First Things First - Brewers sweep Dodgers, Broncos beat Seahawks, Ohio state vs. Indiana, Upset Alert & Nick’s Picks

Episode Date: October 16, 2026

(0:00) Broncos beat Seahawks, Brewers sweep Dodgers (26:56) Cowboys vs. Packers, Chargers can upset the Chiefs? (40:47) Patriots back to being Super Bowl contenders? (49:40) Upset Alert & Nick’s Picks (01:08:46) Rob Stone joins (01:21:14) Expectations for Caleb Williams vs. Falcons? (01:27:38) Parkins’ Picks (01:49:26) Ohio State vs. Indiana preview  (02:00:18) Chips on the Table (02:08:14) Will Aaron Rodgers have a renaissance game vs. Buccaneers? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Live from New York is a show that has a power packed Friday show. We do. One of the best shows we've ever had in the calendar year. That is definitely true. And it's, you know, and it's a lot of chemistry. It's been great. Do a little, little small get together I'm having in my house that who sadly can't go.

But he was kind enough to let me know ahead of time. You, I assume, are coming with your wife. I don't even know that was this. Really? That was today. wrote it on your calendar in your office when I told you about it. Was there an invite? Yes.

Like a physical invite? Yeah. Well, it's 2026. It's a digital invite. I didn't see it. I sent it a while. I sent it a while ago. About a week and I just assumed.

Me and you. Like a wedding? Oh, here it is. It's not a wedding. It's not a wedding. There's like a ribbon on. I have to open. I didn't, I didn't melt any wax.

Like an invitation of hogworts. So you are or are not coming? I have to talk to my wife. I don't know what we're doing. If she, if she. Well, If she puts me in the car, I guess we're going.

I'm not. I don't know what's going on my life. Today, the Dodgers sweep or no, Dodgers get swept. Yeah, you wish they sweep. The Brewers are going to the World Series. What does the future hold for both of these? No baseball tonight. So your plans are even more open?

I know you were planning to be locked into game five. I'm actually going to rewatch the games to see if I can glean anything. Some pogeant analysis. Meanwhile, a matchup of the last two national champions coming up on Saturday. Rob Stone. Our guy, Stoner. joins us to talk Ohio State, Indiana. I haven't talked to Rob Stone since the World Cup.

Yeah, that's not that long ago, though. Feels like a talk to him far more recently than we've been to my house for a get-together, which is never in the seven years we've known each other. You're going to go tonight, wow. He ain't going. I might. And finally, are the Chiefs on upset alert against the Chargers? Maybe.

Someone here says strong maybe. Yeah. It's upset alert alongside Chris Brissardom, Kevin Wilde, and Nick Wright, who I guess is having a thing at his house. It's for my wife. It's not even for me, but don't worry. What time does it end? Whenever you want.

What time does it start? Nine. That's very late. 9 p.m. Gives you plenty of time to get home to upstate, tuck the boys in, and then get one of your fancy Uber blacks. I can't get them home. I can't leave them home.

They'll get into it. They'll get an old Pappy's cough. I can't let them. All right, we are starting in Denver, where the Broncos moved to four and two in spite of their offense, 168 yards total. The fewest in a win since Elway's first start in 1983. Nick wasn't born. I was a toddler. Brew was an established journalist contributing to his 401K already.

107 yards for Bow on the night. 30 total yards of offense in the second half of four overtime. Here's Ryan Fitzpatrick's take. Bow Nix is not playing competitively. It's almost disrespectful to the quarterback position how he's playing football. What do you mean? What do you mean when you see? How is he playing?

I mean, first of all, the guy doesn't want to throw the ball. That's fine. He's thrown to the flats. He's throwing behind. But he has no trust from his coach. He calls a screenplay on third and eight. Just run up and let the clock keep going. What does he do?

He throws it away. Seattle gets the ball. They have a timeout. And then in overtime, he's got two chances to be competitive. The last one being a designed run for him to run, make somebody missing. Get a first down for your football team. Now, they're in the locker room right now. They're excited. They won. He's not playing competitive football right now. Best take I've heard from Fitzpatrick. Someone must have motivated him. He turned a corner. SM will be. All right, your reaction to that quote in Bo's performance. I think the quote stands on its own, so I'll just give my, and I think it comes, you know,

Ryan Fitzpatrick, for all his flaws as a player, was competitive. Oh, yeah. You know what I mean? Like he almost was, he sometimes went too far in trying to make a play. His weakness, and so you understand why he in particular would almost take offense to this style of quarterbacking. But my honest initial reaction is Sean Pate knows Davis Webb, an apology. because this is not better. This might be worse.

It's been worse to be honest. Statistically, at least. Absolutely. And Sean Payton, who went on a media tour, multi-year about how he tricked the Vikings into not taking Bo Nix, about how he had developed with the minds behind Open AI and Claude, this proprietary algorithm on a value. evaluating college quarterbacks, which was, don't take sacks and don't fumble the ball,

we like Bo Nix. About how Bo Nix was the perfect guy for him, he can't create a functional offense with him. And while I am not, you know, a Bo Nix believer, there have been far, far, far worse quarterbacks with far, far, far more functional offenses. He has the best collection of pass catchers in his division by a wide margin. Last night's weird because the other team has the best pass catcher in the whole league. But overall weapons, Seattle's not rich with them and Seattle had their own issues. Are you putting this more on Peyton than Nick?

I think Bo Knicks is a limited player. I think Sean Payton's job, what his calling card is, is getting the most out of his quarterback and his offense, and he just flatly told the world that the reason the offense wasn't working was a coaching problem. When he took that back from Davis Webb, and now in the two weeks since, we just saw one of the worst halves of the second half last night was one of the worst halves of football Bo Nix has played in his career. And so, listen, I think Bo Nix is who he is.

And I think, and everybody gave me a hard time about it in the off season. When I was talking about the Chiefs Broncos week one matchup, when I said, I think the Chiefs will have the healthier quarterback, I think Bo Nix, without the threat of his legs, which he has not had post-ancle surgery and breaking his ankle in the playoff game, is not a dynamic offensive threat. It's Sean Payton's job to still get more out of it than they're currently getting out of it. I don't blame Peyton.

I get what you're saying about Davis Webb. but Peyton's the head coach. He's one of the great offensive play callers of this generation. So it's his prerogative to take over. And I don't know that he could have known that it was more Bo Nicks than what Davis Webb was putting out there. But first, let me say this about Fitzpatrick. I'll second kind of what you said earlier in the week about Micah Parsons. This is what you want from former players or coaches.

I mean, that was great. What he said. You just want. honesty. And he was honest. He was passionate about it. That was great. The one thing I disagree with Fitzpatrick going at the end,

I'm not sure if we even showed this part of the clip, but he ended by saying it's the effort. It's his effort. Or he's not given effort. I don't think it's effort at all. What I see when I look at Bo Nix is a player who has lost his confidence. All right. And he has no belief in himself right now.

And because of that, he's playing scared. He's afraid to throw the ball downfield. He's afraid to stand in the pocket. Even sometimes when it's a clean pocket, he's moving out of it. And so he is just totally in his own head and it is hindering him. That's what I see. And when I look at this team and the fact that they are four and two, with the schedule they have had,

Kansas City, Jacksonville, the Rams, the Niners, the Seahawks. Yeah. That's incredible. The Chargers mixed in. Right. Chargers. If Bo Nix was playing decent football, they would be a Super Bowl contender, which they clearly don't look like they are right now.

And so they just got to fit. And all this talk about. I thought the defense was unbelievable last night. Without many of their start. Without the shutdown corner and what that was unbelievable. Yes. So I echo that entirely, Brew, that if they were getting median level starting quarterback play, they'd be one of the scarier.

You'd be saying they could be this year Seattle. Yes. Yes, absolutely. And it's odd that he's lost confidence because his calling card, his first two years, and even at times this year, was he's clutch. Yeah. Right? He comes through in the big moments, and now you just see him looking like a shell of

himself. There's two. Why won't he throw the ball down the field? I think when we say that, it's like, well, if you think it's a confidence thing, and I think we talk about like, well, he's not really stretching the field. We're usually not talking about being the most afraid guy ever. So Doug Clausen said, I have the tweet. Oh, do you have it? The 701 one? I have two of these tweets. Okay. Okay. All right, good. Yeah, read it. The Doug Lawson one up. This is crazy. 701 qualified quarterback seasons through six games last 20 years. Bo Nix ranked 701 out of 701, an average pass length. 4.9 air yards per attempt. His average pass was thrown behind the line of scrimmage

in the second half on Thursday. Shield Capadia for the ringer had another smart guy stat. There have been 155 qualifying starts in the NFL this season. Bo Nix's performance last night was 151st out of the 155 and drive-back success rate. His week 5 started against the charges with 153rd. It's weird. On the season, he's 31st out of 31. That's why, because it's not just a Seahawks. But so, but that's why I am, that's why I'm putting so much of the onus on Sean Payton.

I don't think Bo Nix is a very, I, I am not a Bo Nix believer long term. I think he is, his profile out of college to me was always below average, low ceiling starting quarterback. That's what I thought. That's what I've seen. I know he made an AFC championship. game. There have been so many, the Klausenstatt, God awful, have no business being a starting quarterback guys in the last 20 years. That Bo Nix is clear. Right. That Bo Nix is clearly better than. And the fact, that's where I put the onus on the coaching. But don't you see, this is mental

to me. I agree with you. I don't, I think Nixon's ceiling is low. I, I, I, I, it's better than Right, but I think that's him. I don't think, I'm not trying to defend Sean Payton. I'm not an apologist for him. But to me, this almost looks like a guy with the yips. Like he's, it's mental. And this is, and those, you know, drop back success rate or air yards per attempt, I know some folks, that's not how they consume football.

But if we just put up the passing chart from last night and you look at it, you see a guy that's just not, wait, hold on, that's a touchdown. That's not that's a terrible passing chart. That's not. Whose is that one? Oh, that's what made Josh an MVP candidate. Sorry, wrong one. That's Josh last week.

My bet. If he ran around. That's a hundred and twenty. That was a lightning street. That was a running. That was a mistake. Show me Bo Nix's guys. That is a production, an embarrassing production error.

It was an embarrassing production error, guys. Get it together. I know it's Friday. But there it is last night. And that's the point. point about it being, it's all, it's everything's behind the line. If he ran for a hundred, you hurt your own point. I'm just, listen.

I, you said, Bo Nix can't move. What do you mean my point? Your point. Your point was maybe you've got your eye on his ankle that's not totally wheeled from the Broncos. Your take is, if Bo Nix was a better runner, he'd be a MVP candidate. I, then we can discuss it. Four and two.

But I, brew, I, do your point that, moving on. Moving on. Okay. Oh, all right. Hubs runs a tight ship, man. He's trying to make a fun of it. Hubs, I can't hear you if you're talking. Broncos, mini-bye.

Seven minutes. On the other side, it's October. Pumpkins are out. Seattle's three and three. Darnold now one in three, bro, since coming back from his week one injury. Here's Sam Darnold on his turnovers. Yeah, no way to sugarcoat it.

That one sucked. You know, can't turn the ball over. You know, that's obviously, you know, at the forefront of my mind. I just think it's BS for me to keep turn the ball over. And it's not fair to our defense, not fair to our special teams group, not fair

really to the entire team. So I got to be better that way. So he's way off the pace from the last two years where, by the way, he went 14 and 3, so he's already equaled the amount of losses he had, but the wins aren't there. Touchdown interception ratio is exactly one to one.

Yards per pass is down, and he's got the fifth lowest passer rating in the entire league. Are you worried about Sam Darnold? No, Nick should borrow some of Darnold's confidence. Some of Darnold's problem is like too much belief that I can make those. They both be better off if one and a little less, one a little more. One word, wilds.

Goblins. Oh, no. He's not seeing ghosts yet, but he's certainly seeing gobbling. What are go by that? Are goblins worse, Brew? Just go with it. Okay. He's struggling.

All right. Look, I'm trying hard not to overreact. Because Sam Darnold has earned some respect. Yeah. He was, he's a legitimate Super Bowl winning quarterback. I won't name names, but he's not one of those quarterbacks that did really very little for his team. Right. He actually played well in the playoffs, five touchdowns, no picks, high pass.

Right. Like, he did a great job. And he had two really good regular seasons. recently, when he was 14 and 3 to your point. But right now he's having the problems that have plagued him through out, dating back to USC. Interceptions.

That's always been his bugaboo in the playoffs. As I said last year, no interceptions. They win the Super Bowl. And so far, he has not been able to stay away from that. You showed seven TD, seven interceptions with the Jets, 45 touchdowns, 30.

39 interceptions. With the Carolina Panthers, 16 touchdowns, 16 interceptions. What took him to another level was him being able to avoid those bad interceptions. He clearly, Nick, misses the run game, which may improve as they get healthy with with Zach Charbonnet and Janerian Price coming back. So that could help him if they get back in short order. And I think he also misses Clint Kubiak.

Yeah. That might be. And let's see, look, he has earned the right. I'm not, I know Drew Locke, I showed yesterday, Drew Locke, his backup stats have been better. Right now, I'm riding with Sam Darnard if I'm the Seahawks. All right, he took you to the dance last year and you won it. And you ride with him for a while.

