunday Night football, the Buffalo Bills host the New England
Patriots for an AFC East clash, one that has gone
Buffalo's web. I mean most divisional clashes there have gone
Buffalo's way for a long time, particularly at home. They
are seven and a half point favorites at Orchard Park
(31:18):
against the Patriots.
Speaker 3 (31:19):
I thought this would be closer to ten.
Speaker 2 (31:22):
At that number, I thought two would be nine and
a half ten.
Speaker 4 (31:24):
Yeah, I'm still taking New England though. Yeah, I'm so
in on Drake May. And I was listening to a
great podcast today that was really breaking down Patriot x'es
and o's and how impressed they are with McDaniels the
offensive coordinator.
Speaker 3 (31:38):
Of how he's melded. Is that a word, I'll use
that a lot.
Speaker 4 (31:41):
Okay, the Brady stuff that he used to do with
the Cam Newton stuff he used to do in New
England and Drake May is that doesn't mean he's Tom
Brady and Cam Newton wrapped into one, but he's a
perfect blend of the two that he has so much
his disposal offensive coordinator wise, because all the stuff he
(32:02):
did with Newton as a runner and a physicality and
all the smart stuff Brady did. He doesn't do it
as well as either. But they're hard to play against
on offense and the defensive line gets after you a
little bit. I just think the Bill's defense is being
slept on for how bad it is.
Speaker 2 (32:17):
Like they're a great team defense needs.
Speaker 3 (32:19):
Some defenses are very good.
Speaker 2 (32:21):
It's not melted to blend or to combine good.
Speaker 4 (32:24):
Okay, That's how I've used it, and always it comes
out of my mouth. I'm like, I'm not sure I
used that right.
Speaker 2 (32:30):
Example of a sentence. Australia's wine makers have melted modern
science with traditional art.
Speaker 3 (32:35):
Huh.
Speaker 2 (32:35):
Okay, look at you.
Speaker 3 (32:37):
We're Meldon cam Newton and Tom Brady.
Speaker 2 (32:38):
Those seven years of creative writing a pitch to Johnstown
or paying off partner. This to me, I'm laying the
points of Buffalo. Okay, I agree with everything that you said.
Their defense is going to give up points. I'm with
you in terms of Drake May, I think is going
to be a very good quarterback. I think New England
is starting to move in the right direction under Rable.
But I think this one means a lot to Buffalo.
(33:00):
For decades and decades, they got pushed around by the Patriots.
The last time they're ever going to host them there
at Orchard Park before that stadium goes away this year.
Speaker 4 (33:08):
And I bet they look at New England in the
division like, if anyone's going to catch us in the
next couple of years, let's squash a little brother in
the each gets bigger than me, exactly right, Like.
Speaker 2 (33:19):
This is one that even though the Bills, you know,
in this Josh Allen post, Tom Brady now Josh Allen era,
they've had the very clear upper hand in this rivalry.
Sure they want to continue to make sure it's that way.
Speaker 3 (33:30):
Little brother's starting to lift weights and look a little.
Speaker 2 (33:32):
Better, especially on Sunday Night football. The last time we're
going to host these guys in our.
Speaker 3 (33:39):
State environment, people jumping through tables, and.
Speaker 2 (33:41):
You know that they only have one one o'clock home
game at Orchard Park this year. I was talking to
one of my buddies from college, is from Rochester, New York,
so he's a big Buffalo Bills fan, and he took
his two daughters to the game last week and he
was like, I had to take him to that one
because it's the only one o'clock start all season. He's like,
all the rest of our home games are or thirty
or night games or Monday night.
Speaker 3 (34:01):
Get take Bill's night game.
Speaker 2 (34:03):
No, no chance, no chance.
Speaker 3 (34:06):
Little parenting tip for you guys, Yes.
Speaker 2 (34:10):
That's an environment I would like to avoid. Yeah, and
especially it's pretty soon they're gonna be pretty stinking cold
as well too, right, But a great place to h
to go see a football game for sure, if you're
if you're of proper age to experience the environment. Yes,
So that's our Week five thoughts across the slate of
the NFL. We'll come back on the other side. Put
(34:30):
a bow on this thing, West Shooler, Matt Williamson. It
is the Drive on Steelers Nation Radio on the Steelers
Audio Network, your tunes.
Speaker 1 (34:43):
About Drive on your twenty four to seven home of
the Black and Goal Steelers Nation Radio.