Like, unless if, I guess over a month or five weeks, six weeks, six weeks. Yeah, he just can't get over this. Then maybe you go elsewhere. But right now, you just got to let him try to get. get out of it. I tried this yesterday. Let me try it again. Brew, what do I hate more than anything when I'm watching a football game, not when

I'm on the air? Interceptions at the end of a game. Game losing picks. Darnold had the very rare two-in-one game. Yeah. They just got away with the first one. The game should have been over for a normal team. Yes.

Like, oh, the game's over. They threw a pick with a minute and a half left down three. Luckily, the Broncos can't get six yards. So, and the second one, though, they're in field goal range. Yeah. They have a top, I know he missed a kick in this game, but they have a top three kicker in the league. They're in mile high.

Yeah. You're in field goal range and even if. So this is the first one at the end of regulation. Or I'm sorry, no, this is. You're not in field goal range. Yeah, I'm sorry. In field goal range, the in the first pick, not in the second one. The second one, because the first one, they were down three and they needed the field goal and they were in field goal range.

My apologies to getting them confused. But the reason this one's so devastating in OT is if Seattle punts there, Denver ain't getting 50 yards. You're getting the ball back with a chance to win the game. And so I am officially concerned about Sam Darnock. Wow, officially. It's official. Wow. I am officially concerned.

Had it notarized my concern? Yes. I sent a certified mailed to. That's official then. Because he doesn't need to be taking these chances. And if you look at the negative plays for him this year, and keep in mind, obviously, he missed, you know, basically two games. Now, he also already has played an extra game than most teams.

He's played four full games this year. Most quarterbacks have played five. He's tied for the most picks in the league with one quarterback who we think is broken in some way, Justin Herbert, and the other one who we were worried about at least temporarily. Yeah, exactly. And he's been sacked the fourth most times

behind an offensive line that we like. And so I do think, and you know, I'm in reruns on this, but every year we remind ourselves losing a coordinator can, can significantly change a player's outcomes. And I do buy into that last year, the fact that he threw 70 passes all year in the second half while trailing,

put him in a very advantageous position. Now, he helped put him in that position, but it was people were devastatingly worried about the run game. The Seahawks had the lead. Defenses had to sell out against the run more. Now they have a very interesting. an effective run game. And they aren't leading in all these games.

And all of a sudden, their next two games are the Chiefs and the Bears. We'll see what Caleb looks like. But, you know, if he looks anything like he looked pre-injury, that's at least a dangerous team. The Chiefs are obviously a dangerous team. They're three and three. Yeah. And like, so I am. You want to talk.

Go. Can I throw up the defending Super Bowl champs who started three and three or worse in the last 20 years? Is anyone willing to put missing the playoffs on the board for the Seahun? I'm willing to put it on the board. Certainly on the board. It's on the board for the Rams. I think it's on the board for them and the Rams.

I think one of them, I don't think both of them will miss it, but one of them could for sure. And a lot of that will have to do with, like, does the NFC North how good it is, like how many spots there are available? But I also do want to say, like, we always, we focus on the mistakes the players made and all this stuff.

John Schneider has done an amazing job. Seattle. He's an excellent GM. Obviously, Mike McDonald's an excellent, excellent head coach. Their decision to prioritize bringing back Rashid at $17 million a year

rather than keeping Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker at $14 million a year might have flipped both conferences. It might have changed the balance of the power in the NFC and the AFC. Like when Shaheed, and you guys know how much I like the Shihid trade, how much I like him as a player.

When he makes a play that's not in special teams, it's a pleasant surprise. You're like, oh, wow, they got Shihian involved. Yesterday. And so, you know, he had the best game of his season last night. That's a tough spot. Let me just throw this out there. Okay. I'm just wondering.

Yeah, quickly. Look at the recl-we've been talking about these great reclamation project. They actually reclaimed? Well, Gino Smith, bad start to his career, has a few nice years. and then kind of fades quickly. Baker, who I still think is how late. Yeah, but Baker has faded at least for now. Yeah.

I actually think it's on the board. He had a couple of great seasons. One is Super Bowl. And he could fade back to just being a media. Daniel Jones is another one. Like that is, that is interesting. It's not nothing. Right.

It's not nothing on that. All right, Seahawks aren't a mini-bye before hosting Kansas City. The Brewers are going to the World Series for the first. time in 44 years. Dodgers going home. Three Pete denied. Milwaukee becomes the first team to be swept in the playoffs. Come right back. Sweep the team swept them. Here's Brewers manager, Pat Murphy. But the bottom line is, we aim right now. They got a bunch of Hall of Famers. We got a bunch of gamers.

I'm going to start writing this stuff for them. What did the Brewers prove? look, I dig the long ball as much as anybody else. I like to hear what I like to. Seriously, seriously, I love the long ball, all right? And I get that they hit seven home runs in this series. So they had the long ball. But their team, to me, they are a testament to real baseball. Oh, wow.

All right? They were 28th in the league in home runs. Yep. 28th. But they were first. on base percentage, first in team batting average, fifth in stolen bases. They played baseball. They manufactured runs when they had to.

The Dodgers didn't. And when they're home, they had one home run in this series, show hey last night. When they're a long ball deserted them, they couldn't go to anything else. And we are seeing that throughout these playoffs. All right. Cleveland, 27th in home runs. They beat the White Sox who were fifth in home runs. Tampa Bay, 22nd in home runs.

They beat the Yankees who were second in home runs. And the Dodgers were seventh in home runs. So to me, look, I like full baseball, stolen bases, buntz, homers to strike all that. But they play, and Tampa Bay does too. You know, they play a full baseball game. And I think they prove that, you know, we're seeing it with all these teams, this off season. So, or this postseason.

Listen, I thought one of you guys might say they proved that side of the table correct on one of your guys' favorite things, which is two dates. Yeah, we're huge. Listen, the Brewers have won 90 plus games, five of the last six years. They've made the playoffs eight of the last nine years. They've been banging on the door. The Dodgers in, you know, three of the seven post seasons they made prior to this were the team that eliminated them. obviously, as you mentioned, last year, you know, a sweep in the other direction. A very odd quirk about my sports consumption this year and the reason that I said,

I thought the Brewers were the best team at the beginning of the playoffs. You were early on the Brewers. Well, so I had a little, believe it or not, I watched more start-to-finish Milwaukee Brewers games this year than any team in baseball, including my Royals. Why? Because- Notchos from Milwaukee. I knew you were going to, you're almost there.

It is a poker-related thing. My buddy, David, who hosts a lot of our card games, is a diehard Brewers fan. And so every time we're playing, if the Brewer's on in the summer, we're not multi-screening, there's nothing else. During the NBA playoffs, you have to fight to have it, like, go back and forth because he's dialed into nine innings of Brewer baseball. And all year long, he has flatly been adamant. they're just what Bruce said. They just play the game

the right way. Thank you. Whatever it is. And to the tune of 100 plus wins, to the tune of a ton of comebacks like you last night they're down for nothing. In a game they didn't have to have. The Dodgers led in every game. They're the first team ever to have six comeback

wins in their first eight postseason games. They just know how to win. And so here's one other thing I want to add before we go, Hubs. This is what I am most excited about a about this World Series. Whomever wins it, 90-some percent of their fans,

and for most of the two of the three teams, 100% of their fans, will have never experienced this. Because the Brewers haven't been to the World Series since before I was born. They, nor Tampa, have never won it. And the Guardians haven't won it in more than 75 years. So for almost the...

That was memorable for you. Go to the parade. No, but like it's just. Down to Cleveland. For Brewers or raised fans, if they win, you get to experience something you've never experienced. And for every Guardians fan that isn't 80 or older, you get to experience something you never experienced. I think that's really cool. World Series starts Friday in Milwaukee.

Rest versus Rust conversations start next week. Right here. Oh, right. Can the Packers stay hot against the Cowboys? That's next on FS1. And we're counting down to Ohio. State, Indiana. New era in Bloomington.

The last time the Hoosiers beat the Buckeyes at home, 1988. Buckeyes have won the last 14. We'll see if they can make it 15 on Saturday. Boxed Overfest, Big Noon. Ohio State Indiana, Julian San versus Josh Hoover. Both quarterbacks have thrown 17 touchdowns. Hoover yet to throw a thick coverage starts at 10 a.m.

On Fox, we've got Rob Stone coming up a little bit later. has one turnover as a team this year. That's incredible. You know what? Not enough. I think it's a bad side for this game. I think it's a bad time for this game. You think they're doing to turn it over.

Do they're not. They're going to turn it over. That's not how we go. I'm just telling me. Yes. Really? Yes. I'm.

Wilde was reminded this morning that the person who present the entire company is an Indian alum. You know what I like? Not losing. Oh, why? I don't know. They went 22 straight. All right.

Cowboys and Lambo, last matchup between these teams. teams a tie. Ties are all the rage now. That was an epic game that combined for 80 points and 925 yards of offense. It was week four. Greg is here. This might be the most obvious answer, but it would be interesting if you took the Cowboys. Who you got? Well, you know I picked the Cowboys to make it to the NFC championship game. Yeah. I didn't pick the Packers to make it that right. That's right. So it's not as straight as you make. She doesn't wave the pom-pums for anyone. I don't. However, this week, The Cowboys are going to be in for it.

No, look, I got the Packers. If I'm going off of what I saw and what I believe that is sustainable, I think what the Packers did is sustainable. And when you talk about how they need to win, it's going to be on the arm of Jordan Love and the big plays. They got an extreme amount of big plays, but this game is going to be about who can get a stop. And I trust the Packers defense.

far more than I trust anything about the Dallas Cowboys defense. Like, when you watch this Packers defense, they are not bad when it comes to passing, pass yards against allowed. They don't allow a ton of passing yards. The game against the Falcons, where everything just fell through, like you couldn't stop Bijan,

you gave up a whole bunch to Drake London and Pennix. Just throw that one in the guard. Throw that one away. Every other game, they've been pretty steady eddy in the back end. So I think that if they can get to DAC, they can get some stops, get off the field.

The Cowboys, they just simply don't get off the field. They give you everything you want. Everyone thinks it's going to be a shootout. I don't think it'll be a shootout in a high scoring game because I think the Packers' defense is much better than what we're giving them credit for. I do think it's a tough one to pick because to me, both teams are inconsistent.

You don't know which team you're going to get from week to week with these two. And I think I don't, have as much faith in the Packers' defense as you do, because they've been facing backup quarterbacks, they've beaten backup quarterbacks in Gino Smith. Like, so they haven't faced anything the likes or beating anything the likes of Dak Prescott and those two receivers. And I'm going with Dallas simply because of that, but they're more desperate.

Like, the Cowboys are absolutely desperate. They have pulled out all the stops. We hired a new defensive senior defense. assistant. We had our team meeting. We're moving Christian Parker upstairs, I think. No, now he's going to be on the side. Right. We're doing all sorts of things with him. Like, they have done, if they lose this game, it's Armageddon. Emotionally, if they lose it, they will still be in the hunt because that division is a mess. But emotionally, you have tried everything and you still can't beat a Packers team that I think has been struggling and doesn't have

Micah Parsons, like the Cowboys got to win this game. So I do think they win. And I do think it's a shootout, Greg. I think both teams score a bunch of points. Yeah, so I am not as confident in the Packers Pass defenses, Greg, in this particular matchup. And so I like the Cowboys. I also think the Cowboys are just going to be a consistently inconsistent team.

Like this year, you show their schedule. They've gone every other game. I think that could continue a bit. and I think that last week they did overlook the Bucks because they were winless starting an undrafted free agent quarterback and now they do have to Bruce Point

an air of desperation. I also, I care a lot about the coming off a Thursday game. I don't love it all that my chiefs are playing Seattle coming off a Thursday loss. Like that, you know, that, and so I just think, I think these two teams

are very similar in ultimate upside, which to me is be a 10-ish win. I would say wild-card team, but for the Cowboys, that probably went to the division. But that caliber of team whose ceiling is probably play a good wildcard round game and then losing round two, even though I could see, I think I picked both of these teams to miss the playoffs going into the year.

And I think that's obviously on the board. But in this particular matchup, I would imagine this is closer to the CD and Pickens production that we had seen at various points this season where it looks like the best passing attack in football. So I like the Cowboys. Yeah, I don't think we've seen that at all this season in terms of. We haven't yet. Not both of them together. No, no, no, no. But what we thought we were going to see coming into the year, because we've seen those guys almost alternate big games.

The CD had the 17 catch game. Piggins had a big game early in there when CD wasn't as productive. I just don't know. I don't know if the Packers, and tell me I know we have to move on, I don't know if the Packers have the personnel on the back end to be able to single, like to be able to take away either one of those guys. That's what I'm worried about. And we'll see.

Again, those are great, great players. But when I look at the Packers, it's not just about who they have guarding them. No, it's if they can get the pass rush. They got to get home to Dak Prescott and disrupt with their timing and things like that. If that happens, then their secondary will be just fine. Packers have the worst rushing offense. Cowboys have the worst rushing defense. There you go.

Something's got to give. Two teams at opposite ends of the spectrum. Both sides. Meet in Arrowhead. Kansas City hasn't lost. Charges haven't won. Could that flip this weekend? Here's Harbaugh.

High level of wanting, needing, you know, and doing everything and anything we can to get that win. Yikes. He's not used to this, man. Yeah. And I think that he has no experience in this situation. Completely different hard box. Oh, just fake? Yeah.

Well, but he doesn't know how. Like his whole, he has no experience of team with high expectation. has just fallen on its face. The closest he came to his last year in San Francisco and he got out of him. And then they were, what, 8 and 8? Right. And so the one bad year at Michigan

was the COVID year, which nobody's really accountable for, like, and it was a shortened season. It's hard to pitch the who's got it better than us, nobody, when it's literally everybody. And so, everybody actually. Listen, I don't think this is an easy game for Kansas City.

Oh. For a number of reasons. One is they announced today Josh Simmons is not going to play this week. That was expected. Rishi Rice also not going to play this week. That was somewhat expected, but it is noteworthy. But more importantly, it's because in, you know, some corners of, you know, sports media and some corners of this television show at times, particularly in the overtime version,

the eternal quest to explain how it's not Justin Herbert's fault. They've totally papered over this fact. Chargers' defense doing its job. Yeah. Charged defense has been good this year. Chargers defense, if we show you the numbers. Now, they haven't been a dominant defense, but they've been better than a 0-15 defense.

And this has been with missing Derwin, James, and Khalil Matt. Correct. Guys dealing with injuries, they're still making it work. And while everyone tries to explain away the charger struggles on all of the injuries on the offensive side of the ball, despite those injuries, they have been in position to win multiple games. games this year with fourth quarter leads with those injuries and then come the fourth quarter Justin Herbert takes over and not in a good way where he's just been the worst fourth quarter

player in the league this year and has turned the ball over and I mean six turnovers in the fourth quarter they played five games and you know it is not this bad say it again he's just not but he's but he's not but no he's playing this bad yes I know of course he is not he's not the talent of the worst quarterback in the league. I agree. But he has to be accountable for his play. Of course. And, you know, seven years into his career, like, this is, he's been a big part of the problem.

I think he should look better this week because KW, the chiefs since week one, have simply not been able to manufacture a pass rush. And Kurt Cousins looked great. Like, guys have had a lot of time. So I, I do think, you know, Chiefs minus eight and a half is not a need. Nick's picks. I don't know. I think it could be a blowout. I think it's possible the Chargers let go of the rope and it's just a blowout. But I think the Chiefs are just too foundationally sound to fundamentally sound to lose this game when they have two huge road

games coming up. And all of a sudden, Denver's not losing. The Bills aren't losing. The Ravens aren't losing. Like the Chiefs need a win to keep pace with those teams. Yeah, look, I hear you. And the Chiefs, you know, they didn't look awesome. against, was it the Titans? No, the Dolphins or the Dolphins. I'm sorry, the Dolphins, yeah, and the Raiders, obviously. And the Colts game all they were. So their best game was their first game against Denver.

But I would be, this would be one of the most shocking upsets of the season to me. Because the Chiefs, we know what Andy Reid is coming off a buy. So they're coming off the buy. It's at home in Kansas City. It's a division opponent that has, you know, over the years, the little trash. So the chiefs aren't going to take them lightly. And the charges just stink.

Yeah, that's a quick. And so I would. And I would. What it boils down to do. I'd be shocked. And I just think Mahomes is too. I just don't see him letting them lose this type of game. What has been shocking to me,

and I don't think they're going to beat the chiefs. I don't think the chiefs are division games or anything can happen. But Justin Herbert, They've had 300 plus like 329 offensive snaps. They have had the lead for 37 of those snaps. That means they're playing from behind. So typically what we see when quarterbacks are playing from behind with this type of talent is, oh, man, his yards. I mean, the garbage yards in time where it doesn't even matter, he's not even doing that.

No, and last week when they had a lead in the fourth quarters when he started turning it over. Yes, and he's just been, when we watched for the first three weeks, Drake May, it was, what's wrong with Drake May? Something, it mentally, it was, it was everything. It hurt, certainly. With Herbert, it's kind of like, same old thing. Yeah, he doesn't have his offensive linemen. He doesn't have the weapons.

And it's starting to look like Justin Herbert is just not that good. At least right now. Like, I'm not saying he's not. talented. There's a big difference when he's talented and being effective in a quarterback.

He's just not good. The thing is we've seen, the thing is we've seen, like his first two years. No, his first two years he was great. Listen, back when we were wearing masks, he was a top six quarterback

in the league. The problem is the world's moved on since then. And I, you know, again, I'll just be the mean, bad guy here. But everyone has said, man, he is just not on the same page

with Mike McDaniel on the offense. I don't know. You skip some of the off season to hang out in Europe with your girlfriend. Like you did. You had a new offensive coordinator coming off your worst playoff game of your career. They remade the staff. You're the highest paid player in the history of the franchise.

You weren't there the whole off season. And when your head coach was asked about it, he said, I'll drive him to the airport. He can do whatever he wants. I'm calling my shot, Babe Ruth style. He's going to be the greatest quarterback of all time. To finish that Babe Ruth analogy, it would be as if after saying that Babe Ruth flung his bat into the crowd and hit a spectator. Like, it's, it, so I just, he, there.

There are other reasons the Chargers are bad other than the quarterback, but it is undeniable that one of their biggest problems right now is how the quarterback is playing. And it is, it shouldn't be that way, but it is that way. Eight and a half is a wildly large spread. It's an undefeated team against a winless team. I know, but still eight and a half? It just seems like a lot. I mean, the Chargers haven't been, the bills turn the ball over five times and beat them by double digits.

Very interesting. Stay tuned for upset alert coming around. Are you going to make the case for the Chargers? I thought you were. And then you got old mum. No. Patriots. Like Houston?

Kevin Durant. Host the Jets who will be missing Breece Hall. Pat's looking for their third win in a row as the real Drake has emerged. Here's Tom Brady on his old squad. Yeah, a tale as old as time in New England, I've heard it before. I was there when it happened. The skies falling in September and the pats are dead in the water until they aren't. Drake, he's responded so great.

There was a first real slump early in the season. But he's throwing the ball with confidence now again, and the whole team is feeding off of it. Aaron Rogers could have said it best all those years ago. Relax, everyone. This is a damn good football team. Okay, so that's the greatest player of all time that says we're a darn good football team, bro. care to disagree? Look, they have had really three, three very good wins.

All three of their wins. I think the Pittsburgh one was a good win. Yeah, and it looks better now. But I, everybody knows I didn't pick them to make the playoffs. I agree they are looking like they may make the playoffs. But I'm not ready to budge yet. All right, I'm sticking with my guns. I think Kansas City is better.

I think Buffalo is better. I think Baltimore is better. How is Buffalo better? I think they're, I bet you they beat them the next time they play. Okay. I mean, maybe, but they're down. And they're going to have a better record than them this season. Okay, but we did just play Buffalo.

Who are you? I can't remember right now who you lost to. They lost to Jacksonville. They lost to Seattle. Yeah. Okay. So you've got good losses too. But I think Denver, Jacksonville, Cincinnati are right around where you're at.

I'm not saying better than you, but I'm not saying better than you, but I say, think they're around where you have. Yeah, absolutely. With a quarterback who we just did 20 minutes on, who can't throw the ball? You've seen the teams they've beaten. They just beat the defending chance. Denver is definitely in the same bucket.

No question. We might be underestimated Denver. I mean, so I knew you would have that reaction to Buffalo, even though what Brew just said there is Buffalo being better than New England is the general. NFL opinion. It's the odds opinion. The Buffalo is still the favorite in the division. Buffalo is, you know, so it's not a crazy opinion. And I also think while head-to-head obviously matters, a three-point win at home against a divisional opponent when you're,

you know, the odds are New England Buffalo finished this year, my guess would be split like they did last year, but what one game age? We were on the, we were in Buffalo. Okay, my apologies, you're right. I thought it was the game you were at the rate. It was a good win. They're desperate and you answered. Their first loss at Highmark. You're right. So that weighs heavier. My apologies there.

Is that how it went last year as well? Yes. Okay, so that's what it was. Last year you guys both, you split, but you both run on the road. Yes. But I think, so I did have the Patriots in the playoffs. The AFC, however, also right now, because everyone in the AFC North is three and two or better, feels like a more crowded playoff field than I anticipated.

So I feel like right now, the teams that I am confident, the teams that I feel like are better position than New England are definitively, Can City, Jacksonville, and Baltimore. I also think Cincinnati and Buffalo have an argument. And I look at Denver and New England in the same grouping, which that's seven teams now. So that then needs that no one else to jump up, you know, whether it's the Steelers, none of us really think the Browns,

are for real. I think you might believe the Texans might be poised to go on. I think they're poised to get close and. And so I just don't view, I don't view New England right now as a Super Bowl contender in as much as I don't think they're one of the four best teams in their own conference. I do view them as a good team. And that's how I viewed them going into the year. And so I haven't moved too much off that. Their issue, the first three weeks of the season, I think we all would agree, was the quarterback, right? Yes.

It was really bad. Terrible. And if we just look at that versus the last two games he's played, it doesn't look like they have a quarterback issue anymore. Like through the first three weeks, yards per game, way down. I couldn't find any of his teammates in the end zone, but he could find everybody else. Like to the last two weeks, he's protecting the football. He's throwing touchdowns. He's pushing the ball downfield.

He's making simple, easy decisions. He's running with his legs. Like, they don't, where's, where's the issue now? Because defensively, this team was good. They are still good. They have continued to. By the way, just in case we don't know this, they're doing this without AJ Brown out there.

and they will get him back. And everybody here, with the exception of you at some points, you definitely believe that A.J. Brown makes them better. Oh, no, I think A.J. Brown makes him better. I have a couple of questions, and I might be fishing because I don't have them making the playoffs. Two questions hit my mind. One, I think Trayvion Henderson's injury is big.

I know his stats aren't necessarily better than Remindres, but he's a big part of that run. He oddly, I know it's just just, came out and it's only, he says he's fine. He's like, okay. He was diagnosed with a high ankle sprain, same as AJ Brown. And AJ Brown looks a little gimpy back to practice. And Trayvon's like, I actually feel pretty good.

But is he going to, I don't know if he's going to be out for a few weeks. But I don't know. It's definitely an issue. For when he's out, I think that's an issue. I just want, I'm just putting it out there. Will, when AJ comes back, will Drake feel a pressure? Well, I just need to know, even if there's not a pressure, I do need to know if the, we got to see a J and Drake play together.

Yeah. We still haven't seen it. But do you want to make the, it's your team, and we're going to be out of time. Well, first of all, Greg crushed it. Greg did a fantastic job that we had one major issue, and the issue is looks like it's solved. Drake May is also just playing wiser and his shoulder. It looks better. I think keeping my eye.

You've had your eye on this. I've had my eye. Yeah. He looks good. Sacks taken. Last year, he took a bunch of sacks. You guys kept telling me about it. I'm like, yeah, we're still winning games.

Playoffs took even more sacks, still winning games. First thing, like, he's taking bad sacks. Now, even the last two weeks, the offensive line has played really well. Will Campbell's injury doesn't look as bad as it was. Caleb Lomu came in and shut down Max Crosby, which is wild. We played Rousseau and Crosby, and he's only taking one sacks. He's throwing the ball away. He's like doing wise stuff.

So that, listen, I. The defense has been excellent. The four best scoring defenses are the Vikings, talk about them all the time. The Jags, really good. The 49ers. And then the Patriots. No, your defense has been great. I need to see, you have convinced me, KW, that literally every team in the league can move the ball on Buffalo.

That Buffalo's defense is just, it doesn't matter if they had Thanos himself, Caleb Williams at quarterback. I totally agree. I need to see more consistent play. I need to see Drake may continue to shake. That's all, because if Buffalo's past events is susceptible, according to you and everyone, and the Raiders whose weakness has been their defense so far this year. But the Raiders, but before the Raiders game, I can't do this. They were number one in takeaways.

Oh, look at all much pressure. I had to sit there and be like, whoa, this is Drake's kryptonite. And then he embarrassed them. And it's like, well, the Raiders. No, no, no, hold on. Wait, just wait. That wasn't, I don't know what, maybe it was on the Kevin Wilde's podcast. No, it wasn't on the Kevin Wilde's podcast.

And it wasn't even from that side of the table. I don't want to get into it. I have a good relationship. I have a good relationship with this guy. But it was all the Raiders. Oh my gosh. Howie Long is out there. Max Crosby.

Oh, poor Drake. What's he going to do? He just had the time of his life. The Raider strength had been Cousins was dealing, at least in my mind. Like we had just seen the Chiefs put up 30 on him. They did have a ton of takeaways. You're all right. I did point that out.

Maybe I was fishing a little bit. All right. Did we watch two great defenses battle it out last night or two struggling quarterbacks or a little both? That's next. And we're counting down to Ohio State, Indiana. Jeremiah Smith, averaging 153 yards a game. Indiana's defense only allowing 151 passing yards total. Something's got to give that's next on first things first.