Speaker 2 (35:18):
Final segment of the Drive here and Matt, some interesting
news coming across the timeline. The NFL appears to perhaps
have fixed concerns with their kickoff after a major overhaul
and and you know some some minor tweaks as well
to major overhaul a year ago and some minor dynamic
(35:39):
kickoffs and then some minor tweaks this year. Teams have
returned through the first four weeks of the season seventy
eight point three percent of kickoffs. That's the highest rate
over that period in nineteen years the NFL has seen
so far through four weeks five hundred and nineteen kickoff returns.
That's the most through four weeks in the history of
(36:00):
the league.
Speaker 4 (36:01):
So two training camps ago spent so much time talking
about the dynamic kickoff.
Speaker 3 (36:11):
Yeah, they got it all figured out. What's everybody gonna do?
It's the story of the lifetime.
Speaker 4 (36:16):
Then you go through the whole year and it's like
stinks not not, I mean it really it's different, but
it didn't really matter much. I mean, you don't have
to dedicate great resources to kickoff this camp. I don't
know if we brought up the new kickoff rules once
and they made a ton of difference and I love
them and the kickoffs matter again, so that is super cool.
(36:37):
They have fixed it. I think it's the best thing
you could do. I have one complaint is you can't
do surprise on sides, but oh.
Speaker 2 (36:43):
Well, I'm with you on that, But I do I
think they have found the sweet spot here.
Speaker 3 (36:48):
Yes, kickoffs matter.
Speaker 2 (36:50):
Kickoffs matter the field position, I think overall, and I
don't have the exact numbers on this, but is better
for the offenses?
Speaker 3 (36:57):
Yes, what's the offense needs that help?
Speaker 2 (37:00):
Needs that help? And we all know, like if Arthur
Motes were sitting right here, he'd be banging the table. Yeah,
everything we legislated in the league is for the offense. Yeah,
that's the way it is.
Speaker 3 (37:09):
It's because the lines are as good as D line.
Speaker 2 (37:11):
The lines are as good as D lines, and people
like to see points as well too. As much as
people talk about.
Speaker 3 (37:15):
Smatters and fantasy football, and.
Speaker 2 (37:17):
Only pitt fans want to watch a thirteen to nine game,
nobody else wants to. And so yeah, I think that
this is good news.
Speaker 3 (37:25):
They did a good thing. I think they made the
sport better.
Speaker 2 (37:27):
I think they found the sweet spot. Last year, it
was not the impact that we many of us anticipated,
not just us on Steelers Nation Radio throughout training camp,
but I think everybody around.
Speaker 3 (37:37):
The football world didn't change the world much.
Speaker 2 (37:40):
But this year, with some of the tweaks, with some
of the you know, thirty five yard line instead of
the twenty five yard line, big difference. Blast, You're you're
You're making teams put the ball in play more, which
is good. Now. I think the next step of this,
Matt is I think now that there's been a real
baseline and an over of over a year of sample size,
I think we'll start seeing some more explosive returns. Eventually
(38:02):
off exists. I think that's kind of the next step.
Speaker 4 (38:05):
And I also think teams will be more open to
keeping the Devin Hester return specialist types as opposed to
Dante too. Throw Caleb Johnson back there and see if
he's any good at it, you like, I think teams
will be like, I'm gonna use a six round pick
on the one hundred and eighty pound guy that runs
a four to two that can fly.
Speaker 2 (38:24):
Especially. This is the final piece of this. Since this
is working, since this is sticking on in the NFL,
I gotta think it's only a matter of time before
we see this in college football as well too.
Speaker 3 (38:33):
No.
Speaker 2 (38:33):
Probably, yeah, And when that's the case, then I think
you'll really have the specialist guys because they'll start to
develop and show their skill set in college.
Speaker 3 (38:41):
But space players in college have existed more so three archers. No, yeah,
there's all.
Speaker 4 (38:46):
That space and people are slower, you know, like you
can find those guys exist. That's the league just didn't
want them because they're tiny and I can't use them
on offense.
Speaker 2 (38:54):
Didn't have a three archer reference on my Bengo car today.
But right, that's a good way to shut it down.
A big thank you to Bob Labriola for joining us
in the first hour of the show. As always, a
shout out to our video producer Tyler V mister TV
for putting the YouTube thing together for us. For Matt Williamson,
I'm Wes Shuler. Take care everybody, and we'll talk to
(39:15):
you as soon as always, you know where to find us.
It's on your twenty four to seven home of the
Black and Gold. It's Steelers Nation Radio on the Steelers
Audio Network
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