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So you're ready for whatever's next. Learn more about their customizable little plans that's Slerup.com. Live from New York, it's a show that's talking about catching footballs. Greg was talking about catching mostly with his hands. Brewer were you more of a body catcher? No, hands.

Hands. But without gloves. We didn't have gloves. back then. No, the gloves were an event. We had the little batten gloves. You had to spray some stick them on them, maybe. The batting gloves? Franklin batting gloves.

Yeah, something like that. You just, you know, y'all had their sticky stuff. That was probably the difference. They dropped stuff. Today, Rob Stone joins us to talk Ohio State, Indiana. That's Big Noons game tomorrow. And meanwhile, which team is on upset alert and a fresh edition of Nick's picks? Some very interesting picks.

I saw a preview. But right now, we're headed. to Denver, not the greatest offensive display on Thursday Night Football. Neither quarterback threw a touchdown. Here are both quarterbacks talking about not throwing touchdowns. I just think it's BS for me to keep turn the ball over. And it's not fair to our defense, not fair to our special teams group,

not fair really to the entire team. So I got to be better that way. We're really, for some reason, struggling to find those explosive plays. And that's what makes an offense, really spectacular is finding explosive plays. And right now, um, those,

we don't have those. Uh, here are the tail of the tape. Completion percentage down. It's just ugly. The passer rating is 59. Come on. That's not great yards per rush for running back.

Lowest at any game this year. That's right. Tweeter the night. You can say if that's it for a running back. Bill Barnwell, fans of both teams looking longingly looking at drew a lot. Wow. He's throwing it out there. No, he's being funny.

Yeah. Because it's both teams, because Drew Locke also used to play there. That's Drew Locke in both uniforms. Yeah. More eye-opening performance. You didn't know. I thought it was every once in a while. Oh, it didn't concern.

There's something written in the dock that doesn't make a lot of sense. I mean implies good. No, it's whatever it is. I just know it means KW put it in there and nobody wants to argue with them at 10. I didn't put eye opening. I don't talk about eye-opening performance. What does it actually say? opening comment from you? More concerning performance. My, I am not that concerned by how

Bo Nicks played because I'm not that surprised by how Bo Nix played. I, I personally think it is up to Sean Payton to get the most out of Bo Nix. I think Sean Payton thus far this year has done a poor job handling the offensive side of the ball. Bo Nix, you could argue, is two worst or the two games since Sean Payton took over. I understand they won both those games, but those were not due to offensive excellence. And last week into the Chargers, the only times they scored was when the Chargers

turned the ball over inside of the 45-yard line, and they had short fields. I think that Bo Nix is a limited player, but I have seen players more limited than Bo Nix produced far better than he's producing lately, which to me becomes a coaching issue unless it's a skilled position issue. But they have a good offensive line,

they have, in my opinion, clearly the best group of past catchers in the AFC West. I know last night they were playing the AFC West, but he's not bereft of weapons, and he's just a worse right now playing worse football than he was as a rookie. So that is, yes, that's on him. It's also on the coach. The darn old thing, Greg, to me, is more concerning because that, I had the Seattle, I had the Seattle. I had the Seahawks as an A-list Super Bowl contender.

The defense has not really missed a beat from last year, in my opinion. And they miss Clint Kubiak or they miss Kenneth Walker or Darnold's regressed or all of the above. And those picks Darnold threw last night, one when you're in field goal range with 90 seconds left to tie the game. And the other, when you're in overtime and Denver hasn't moved the ball. in three hours, it are really, really bad decisions. And so that to me is more concern. Yeah, look, all the things you talk about with Bo Nix, we all know what they are. And I think the Denver Broncos, they've been more equipped to handle that because they've had to.

Like even defensively, the mentality that they have going out to a game, their defense knows what we know. Like, I mean, not saying they don't have confidence in Bo Nix. They probably don't. But they know what they got at quarterback. And so they've known they've had to overcome. They've had to be more with less. The Seattle Seahawks, however, the two picks, and I feel the type of way about picks,

when the first pick, Sam Donald is not a young whippersnapper. He is not young. You don't throw that. What are you doing? Yep. You're fading away. throwing an out breaking route

to where you have to no, your in field goal range know the situation, Sam. That was disappointing. And then the one in overtime, just flat out of bad, bad read, bad throw. I don't know what he's seen.

I couldn't believe Herbstreet tried to blame the receiver. Give me a break. No, what are you doing, Sam? And here's the thing, when he gets up and he talks about it, he understands our defense is so good all I have to do is basically what he's saying, just manage the game.

Don't turn the ball over. He's even identifying, like, I can't be that guy. Yeah. Because our defense is too good. We've earned the right to at least have a chance to win these games if I don't turn the ball over. And so that's why it's so concerning.

And then when you look at their division and where they are now in their division, it just starts to look really murky if your quarterback is going to play like this because I don't know if their running game is going to be fixed. No, they need not only Charbonnet back but they need Charbonnet back and to look like he never was hurt.

Absolutely. So that's a big question. I understand what you guys are saying. I think the point you made is key expectations. I expected Seattle expect them to make the playoffs. I don't expect them to get to the Super Bowl again. I just think that that's reserved back to back Super Bowls

reserved for the great teams, the all-time great teams and quarterbacks. I don't think they're either as good as they are. And Donald, look, Donald's done this before. Last year,

he had a four-game stretch in which he has seven interceptions. And obviously, they went on to win the Super Bowl. He had six touchdowns, seven interceptions. So he may be able to snap out of this. I'm more concerned about Knicks

because to me, his issues look mental. And I think that can be hard, to overcome versus Darnold. I mean, Donald, look, he's been a bad decision maker since college. At times it's gonna come back to bite him, so I think this is kind of who he is.

Nicks, I think it's gonna be tough for him to snap out of this mental funk he's in. Okay. It's time now for a segment so hot. You can use it to fuel your jack-o lantern. It's upset alert. You know what you also could use it for? What?

Those little stern-o things that go under food parties like the one I'm having tonight that you're getting RSVP and intend to no show no call to is Greg going Greg has to fly out so do wow so do what I did you just try to throw me why isn't Greg going because he has to fly there's not flights tomorrow did I miss something I'm not going to ask Greg to have his wife fly in and wait I mean Greg also Greg I'm just curious when's the last time you were at my house a few weeks back a few weeks ago A few weeks ago. Yeah.

Exactly. Hanging out watching football. Just Nick and I. Just him and my youngest daughter. I didn't know. Heating chicken wings. That's right. Remember Greg ate chicken wings?

What was the last time you were at my house? I've been to your house. Once on accident. I dropped you off. You didn't invite me in, but I dropped you off. Go ahead. Sorry. The scores of upset alert.

KW. You got three points. Good job, buddy. I'm back in it. The parlays have killed me. Brew, you're in third. third place in coaching Gregor. I mean, coach killed you with the Tennessee pick.

We should have heard the rationale. We're a team. I almost put real money on it. All right, Greg, the floor is yours. All right, look, this team has been kind of skirting away with a couple wins here or there. Looking a little shaky, if you will. And that's the Buffalo Bill.

So I'm going with the Raiders. The Raiders, look. You had their quarterback on Bruce Ballad, not too long ago, if I was. I remember correctly. But this defense, you talked about being opportunistic against Drake May. When you look at the bills and what they've been struggling with, well, this defense, they take the ball away. Not only do they take the ball away, James Cook, I hope you hold on to that ball this week because they're coming.

And they always come. This is a team that obviously their defense gives up points. We know that they can struggle on that side of the ball. offensively since having Brock Bowers they've been impressive he's impressive Kirk Cousins has established as one of those guys that you can bridge you can bridge with and then there's the Buffaloville's defense so if I'm banking on Kurt Cousins to have a day I would like to see this type of a defense specifically in the past this is what he asked to contend with Brock Bowers can you do something

with this yes sir I can mr. Jennings I thought thought you could. So, yeah, I got the Raiders on upset alert or bills on upset alert. Raiders going on top of them. Be worth eight and a half points. Good week, Greg. Thank you. That's not bad.

That's a good one. I am going, sorry, Wiles. You would have thought I'd learned after last week when I picked the Raiders to upset you. Big game hunting. The Jets. Aaron Glenn has that defense popping. All right. You talk about the Patriots defense being good.

The Jets defense has been good, too. They gave the Packers and the Lions all they wanted in close losses. They sacked Deshawn Watson eight times last week. Y'all been reading your press clippings and celebrating the resurgence of Drake May. It's a division game. Anything can happen. I mean, I think the Jets. Anything doesn't happen with Jets Patriots.

I know that's like a nice thing to say. Well, they've beaten the last few years. They get a game here or there. Like two years ago, they won one. Year before that, they won one split. Yeah. They have some split. But you know what?

Parlay! You're going to meet up. Big game hunting is right, Greg. The Texans. The Texans. This was mine. You can do this. When you parlay, you can, I thought about taking Raiders and Texans.

I just didn't want to be that bad. He's ruining the segments. He's ruining the segments. Last week, I told you guys. I didn't know it was possible to have the same upshed of her. It's not supposed to.

You did it last week. That's because. And that opened up a whole other world to me. So Texans over the Jags. The Jags has been dying to give away a game, Nick. Philadelphia should have beat them. Close game with Cincinnati. Texans, I'm with you.

They always start slow. I think they're going to get something going. I got Texan Jack. This would be, listen, again, so people understand the Brew needs the Texans and Jets both to win outright. Win outright. If that happens. If that happens, Glenn, he gets, don't let me down. We got to get rid of this part of it.

I never bought it. This is the last. I told you guys. The last week of Barlet. It's a disaster. It's a disaster. You loved it a week ago. No one's ever hit one.

Yeah, exactly. There's soccer bat guys. I'm also doing Texans jags. It's bad for the editorialness of the show. You're tagging it on. I made a bunch of graphics. Highest career win percentage versus one division. It's Domingo Ryan's.

He's really good. Now he's back calling the defense. And John Madden's got a movie coming out. Oh, did you hear the news about Nicholas Cage? And it might be some interesting celebrities maybe on first things first. Really? Maybe not Nicholas Cage, but nevertheless. list. Also, I love the internal belief that the tech's like, you know what? Let's go out and get Marvin Harrison Jr.

Yep. As long as people don't get hands on them because Greg doesn't like that. But I love the having a college quarterback and a college receiver back together. And CJ's been pretty good. Everybody was worried about CJ. CJ's playing great. By the way, do you know Nico Collins has five straight 100 yard games against the Jags? That's pretty good. But if I win this, that's great. You get your points? That's great. That's great. I don't rain on my parade. If you win this and the Pats win, you're the only one who gets points. I'm the only one that wins. Yeah. Nevertheless, Barlet! No. No.

You got a ball. I'm way off the board. I'm way off the board. I'm going Indiana. The segment's all over the place. There's no rules anymore. Yeah, it's huge games. People are like, wow, he's got the Hoosiers. Yeah, guess what? Here, it's really simple. You got one national champion in Ohio State. You got one national champion, Indiana, okay?

All right, so it's basically even. It's a scale. All right. When they played last time, who won? What? Hello? Indiana. So I'll give you Indiana some points.

Where's the game? Oh, it's in Indiana where Kurt Signetti is 19 and 0. I'll give him another point. How's Ryan Day do against ranked opponents? He's lost three of his last four games. Hello, Hoosiers. Hoosiers win straight up and the Texans. Parlay going to college.

Is that a- And there is a graphic. Yeah, but there is a graphic. There's no college picks, bro. Yes, there is. Hub said. Coach. I don't know what's going on, Coach.

Hub said, because it's a big game. Why do you sound like a little kid? Hub said it. Hub said. Hub said, I could do it. And you had the nerve to chasing me. I might put the chargers on there. Can we do triple parlase?

Of course, you could do it limitless. And you were all week you wanted us. I just want to tell us before you get to Nick's picks. All week, you were trying to get in, a Chargers Chiefs topic because you had a real case is why the Chargers would win. Big time. We did it twice. You never.

We did it once. Well, we had it in the show yesterday. Didn't do it. You didn't make the case. And then you were like, I'm saving them for my upset alert. You even said, I know it's going to be my upset. I'm out of here. Sometimes I get pushed.

I get bumped. What's it time for? It's time for Nick's picks. Nick's picks. Back to Back one in two weeks, which nobody likes. It's early, but we need to. to do better. Ouch.

I think you're too focused on your survivor pool. I am so focused on my survivor pool. You are correct in that. I'm going to win $21 million from the Survivor Champion of the world. That is true. In the meantime, I need to give out some good picks. The Chargers had it and blew it. I don't hate any of these picks for the record.

Texans blew them out. Chargers had total control and collapsed. And the Seahawks, they're fumbling in their end zone with four seconds off the first half catastrophe. Whatever. We're six and nine. Point thumbs, not fingers, do better this week. Your guys parlias are dust.

You know why? You guys didn't even mention this part. I don't even know if you knew it. Like, are you guys locked in? Where's this game? It's in London. Who's been in London for back-to-back weeks? The Jags.

Really? That's interesting that you think that. Because what's teams record in their second straight game in London? Undefeated. Never lost Levar Ball style. Just once, right? No, three times. 3 and 0, about to be 4 and 0.

So there's one reason. Also, by the way, the Texans, just because they beat the Titans doesn't mean they're fixed. With that said, I think Texan will lose this game and not be dead. They have Giants, Chargers, Browns, cults after this. They could be okay, but the Jags obviously are better

than the Texans and they're at home, home away from home. I'm laying less than a field goal. Give me the Jags. Next, Brew, you're gonna go double cooked. The Patriots are going to smoke the Jets. What are we even talking about? Drake May, 15 times in his career, has been a favorite of three or more.

This is the flip side to the soft schedule thing. They don't lose any of those games. He's 15 and 0 when he's a favorite of three points or more. That's not against spread. That's in general. This is about as big of a coaching mismatch as we're going to see this year. And the Patriots, as KW pointed out, are getting healthier. The Patriots are going to score like 28.

We forgot the Patriots have one of the better defenses. I don't know. I both of you forgot. Patriots and Brent. I think this is 2810 New England. Last but not least. My guy Greg Jennings. Raiders, five and a half.

Let's go. Oh. Bills. Come on. Guys, how many times do we have to talk about? Short week. Short week. And did that game end in 60 minutes?

No, it did not. Short week, overtime games? Overtime. And you're going East Coast to the desert? No, they stayed there. They stayed. Still, emotionally. Your fans are there. It's a catastrophe.

But they were at UC Irvine, so it's still not. What do you mean you stayed there? I'm just asking, since you're correcting me, they're playing in SOFI? Are they? You're right. No. No, exactly. They're getting on another play. What are the Raiders doing? The Raider, Raiders take a flight? They're there. Yeah. What were the Raiders doing Monday night? Not playing

a 70-minute football game. Trying to get in their get back. DJ Morinette Oliver, injury concerns don't love that either. The Jags win by at least three. The Patriots win by at least 17, much less eight. Raiders in a one-score game, see what happens. That's a three-and-o win. I like that.

I like that week a lot. Thanks. I like it a lot. You can't. It ruins your parlay. What? Because you have the Texans. Trying to be supportive, man.

A, Fox Touberfest. Are the Hoosiers being dishinged? respected. Rob Stone joins us next to discuss right here on first things first. We're counting down in Big Noon. Only 17 more hours. What a treat for a Fox Toberfest. We've got Ohio State at Indiana on Fox in 17 hours and here to discuss the host of Big Noon. It's Rob Stone. Rob haven't seen you since the World Cup. Great to see you. I don't know if you caught the last segment, but I just delivered an electric, electric pick of the Hoosiers over the Buckeyes for the simple reason that Signetti does not lose. He's got a 22-game win streak, and he hasn't never lost in

Bloomington. So I'm crazy to think that Indiana shouldn't be underdogs here. I think they should be the underdog, but I don't think I'm going to put you in an institute for saying that you're crazy about it. You know, what's interesting about this Indiana team is like every time they do something new, we're still somehow a little reluctant to accept it, that they are a big boy brand in college football. And I just have to go back to last year. Actually, let's go back two years when they took on Notre Dame in the college football

playoffs. Signetti's first year, we're like, nice story. Congratulations. Kind of pat them on the head. This is cute. Good luck sustaining it. All right. Well, then next year, they're winning.

winning. And I go, okay, if you win in Oregon, all right, here's your flowers, right? I believe in you, Indiana. They win in Oregon. I'm like, ah, you know what? Let's couch it. If you take care of Ohio State in the Big Ten championship game, then Indiana, you're for real. They won, and then they got the Heism. I'm like, I still like Ohio State in the college football playoffs, and Indiana goes on to win. So I think people have just been doubting them for years because it's hard to get past that brand, that visual of that IU logo associated with big time football, especially when it's compared to Ohio State, the big bully, not just in the Big Ten, but in the nation. But I think there's a lot of people out there who, despite what the folks in Vegas say,

and I know there's a lot of my set who believe Indiana is a team that's going to win it all tomorrow. So I think I understand the brand piece of it, you know, works in Ohio State's favor and against in, Indiana. But I also think college football very often is the how many five stars do you have? How many projected first round picks do you have? And that to me is where I just lean Ohio State. I don't really care in the NIL era about the brands quite as much. I just, and I understand KW's point that Indiana doesn't lose and hasn't lost and might have the best coach in the nation and Ohio State lost not only this year, this month, or the last month, in the last 30 days they've lost a game.

But it does seem to me like they have across the board when their offenses on the field, they have more talent, more future NFL players than Indiana does on defense. And the same when Indiana's offenses on the field feels like Ohio State has way more future NFL players. So I guess my question is, do you agree? with that analysis and how much does that matter? It makes sense that that's what you would say, and I think a lot of people would accept that.

But like, let's talk about the Indiana offense, for starters. Three of the best wide receivers in college football, three of the best wide receivers in the eyes of the NFL will be on the field tomorrow, and only one of them will be a Buckeye, the freak, Jeremiah Smith. The other two are Hoosiers, right? The best one-two running punch in America, you could argue, He was right here at Indiana. They were held in check last week at Nebraska,

but Josh Hoover is a guy who's going to get picked in the NFL for sure, right? So we're talking two whiteouts, two running backs and a quarterback that are going to get picked in the NFL at some point. I would say it's actually kind of a push in the skill department. Urban Meyer said to me this week, he's like, Rob, I look at the talent on the Buckeyes, talent on Indiana. It's kind of even except for the freak. except for Jeremiah Smith. And that tilts things into Ohio State's favor. And, you know, the other thing to keep in mind is, like, Kurt Signetti's, I would say

he is the best coach in college football right now. I think a lot of people would agree with that. He's going to have a plan for Jeremiah Smith. Everybody has a plan. You know, it's kind of like Mike Tyson, right? We got a plan until we throw it up to Jeremiah, and he scorches us for 147 and two touchdowns. We had a plan pregame until Jeremiah started catching balls and getting open and doing ridiculous things. But at some point, the Ohio State wide receiver room is going to have to step up

with guys not named Jeremiah Smith. And that room is loaded. And listening to the coaches this week, listening to the coordinator, Arthur Smith, you get the sense that they're kind of sensing that maybe tomorrow is the day that people start talking about Chris Henry or a little bit more about McCune. And Bo Jackson is due for a big game. So Ohio State is really optimistic and high on the other guys, the guy's not named Smith and saying. But if you look across the board, I think you're going to say to yourself, even though this dude is a five star and that guy was a three star, the talent because of Signetti, he's coached them up, is pretty darn even.

Rob, as Nick mentioned Ohio State already has a loss, Indiana, of course, undefeated. How severely would a loss for Ohio State damage their chances of making the playoff? Just going to make things a little bit tougher, right? They have a buy week after this, which I think is really important. They need to stop and get healthy. But it also means that they can just push their chips in to Saturday, right? We can do whatever we need to get that win. We'll take a week off before we got a couple of tough road games, right?

The Buckeyes have already been at Texas, have already been at Iowa. They still have to deal with Indiana tomorrow. They still have to deal with USC and Nebraska on the road. Like that is a rough, rough road schedule in the Big Ten. Buckeyes got a lot of football ahead of them. I'm okay if they fall, but their margin for error gets really slim, really, really slim. Like, you got a win out, I would believe. But again, we're talking a loss to essentially a number one Texas team.

I know they fell last week at one point. They were number one, obviously. And in the Indiana team, if they get the win, it's going to be up there at, you know, no less than number three. So those are really good, good losses. But the margin for error is really slim, really, really slim for Ohio State. But you know what? I am inclined not to punish them for scheduling that game against Texas, right? These programs go out, and in week two, they just go Monster Brand versus Monster Brand

and they play the way it should be. I don't want to punish programs for doing things like that. So I think the Buckeyes will still be viewed favorably in the eyes of the college football playoff committee when they finally get together in a couple weeks. These are the two most winningest active coaches. Signetti's won like 93% of his games. Ryan Day's won, I think, 87%. It feels like, and I don't know too many Hoosiers fans,

but Signetti is made. I know a few Buckeyes fans. They're always complaining about Ryan Day. He's one in four in road games against top five opponents. He's lost three of his last four games against ranked opponents. Are we worried at all that like Ryan Day's decision-making? He gets tight. Is he good?

I don't know. Those stats don't really match up with each other. Yeah, I understand. I reflect back a couple years ago when the Buckeyes were heavy favorites at home and Michigan came in town. And the Buckeyes really struggled in that one. And that caught us all off guard. Like, whoa, hold on a second here. What's happening?

Is that just a blip? And then if you remember, there was that fight after the game. Michigan was right there at midfield. And Day was just kind of caught in a trance. Like, what is happening here? Like, how did we just lose? How was Michigan bullying my team in Columbus inside the horseshoe? Like, what is happening?

I do feel like that was a moment that kind of snapped, snapped them back to reality, that got him back in there. He went out and got himself two NFL coordinators. They're constantly in the next five stars. If Buckeye fans are going to bitch about Ryan Day, be careful. Be really, really careful. You see a lot of programs to complain about their head coaches, And then they move on and they're like, oh boy, where did you go?

I would love to have you back. I think the sane people in Columbus, and there's a lot of them, know just how darn valuable Ryan Day is to that franchise. And they are a franchise, right? Let's not dispute it. They are a college team, but they are a franchise in Ohio. And that, I think, is a huge. That's one of the downsides to the big brand versus small brand. Small brand is going to be more likely.

Like, even if Signetti, if they finish this year right now, the number five team of the nation, If they lose this game and lose a couple more, and they finish nine and three and they're outside of the playoff, I don't think they will. No one in Indiana is saying a mumbling word about Kurt Signetti. They're excited. He's there. And every single loss for, you know, Ohio State is a catastrophe. About this game in particular, Rob, so Indiana's only forced two turnovers this year, but it doesn't matter because they've only turned it over once. I thought it was good for them actually last week

that they faced some late adversity against Nebraska. That going into this game, that was good. What they didn't face, and again, it's good to not turn the ball over. But I think Ohio State will be able to turn them over, and they have no experience with dealing with that this year. What do you make of the fact that Hoover is 17 touchdowns zero picks? They've lost one fumble and that's it all year. And how much of that is, wow,

They're so well coached and how much of it is kind of good fortune and running hot in that direction. Yes. It's all of the above. To play clean football at this level is a challenge. And it's one of those things that all the coaches will tell you, we got to be clean. We got to be clean. It's one of the first things Ryan Day said this week about Julian saying he's got to be clean, right? He's got to make good decisions.

He's got to lead us to win. But you got to be clean. And Josh Hoover cleaned that up. I have a son at TCU. I've been following TCU football now for a couple of years. So I watched a lot of Josh Hoover the last two years. And I'm like, this dude can play, man. This is a hell of a pickup for Indiana, a program that was already in the mix for Hoover's talents a while ago.

He's a gunslinger. He's got some Baker-Mayfield swagger to him, right? And he's the type of guy that I would love on my team, right? I can see how people rally around him. So I thought it was an incredible pickup. He was asked to do a lot of things at TCU that he's not asked to do at India, right? He has a wonderful compliment of receivers and running backs. He's got an amazing defense.

He's got a great coach. He's got all the pieces there in Bloomington to succeed. And if it wasn't for this guy named Jeremiah Smith, who everybody's given the Heisman to right now and they should, a lot of people would be talking about this young man, Mr. Hoover, for winning the Heisman. You know, he would be in the top five category. with those numbers and the no turnovers and the touchdowns. And if he gets a win over Ohio State tomorrow, he can catapult himself tomorrow.

100% he can, for sure. All right, Brew, have you said you were good with either team winning? Did Rob make you swaying one way or the other? Rob, I'm from both Ohio and Indiana. I'm going with Ohio State. Oh, come on, Brew. I think it's the safer bet. It feels safer.

It feels right, but, you know, everybody was saying the same thing in the Big Ten championship game last year, neutral site in Indianapolis. All right, Rob, excellent job. Have a great, thank you, man. Big noon, kickoff at noon. Hey, you got my number. We don't have to go so many months without talking. Okay, all right.

Well, you know what? That's fine. And also, next time I have a party, you're invited, Rob, since I have an open spot. His K-W is out. Yeah, there you go. Invited tonight. We only have room for one really handsome guy. Stones in, you're out.

See you. See you. I tell Brady Quinn and liner. Do not invite those guys. See you, fine. See you, Rob. Square knows that in hospitality, efficiency is everything. That's why their system lets you take payments.

Track sales, handle inventory, manage staff, send invoices, and keep up with finances all in one place. Fly through orders with zero mistakes. Get the data you need and keep everything working together. So you're ready for whatever's next. Learn more about their customizable little plans at squareup.com. Foxtoberfest, 17 hours until the game of the weekend, Ohio State. Taking on Indiana on Fox.

Coverage at 10. Last matchup, 1310, Indiana. Both had 17 first downs. Both had one giveaway. Yards per play around six. It's a nice even matchup. Thank you. But I think Indiana wins comfortably.

Comfortably. Wow. 10 o'clock on Fox. A Bears in Atlanta. We're expecting Caleb to be back, right? Collectively, we haven't heard anything. No, and getting God knows, Caleb's mad at everybody. Is he mad at us?

Yeah, we're the media, bro. Oh, man. He said literally everything that was reported was wrong. Now, what should we have reported? He won't tell us. I like Caleb a ton. If not for Danny Parkins, I would definitively be the Caleb guy on this show. That press conference yesterday really concerned me.

Yeah, it really shook you. It just concerned me. The whole thing was weird. and it makes me concerned for this game. Really? What are expectations for Caleb against the Falcons? Yeah, lower than they were before the press conference. I just don't, the, I just do worry how much the outside noise has penetrated his, you know, his own bubble,

and how much that's going to impact him in this game. I don't think it's nothing. And I am not, I'm not reactionary on something. stuff like this often. But that was bizarre, him being so clearly angry and upset with, I don't quite know what. Like, yes, obviously, people laughed and joked about, and there were memes on the internet about him being carted off, towel over his head, thumbs up, and it's like might play Monday. But that was partially, I think, as Danny said yesterday on the Bears, and I think that He himself, when he finally talked yesterday,

could have cleared up some of it by telling us what grade terror it was or strain or whatever it was, and he chose not to. And so I think the Bears' offense should look markedly better than it did in the game against Green Bay when they had terrible quarterback play. But I am concerned if it doesn't and the criticism that follows how that will land with the head coach and the quarterback. Yeah, so even with listening to him, you put it out there. It's inevitable. So I just simply, and he's capable.

This is not a shot at Caleb. Like, because we've seen him do some superhero, just fantastic things with his arm and especially with his legs, knowing the type of injury he has, to put that out there, it's inevitable. like you only allow the expectation that we have seeing you on Sunday that to be that like to this offense to be what we saw week one because you are inevitable you are the reason why no seriously like you say that

and that's how do you sound like you think he ain't going to do it I don't know but I know he's capable of doing it but I think it's hard coming off an injury Yes. He's probably not going to have his legs. Yeah, I mean, he missed three weeks. Your first game back, you're not going to be as good as you normally. Typically, you're not as good as you normally are. I do think at the press conference, I think he should have explained what the injury was.

The problem was he was talking it up like it was really serious, like a serious hamstring tear. But you're back in, what is it, three, four weeks? He missed three weeks. So that's not, I mean, I don't want a little injury. A strain technically is a thing. a tear. So I think like a strain means it's a partial tear. But missing just three weeks isn't a serious hamstring injury. And so I think that's, I think that's part of why he didn't tell you what grade it was. So, but I think he'll play well. I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt

because I do think he won't have his legs. Like that, that highlight we just showed him flying. I think that was the fastest run of the season. Oh. Well, I think at that time, at least, I read something that that might have been the fastest. It was week one. So. Okay, so maybe the fastest of week one. But I don't think we'll see him doing that. But look, Snoop Huntley, Bryce Young, they've cooked this Atlanta defense. I think he'll be able to do that. And I think Atlanta's going to have success against Chicago's defense as well.

So I think it's a shootout. But I think Caleb will play for you. You keep saying like the Snoop Huntley, those guys were 100% healthy. Yeah, but they don't have the talent he has. Now, understand that. But if Caleb can't be Caleb, what makes him different is his ability to get outside the pocket and just break down defenses. I mean,

back breaking place where you think you have to. He also got the arm. No, he can make does. But we, this is where it's going to be interesting because it'll, we've never seen Caleb just play a game where he was limited to just the pocket. No, Ben Johnson should call the game he called for Case Keenham. Oh, that's interesting.

But yes. I don't. Will Caleb run it that? That actually would be good for Kay. I think it would be good. Yes, absolutely. Like this is, I, the, I am, I'm not, you know, I'm not the Caleb Williams guy anymore because Danny.

I'm not the Ben Johnson critic anymore because I used to be. But KW took that spot. I had it, but then Bruton from me. I think, but, but this is, Ben Johnson should be able to win this game. He should. Like, you know, Ben Johnson should be able to, like, to your point, at least should be able to make the offense score enough to where if they lose, it's because the Falcons run rough shut. Lamar is out.

More on that after the break, and we're counting down to Indiana, Ohio State. Indiana trailed for 41 minutes to Nebraska. Ohio State's only trailed for 25 seconds all year, but Ohio State lost. Indiana still undefeated. Live from New York, first thing's first overtime. Today, are we looking at a Cowboys bounce back game against the Packers? time they played it was tied Danny. Yeah, 40 to 40.

That's right. It's on the table. Go, Caleb. Meanwhile, is Ohio State looking to avenge their loss to the undefeated Hoosiers. And finally, fresh edition of Parkins Picks. Does he have Caleb in Parkins Picks? That's more of one with your heart, not your head. I'm one in one picking Bears games this year in Parkins Picks.

Mr. Moss was sorry, Kevin Wilde, Nick Wright, and Danny Parkins. That's right to see you. It's great to see you guys as well. Great. Great show today. Wow. That's what I said. I said it was going to be a great show.

And you, I think we're got a great first thing's first overtime right now. That's the goal. I wish the audience could see Danny's sock choice today. What is it? It's not a thing. Yeah. What do you mean? He's wearing bright orange is.

They're yellow. I love that. Big Bird. That's cool. It's a yellow tie? Yellow socks. He's wearing a yellowish orange, athletic. I would put my socks up on the table, but I'm not very flexible.

They're athletic socks. They're, that's not a thing. Yeah, that's not a thing. That's not a thing. That looks great. Yeah, I know it looks great. I thought you're still not flexible, huh? I know.

Talk about that a year ago. You wouldn't touch your clothes. Broncos. No course strength either. We won a game with the fewest total yards since 1983. Elway's first start. It wasn't pretty, but Denver is four and two.

Ryan Fitzpatrick had some blistering criticism for Bo Nix. Take a listen. Bo Nix is not playing competitively. It's almost disrespectful to the quarterback position, how he's playing football. What do you mean? What do you mean when you see? What, how is he playing? I mean, first of all, the guy doesn't want to throw the ball.

That's fine. He's thrown to the flats. He's throwing behind, but he has no trust from his coach. He calls a screenplay on third and eight. Just run up and let the clock keep going. What does he do? He throws it away. Seattle gets the ball.

They have a timeout. And then in overtime, he's got two chances to be competitive. The last one being a designed run for him to run, make somebody missing. Get a first down for your football team. Now, they're in the locker room right now. They're excited. They won. He's not playing competitive football right now.

All right, Parkins, what did you make of Bo Nix's performance? I mean, I can't believe I lost money on that game. Yeah. I mean, can you believe? I can't believe Seattle couldn't. find a way to win. You bet against a guy who plays like that and he ends up winning the game. The criticism is pretty loud for Bo Nix

today in a win. Rightfully. Rightfully, but in a win, imagine how it would have been if you would have actually lost the game. Also, we are in the business often of making predictions on this league. Those two teams were in the final four last year and they just played arguably the ugliest game so far this year. It's just such a

tough sport to figure out what you're going to get. And I think the Broncos have a serious No oneix problem and I think that everything is on the table in this like mini by. I heard Mark Schlereth earlier today with Cowherd say that he should be benched. And that is a Broncos guy who does radio in Denver who says he needs to sit, that he needs to see some things from the side. He comped it to Bryce Young.

Like in baseball they call a, if you have a complete game shutout with less than 100 pitches, they call it a Maddox, right? There's the Mendoza line, like some things that are named after people. This trend is becoming like the Bo Nix's. game, and that is winning a game when you throw for less than six yards a pass. It is supposed to be impossible. He is winning 81% of his games. That's a lot of games, too.

It's an unbelievable amount of games. It's almost half his career. Everybody else, when you are that dink and dunk and his average depth of target in the second half was behind the line of scrimmage. Their last 29 plays gained 32 yards, and they won. So the league wins 29% of the games. He wins 81% of the games. It's just simply not sustainable for a team that outside of him is clearly a Super Bowl caliber team.

So I understand putting some of it on Sean Payton. I agree with that. But he wasn't as good as his record was last year. And this is just a continuation of that. And he's lucky that he won last night. You mentioned potentially benching him. Who is their backup? Jared Stitt.

who in that playoff game averaged four air yards. It was Blizzard. I don't even think they were canceling flights. Yeah, yeah, yeah, that's right. Even if they had like a better backup, Denver's in a tough situation. Because, yeah, they do have a team that just with decent play. I mean, you know they're a schedule. And they're four and two with horrible quarterback play, which is incredible.

They have a Super Bowl caliber team around the quarterback. But they also. have to figure out what he is or just let him show them what he is. So on the one hand, we're trying to win a Super Bowl. On the other hand, I'm almost like,

you just got to let him sink or swim. And then if he shows us, he's not our guy long term. I need to know that. So I think they have real tough decisions to make in that regard. I obviously would not be thinking about signing him this summer, this offseason.

He's playing this thing out before we give him any long-term money. Well, I think it would be stunning. No chance. I think it would be stunning if he gets an extension at this summer. As soon as possible. As soon as possible. I don't think Danny's saying there's no chance to ever. But like no, no.

No, like CJ Stroud and Bryce Young did not get it as soon as possible because they want to see more. Caleb and Drake will get signed as soon as possible. Jaden's a question. Jaden's a question. in Bo Nix, there's no way they commit $250 million. No, we would have to turn massively. Luckily, they got

the right man of the job turning around. That's Sean Payton. Normally when we criticize quarterbacks, we're like, you're the highest paid person in the organization. Bo Nix ain't close to that. Sean Payton is one of the highest paid people in the Broncos organization. He's one of the highest paid coaches ever. He

just had he, this offseason, decided we have to have to have, Davis Webb, we can't lose him. And so I'm going to let him do play calling. That lasted in good faith for two quarters. And then he was publicly undermining him and his ability to call plays and whatever faith that shook in Davis Webb or in the quarterback. And then last week he took it from him. And last week was Bow Nix by some of the advanced tax dropback success rate, the worst game of his season. And this week was somehow.

worse than that. And so I put this, Sean Payton should not be able to will Bo Nix into being excellent. But he certainly should be able to coach Bo Nix into capable. Well, in the first half, didn't kind of look like he was.

Yeah, they had a couple of long touchdown drives. Yes. But the first half was there and then it fell off the way. But even in the first half, Bo Nix, it's not like he was. he had negative 40 passing yards. Oh, no, no, no, I understand. Like, in the first half, yes, they had nice,

they had nice sustained long drives. I just, I don't, isn't, we, we all agree, Bo Nix is not the worst quarterback in the NFL. And he's certainly not the worst quarterback in the NFL in the last five years. Like, we have, there have been far worse players with worse pedigree, with worse, you know, measurables or intangibles, that coaches have, squeezed more out of than right now is being squeezed out of

Bo Nix and Sean Payton did something that was very undermining to say the least to one of his top lieutenants because he said you know what this is a play calling issue I'm going to fix it and it's gone in the other direction like that's I

agree with you Brew he had a right to do it he has a right to be like I'm in charge I want to save the season and he's great at it you know historically he has been but he has right to do it, but with the right comes the responsibility for it to work. But don't you think, I hear you, and I tend to agree with that in theory or philosophically, this looks like a crisis of faith for Bo Nix to me.

I could be wrong, but I just see a guy who has no faith in himself who's lost it. So I don't care what Sean Payton is telling him. He just is in his own head for whatever reason. Now, Peyton can try to get him out of that. Yeah, that's what Brable tried to do. with Drake May. Yeah. This is worse than Drake.

But Drake. Well, no, Drake's first three weeks were pretty bad. No, I just mean that he just looks scary. Can I make a counter argument, see if anyone buys it. Sure. I'm not sure if I buy it, but I just want to make it. Super hard schedule. And the Seahawks, maybe we are all of a sudden underrating that defense because they

had a weird game against Mariotta. And the 49ers, they play so much. The 49ers seem to be able to move the ball at will. So they had a crazy hard, opening. week against the chiefs. They're all fired up. The Jags have a really good defense. They played the Rams. So the Chargers kind of random.

And he's had some tumult with the play calling. It certainly hasn't been the steadiest of play calling. Ben Johnson, Caleb, you know, Drake or Josh McDaniels. There is something going on there. Does he just need some. It's a hard schedule. I'm winning games. He doesn't look pretty.

He wasn't good. good last year. I mean, it's, and what's concerning for me, KW is this. Their losses are clear losses. Like the other team controlled the game throughout. Am I wrong on the Niners game? The Niners were in control of that game throughout. I mean, it was a fairly close game.

Yeah, no, it was 2414 or whatever it was. That was the. They pulled away. And the Chiefs obviously dominated that game. They have been in jeopardy. and losing late in all four of their wins, which is including to the Chargers, which to me is the canary and the coal mine of,

you got to get this right. Last night, like, yes, you're right, they're four and two through it. They just beat Seattle. The defense kept bailing them out, and then Darnold was helping the defense in that regard. So, like, I just think, I don't think it's a sustainable way for a team that I think the Broncos,

in a few weeks, The Broncos play the Chiefs. The defense is good enough, and Jonathan Cooper is coming back now off the commissioner's exempt list. Even if Bow Nix doesn't play much better, they could win that game. Like the Broncos can beat anybody, given how good the defense is and some of the other aspects of the team. But what they can't do is win four consecutive playoff games, which is when you were the

one seed in the AFC championship game last year, that's what everything's in Detroit for Jalen Waddle supposed to point towards. All right, head to the other side of the ball. The Seahawks fall to three and three. Darnold throws two picks. Defense was either dominant or just played Bo Nix. You choose. Here's Darnold.

I'm not going to compare last year and this year. It's the 2026 Seahawks. There's a lot of things that we need to get better at. I just think it's BS for me to keep turn the ball over. And it's not fair to our defense, not fair to our special teams group, not fair really to the entire team. So I got to be better that way. Parkins, you've been our resident Seahawks guy.

Yeah. Flirted with the Seahawks making a run at the all-time consecutive wins record, and now there are 500. Yeah. Like most of my takes this year. They've aged like avocados. I think Seattle will be fine. I think they'll be fine. I clearly need to downgrade them.

They will not be number two on Top 10 Tuesday this upcoming week. Like, spoiler alert there. I did not drop them after the San Francisco game. Darnold, when they lose, they turn the ball over. Like, it's a pretty direct line. They now have six losses in the last two years. In the opener, where they lost to San Francisco last year, they were even in the turnover battle.

In all five losses since, they've lost the turnover battle in every single game. And they never turned it over in the playoffs, right? Correct. Yeah. So, like, if they don't turn the ball over, they win. It's not they. It's Sam Darnold. Oh, they've lost five fumbles this year.

But in general. He has seven interceptability. Judarian Price had two fumbles out of the gate before he had a touchdown. They have had also no running back production this year because Charbonnet isn't back yet. Judarian Price had the fumbles and then got hurt. And I thought Price actually, he looked like he had some burst. He was five yards. Yeah, I liked him when he played.

Right. He was five yards per carry in that game against New England. He had a 25-yard run in week two. Then he got hurt early in week three. So they should get him back relatively. relatively soon. Halani has not been good, even though he had the kind of funny play last night. So I assume that once they get a bit of balance back onto their offense and a running game for Donald to play off of, I assume that Seattle will be fine and still a very good team, and I still have them as a Super Bowl contender.

Go ahead, bro. I have not had them as a Super Bowl contender all year. I think I had them in the playoffs. I just, and this was not the greatest analysis, just looking at what they put on the field. I was just like, they're not the caliber of team that wins back-to-back Super Bowls or gets there to me. So that, and Donald, as good as he's been,

is not that caliber of quarterback. So that's why I didn't have them getting to the Super Bowl. But I actually think, Danny, it's now on the board. I'm not writing them off the playoffs. It's on the board. They don't make it. You know, Donald, if he continues, obviously, and his pattern has been a lot of interceptions throughout his career, even dating back to USC.

So if that continues, I think they missed Clint Kubiak. The running game, I agree with you on Price and obviously Charbonnet is productive. If those two can come back and be healthy, then that will help them. But also their defense. Last thing, and I know Nick, you said, you know, last night the defense was good or was it just Boe Nix. But the last couple weeks, it hadn't been good. That's true. They had averaged giving up 29 points a game.

So I think they're going to be their good team, but not what they were a year ago. I said this a couple hours ago. I got it notarized. I sent it certified. But I'm officially concerned about Sam Darnold. That's a difference. Because the fact that he hasn't played the full season and he leads the league in picks and he's top five in sacks is concerning. The fact that, I mean, so he's tied with.

with, you know, two show favorites, Justin Herbert and Drake May and interceptions. It's tough graphic for me. Right. And it has been sacked 14 times. That's concerning. They obviously miss Clint Kubiak. Every new offensive coordinator hire is not good.

I'm not saying, I'm not definitively saying the Seahawks' offensive coordinator is not good. What I'm saying is when you go from a good one to an unknown, there's a chance there's at least a learning curve. They obviously miss Kenneth Walker. a consistent running game. Darnold obviously misses the looks he was getting

from consistently playing with leads where teams are selling out to stop the run, all of that. And I'm, I also am not picking them right now to miss the playoffs. I think, I don't know if you looked at the, you know,

gambling lines on this. They only, according to the betting lines, have a 60% implied probability to make the playoffs at this point. Their next two games are, against Kansas City and against the Bears. They obviously could lose either, could lose both. And, you know, it softens up somewhat after that.

Different Rams to it last year. Three straight home games? Yes. And then at the Raiders, I mean, we could also just be. But they don't look like a team right now that's ready to rip off four straight wins. Like they, I mean, they certainly could. But there's a lot of ways you start at that. long enough, there's a lot of ways of like, wait a minute.

When did the Seahawks look awesome this year? Week one, they did not look awesome. Drake, you know what I mean? Now, it was that we gave him the benefit of the doubt because Darno got hurt and they found away, but Drake kind of gifted them to him. And so it's, I, I am not officially concerned about Seattle. I'm partially concerned. I'm officially concerned about Sam Darnold.

Gotcha. Officially. Okay. Time now for a red hot picks segment. I wish. It's week six of Parkins' picks. Have you made more excuses for the picks or for Herbert this year, or is it a tie? We're not keeping track of the excuses.

Okay. All right, Parkins. We're excited. How did you do last week? Let's just show the recap. I'm stuck in the mud, is what I am. I'm just 7-7 and what? I mean, I'm destroying Nick.

No, you're up one game. I have six wins, you have seven wins. Go ahead. Most people do it by the lost column. You have nine losses. I have seven. I hated that bear, you know, the bear's thing was all. Yeah, you do not.

That was a heart pick. That was a heart pick. You didn't like. And the Ravens pick, you were lucky to, they were, they were, you needed overtime. But they won and they were an underdog. Yeah, okay. They were down eight in the waning moments. But go ahead.

Here we go. Here we go. Three and O. Three and O week. People do the loss column? Well, they don't. Yeah. Most people do how many games back you are in the wall.

This is bruise pick. Take the Giants as one and a half point underdogs at home against the Saints. Giants. Undefeated at home this year. Yeah, wasn't he on the Saints? I don't know. Doesn't matter. Here's the thing.

James Winston. Sneaky okay? Yes. Last couple of games. It was very rocky when he came in for DART, you know, without any prep for it. A lot of turbulence on takeoff. Now looking really good. And that drop line there, important.

Saints defense might be awful. Allowing 30 points per game this year in New York. James Cook in a little bit. I love the Giants as a home underdog in this spot. Next game. My AFC South pick. They're coming through and they're covering the spread this week. Take the Colts as six and a half point favorites.

Daniel Jones, 7 and 2 as a home starter since he's been in Indy, scoring 29 points per game in Indianapolis. Is there any way that this Tennessee Titans offense is going to be able to get into a high scoring game, even against the Colts defense? They're just awful. Third worst points per game through five weeks in the last decade. They can't pass the ball. This is not good for my guy Cam Ward.

I can't make a single supporting case for Cam Ward so far as an NFL player. There's really nothing to hang your hat on. And then I'm going back to the well, third and final pick. Way too much focus on a press conference. I mean, I know it's all we've had for the last three weeks. Caleb's back. I don't know. I would just like to remind you guys, we have one data point.

We always say quarterbacks in year three in the NFL, you're two in a system. They can take a league. We don't have one data point. We have one game of one of Caleb's starting and finishing a game. We've got two. What was it? 59 points 550 yards. Can I raise my hand on this?

Did he finish it? I don't think he did. Same draft class. Yeah, is Michael Peck's. Same draft class. Yeah. I've got two data points on Michael Pennock starting and finish. That's right.

They score 40 each time. Yeah. Not scared. It's going to take a lot of points to win this game. It's going to take a lot of points to win this game. So you're over the- So we no longer need to doff our cap when Dennis Allen walks in the room? You're off that trade?

I just say, you're off the Bears' team. In the game against Minnesota. Oh my God. We were talking about Ryan Flores again, talking about Dennis Allen. I'm in equal time. Be fair. I like that they're all. I got to tell you.

That feels like another one and two. That definitely feels like one. If you, hold on, how many straight weeks of you going one and two before we can get you a one and two change? I think it was great. Can we get it from your guys? Quickly because I got to get ready for Nick's party. Do you have a... You're not coming.

You don't? I'm still going to get ready. Oh. It just costs. We'll face time you. Do you have a pick for Ohio State, Indiana, which is... Yeah, but we're going to be getting to it a lot coming up on the... It's part of chips on the table.

Just so you know, they're doing a whole segment on it, man. Yeah. You won't tell me? What, no, it's part of chips on the table. There's further gambling segment. I'll be watching the OT. I'll be watching the O.T. I'll be good.

Like the president of company who was. watching Fernamese yesterday. True story. True story. All right. Coming up next. Chips on the table. Chips on the table. A little bit. As we count down 16 hours to Ohio State, Indiana. Oh, Danny just made the O in Ohio.

He's doing that O-H-I-O thing. What is a Buckeye? Who knows? It's a treat. It's the game of the weekend in one of the games of the year. Number four, Ohio State taking on fifth-ranked Indiana tomorrow on Fox. Ohio State trying to put an end to Indiana's 6-0 record, three and a half point road favorites. We are 16 and a half hours in change.

We'll all be watching Big Noon on Fox. Speaking of that game here at the OT, hanging out with Greg Jennings. Let's talk about that matchup, Greg. Both teams fighting for the driver's seat in the Big Ten. The hype around this is real. Just a sampling from the sports world. Why Indiana, Ohio State football game will deliver something we've Never seen before.

Ohio State, Indiana isn't just a marquee rematch. It's the linchpin of the Buckeyes season. And finally, champions collide. Indiana hosts Ohio State in battle of the last two national champions. Now, Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day was on the herd with Colin Cowherd earlier today talking about the marquee matchup. Take a listen.

This is a big challenge next, you know, tomorrow. We got to go in there and play really, really well. And take some of the things that we've learned from the first half of the season and apply them right here. But you're right. I mean, when you lose a game, I mean, there's nothing like losing a game in terms of bringing urgency to everything that we're doing. But it has to show up in the field. And this is a big test for us. All right. So obviously there's a million different angles to this game, but at the forefront is the rematch in Indiana kind of knocking off Ohio State in the Big Ten title game last year.

So do you expect the story out of this to be Ohio State got their revenge? I wouldn't be surprised, but look, Indiana is not going to lay over. They're not going to just allow you to come into their place and just walk away with the win. And I don't expect them to lose this game. Look, they are a very, these are two really good head coaches, two really good head coaches. What Signetti has been able to do is extremely impressive. But what's most impressive about it is how he's been able to do it with bringing guys that he hasn't had on his roster. into the fold and them jumping in and them hitting the ground running.

It's been extremely impressive. Ohio State, obviously, we know their marquee players, Julian Sand and the great Jeremiah Smith. That's their bell cow. And one of the bugaboo's, if you will, if Indiana were to have one, is their past defense. Run defense, they're solid past defense. They're going to have to sure that up. I think they will have a plan because that's what Cignetti does. Yeah, the, I'm also picking Indiana.

But a little bit of it is vibes. Like Wilde's talking about how they've never lost. Like you can look at the records and they've won 22 straight games. If they win this one, the college football playoff record of 29 straight with Georgia is absolutely a play for Indiana if they end up running the table. I was just reading a ton about this game over the last 48 hours. And they're saying it is arguably, Indiana historically, a basketball school, the biggest sporting event ever in Bloomington. certainly the biggest football game that they've ever had. But in terms of the hype and what the atmosphere is going to be,

Ryan Day is one and four on the road as the coach of Ohio State against top five teams on the road. Indiana is not afraid of Ohio State. They didn't look very good. Last week against Nebraska, it was kind of their worst game across the board. And I've kind of talked myself into maybe that's a good thing. Like that it was a letdown spot that they were overlooking Nebraska for this game coming up and that we're going to get Indiana's best effort.

I get why Ohio State's the favorite. They've been dominant this season, except for the fourth quarter against Texas. Fourth quarter against Texas, they got outscored by 21. Every other quarter, they're outscoring their opponents by nearly 200 points. They've been dominant.

But I do think Indiana at home in this spot is the team that's going to come out and pull off the upset. Well, anytime you have a team coming into your place and they are supposed to win, you are the underdogs, you feel some type of way about it. And I'm just looking at Kurt

Nettie on this graphic behind you. And he just walks with the level of intensity that I feel like his team takes on. They embody the coach. They absolutely embody their coach. And regardless of who's coming in, Ohio State is this week. Obviously, super big game. He's selling to his program. The guys, this is why you came here.

Because we are the team that everybody wants to watch. We're the team that everybody's chasing. but we're still shooting bullets too. We're not just allowing everybody to throw their darts at us. We got some in our arsenal and we're throwing them back. And I know Indiana lost a few All-Americans on defense, but their rush defense so far has been superb. Spectacular.

There's also something to the belief of we've done it before. Yeah. Like they held Ohio State to 58 yards rushing in the Big Ten Tettling. Well, then what did Jeremiah Smith do? It was good. Well, they held them to 10 points. So it's like, we held them to 10 points and 58 yards rushing. And they're coming into our house.

So I think this is a, it's a heavyweight fight, the two best programs in the best conference, the last two national champions. I'm not picking the home team. Yeah, and that Nebraska game, mobile quarterback, look, in college football, you got a mobile quarterback. You are going to give defenses problems. Yeah. Julian's saying he's a good quarterback. He's not as mobile as what they face in that game. And so you got to lean on that.

They have a good defense. This will be a really good game. All right. So now I want to just, Jeremiah Smith is the best player in college football. Right. Everybody understands that. He's the overwhelming Heisman favorite.

He is second all time in touchdowns in the Big Ten at 38. If he gets two more, he passes Braille and Edwards for most touchdowns, receiving touchdowns in Big Ten history. And he's had multiple touchdowns in three straight games. So it easily could happen in the, this game. What makes Jeremiah Smith so special? Everybody can see it, but your train die. What makes him so special? Well, the fact that everybody knows he's going to get the ball,

everybody knows he's the playmaker. He's the engine that makes his offense go, and yet no one can do anything about it. And when you watch his tape, it's he does everything. And when I say he does everything, he legitimately does everything. Since day one coming in, he runs with the ball after the catch. He catches the short throw and he take it the distance. He can take the top off. But I just put together some plays. And when you watch how teams are covering him, he's up at the top or I'm sorry, he's at the bottom on this, but look at the contested catches. And if you're in zone and you're playing the zone, you are going to get carved because he's such a good rot runner. He catches the ball with his hands. He's great off the line of scrimmage. And he just

makes his quarterback trust that wherever you throw that ball, I'm going to get it. He's up at the top on this one. This is just ridiculous. I mean, he does that. This is his norm. Standard operating procedure. Get your hands off. He runs his route out route, safety over the top.

It doesn't matter. He knows he's going to take the hit. He trusts his hands, his body. He uses it well. And this is him in the slot. This is all day. Every time you watch Ohio State, you're going to see the ball. ball up in the air and you know who's coming down with it. The body control is what's really

impressive with a guy at this size, 6364, 220 plus pounds, just controls his body like he's a smaller receiver and he has the speed, he has the hands, he has the physicality, he has everything you want if you're playing that receiver position. JSN, Garrett Wilson, Omeca, Abu, Ohio State has become wide receiver you. They put a wide receiver into the first round every single year of the draft. He seems clearly the best one. He's looked to me like an NFL player since he was a true freshman. It's just, it's like the Adrian Peterson of receivers.

I'm like, oh, you're a professional football player right now. You just happen to be playing college football. What is the NFL comp? So before I even get to the NFL comp, if you ask all those guys, they look to the, they say Jeremiah is different. They all say Jeremiah is different. All those guys you just mentioned. The ASN, the offensive player of the year, who went to Ohio State.

They all say, Jeremiah is different. But his comp is someone that we hear it every time we hear Jeremiah Smith. Everyone says it every, and it's true. It's Julio Jones. I was honestly hoping you were going to give us a different one, but it's such an awesome comp and everyone makes it. Danny, I tried. I wanted to look at any and everybody else, but when you think about the skill set of both of these individuals, it just makes sense.

the size, the speed, the ability to sink their hips at their size, their catch radius, all those things. I just put together some plays where they just mirror each other. Like we've seen Jeremiah Smith make contested catches and we've seen Julio Jones do it not only in college from day one at Alabama, but all throughout his NFL career. But when you watch these two guys play, whether it's the deep ball, catching the ball, and then, doing something with it after they catch it. I was on the sideline when Julio was doing that in that very game. Like, it's just different. And you know it and you have a great appreciation for it.

And instead of comparing the two, it's just an honor to be able to say, you know what, I got to watch that young man play. And I was on the sideline for a lot of Julio Jones success. I hope to be watching from the sideline at times for this young man's success. They're one of one. The record for receiving yards per game in the Big Ten, it's like 128 and change. He's at 152. He's going to be, go down as clearly the best receiver in the history of the Big Ten Conference.

He's Ohio State's leader and catches yards and touchdowns already. It's ridiculous. He's in the conversation for best college receiver I've ever seen. I give that to Larry Fitzgerald, but I also was just in college at the time, so I might be biased to my own era. This guy is ridiculous. Look, and everyone knows if Ohio State is playing and they are on offense, number four is getting the ball. Yeah, a lot of your tapes, there were three guys around there. I mean, he was still catching.

That's what he sees every time he steps out there. All right, come into the casino with us. We got chips on the table on the other side as we are counting down to big noon Saturday, 16 hours and 23 minutes. Top 5 Big 10 match of the rematch, Ohio State in Indiana. We'll be watching tomorrow on Fox. At this point, you got to know about it. It's a battle top five in the Big Ten, 16 hours and 18 minutes and 50, 49, 48, till big noon tomorrow. Ohio State, Indiana will be locked in on Fox.

Thanks for hanging out with us though here at the OT. Welcome inside our OT Casino. It's time for chips on the table. Talking about the best matchups of the weekend across the land of football. For anyone new to chips on the table, very simple game. We'll show you the rules anyway. It's basically it's a confidence game. The cards reveal the game.

You bet a chip. You get it right. The next week you got two chips. Now, here's the thing, Greg. The good news is coach gained you some ground last week, even though he went one and two. His big bet was a winner. He gained two chips. The problem is I went 3 and 0.

We started with 50 chips. I'm at 57. You guys are down at 27. Frankly, it's embarrassing. We bounce back. Let's ride. Okay. Wow. Wow. Okay. Wow. Guy's not scared.

It should be. All right, let's get to the week six wagers. The cards tell the tale. Oh, you're starting strong. Bears Falcons. Go ahead. Make a cowardly bet on the wrong side. I wouldn't call it a cowardly bet.

Conservative bet. Conservative bet. Conservative bet. But they're at home. I'm going with the Falcons. Two chips on the Falcons. Two chips on the Falcons. Look, love who they are and what they are.

they are, especially if they're running their offense through Bijon, that man, Robinson. Look, the Bears without sweat, defense has definitely been a struggling point on their, in terms of their offense and defense. Definitely look at their defense as the weaker of the two. Caleb coming back, I don't really trust it against a really good team that can get after you in terms of pass rush. He can't use his legs. I shouldn't say he can't use his legs.

But coming off of that type of an injury, a hamstring injury, I would suspect that he's not going to look like he did in the opener against the Carolina Panthers. I could play the prevent defense. Oh, my God. I could get conservative, try to protect my lead. But this is nine chips, and it's not enough. We'll add a 10th.

We'll go 10 chips on the Bears. Snoop Huntley put up 30. 30 on the Falcons. Yeah, their run D is like fairly good statistically, even though it broke down late. Their pressure rate is very good, even though they don't get home to the quarterback. Caleb Williams, last time he played in good conditions,

scored 59 points against an NFC South opponent. Is it going to be good conditions in Atlanta? Yeah, because it's in a dome. It's going to be great conditions. In a dome. I could bet small here, but everyone's like evaluating press conferences. Oh, is he mad?

Is he destroyed? Is he too online? Is he too emotional? Is he too sensitive? No. The man is keeping a list? Taking names. He's out for revenge. Ten chips on the Bears. Caleb's back. I'm backing him. You ready for the next game? Absolutely. All right. You're going to bet a little bigger. Let's do what we got. Cowboys and Packers. Want me to go first? Absolutely. Go for it. I'm going five on Dallas. Of course. One fine on Dallas.

Joey Porter Jr. is back. So we'll get to see his impact in that spot. They have the rest advantage playing the Thursday game last week. They were humiliated in that game against Tampa. So it's a desperate Cowboys team that's hungry for a win. They get to go into prime time in Green Bay. Team they could be fighting for with wild card positions. Massive game, obviously, for both teams.

Quarterbacks the Packers have faced this year. Tyson, Beijing, Jalen Daniels, Michael Penix in his first game back, Gino Smith, and Carson Wentz. I'm thinking Dak Prescott might be a little bit different of a challenge for the Packers defense. So I like the safeties for Green Bay. Definitely don't like their pass rush. I think Dallas can hang a big number on the board here. I like Dallas in primetime.

Well, I don't like Dallas. I'll tell you that much. And you know the team that I do like. I think I got seven chips here. Do I got seven chips? This is my biggest bed of the year, by the way. Wow. Yeah. That's how confident I am.

Over a quarter of your stack. Did you consult with Coachman and Gene? No need to consult. Okay. It is what it is. Look, they're playing at home, primetime game, off of what is their best win of the season. They are talking about stacking success.

That defense looked really good. You can call it whatever you want. Tyson Baygent, backup. quarterbacks. You weren't screaming that same tune two weeks in a row with the backup quarterbacks. Just saying, I definitely wasn't. And now you got Dallas coming in. And obviously, we know what they can do offensively, but we have an offense that can put up a lot of points as well and make, create, and generate a lot of explosive plays. Our defense is better than yours. That's what it is all about. We're going to get more stops than the Dallas Cowboys will get

stops. That is a known fact. The Packers. That's why I got seven chips. Seven chips. Big bet. That's going to be a big swing there on this game. Last but not least, first thing's first overtime casino. There we go. Ohio State in Indiana. Now, I've got to be honest. I get why Ohio State's the favorite, but I'm putting three on the Hoosiers. College sports environments are just special. And Bloomington's going to be rocking. Big Noon's in the building, obviously. 22-game winning streak.

And Indiana, I do think, is the best defense in the Big Ten. Number one in points allowed. Number one against the run. Number one in tackles for loss. Number one in sacks. They held Ohio State to 10 points in the Big Ten championship game last year, so they're not afraid of the Buckeyes. The Buckeyes have been spectacular.

They have more talent. They have the better player. Other than the Texas fourth quarter, they've been dominant against all teams this year. I think that they were kind of playing a little possum against Nebraska last week. We're ready for the best performance of the year so far. And 22 straight wins and a shot at the all-time

college football playoff era wins record. I think the Hoosiers pull off the upset. Yeah, I'm with you. I'm with the Hoosiers as well. I got five chips on them. I don't think they were playing conservative anything last week. I think that it was a real scare.

They've had a couple of them this year and they've showed a level of resurgence. resolve in both of those games. Northwestern the first time and obviously Nebraska. And when you've gone through those adverse situations and you've come out victorious, unscathed, but you've been able to go into that film study room and identify areas that you must improve, especially when a team like Ohio State is coming into your place on your grounds, on your terms, you want to send a message, not just to them, but to everyone watching. And everyone will be watching this game.

You mentioned Big Noon, let's go. I'm going with the Hoosiers. I think they get it done. Neither one of us taking the favorite and neither one of us taking the team with the best player. Yeah, I mean. I'm just saying it's going to be an amazing environment and an amazing spot. And if Indiana can pull it off, I mean, Cignetti backing it up and being in Ohio State back-to-back years would be an unbelievable statement for the Hoosiers. And we're just over 16 hours away from when all the fun happens in Bloomington, a top.

Five, Big Ten matchup, the rematch of the Big Ten title game. Indiana's 22 consecutive win streak is on the line. It's coming up tomorrow on Fox. It's Fox tober, 16 hours and six minutes until Ohio State, Indiana. We'll all be watching, starting with Big Noon. Tomorrow morning, 10 a.m. Eastern leading up to Ohio State in Indiana on Fox. Wrap it up the week here at the OT. Let's go to Pittsburgh, where Greg's ex-teamate, Aaron Rod.

and the Steelers are facing the bucks. Steelers are three and two trying to continue the offensive rhythm that they've gotten into the last three weeks. Aaron Rogers, three straight games with three passing touchdowns. That's the most in the NFL over the last three weeks and their fifth overall in scoring. What's gotten into your guy? You expect another Renaissance game for him against Tampa?

Look, he's looked great. I think he's really comfortable. Obviously, the rapport that he and Mike McClure. that he and Mike McCarthy have and what they've turned it into has been excellent for the Steelers fans and Steelers Nation. But his willingness to push the ball down the field.

It's been about the explosive plays. When you watch this team last year versus this year, the level of explosive plays are drastically different in how they're getting them has been impressive. Jalen Warren, a huge reason why. But if you look at last year,

15 plays, 20 plus yard plays, and then the, the, Air yards, 20 plus air yards, 20 plus yard touchdowns. They were just, this was all of last year. Already this year in 2026, you got 21 explosive plays, 20 plus yards. When you think about Aaron Rogers and what he was unwilling to do last year, it was pushed the ball down the field. Hold on to the ball a little bit longer, push the ball down the field. You can still entertain those small plays around the line of scrimmage and guys are making.

making place specifically Jalen Warren who's leading them not only in rushing but receiving as well. Yeah Jalen Warren because Rogers can throw the ball but now he has some balance. Like they haven't had a running game in Pittsburgh in many many years. Last three weeks that coincides with this from Rogers against Indy Jalen Warren 15 carries 101 yards and a touchdown with a 50 yard run against Cleveland 17 for 93 with a 24 yard big play. 17 for 127 against Sincere with a 35 year. yard run. Like, Rogers being able to actually have balance in his offense is just something he hasn't had in years. And by the way, Steelers fans, Aaron Rogers is the first quarterback to throw

three straight touchdowns, three straight weeks with three touchdowns since Terry Bradshaw. Oh, wow. Isn't that crazy? That is crazy. You would think Ben had didn't. Ben Rothersberger's entire career, he never went on a run. But Jaylen Warren, six yards of carry, why not continue to let him cook? Quarterback's best friend. Enjoy the games. Watch big noon. We'll be back Monday with more First Things First.