First Things First - Chiefs vs. Raiders, Steelers AFC contenders, Vinnie Pasquantino & Larry Fitzgerald join, BUD List

Episode Date: October 16, 2025

(0:00) Chiefs will ‘annihilate’ Raiders, Eagles “must-win”  vs. Vikings, Steelers AFC contenders?  (27:11) Larry Fitzgerald talks WRs, A.J. Brown’s frustration (39:45) Lions bounce back vs. Bucs? (45:36) BUD List (01:03:50) Vinnie Pasquantino talks ALCS & NLCS (01:19:20) Chance Joe Flacco outplays Aaron Rodgers?  (01:27:11) Steelers vs. Bengals, Parkins’ Picks, Expect a monster game from Caleb Williams? (01:48:06) Frenemies featuring Vinnie Pasquantino (02:01:52) Tua apologizes, Are the Chiefs the most complete team with Rashee Rice back? (02:09:39) Can the Eagles get back on track? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tab five. That's a great one. Splash Brothers is another great one for groups. Team nickname. Why don't we have a nickname? Jama. That's the best. But why don't,

Gianna, we should get a nickname for us. The three of us. Chris and the guy? Cruz crew. The Brew. The group. The group.

True is legit, hilarious. The guy. Chris and the guy. Chris and Comple. Bruce is so funny, man. That's why we're his guys. I know, we're just for the example. Today, Steelers bangles tonight.

At what point are we going to be ready to start talking about the Steelers? Wow. Going to the Super Bowl, the stat that you need to see. Making stats cool again. You can't steal that from Danny. You made fun of him for it. You killed you. He made stats cool and now people are copying.

Meanwhile, two guests on the show today. NFL legend Larry Fitzgerald talks all things NFL and wide receivers, and the pass scratch is back with us, who perfectly predicted last night's game. And won me some money. Did he really? Did you make that bet? Yeah, I saw the thing, the roof was open. I bet the Blue Jays.

That roof, there was magic in that roof. And finally, it's the most motivational segment in all of sports. It's the Bud list. Is your guy, oh, and my guy, Otani, Jay Lerich, what a bud list we have. Well, it was 3 and 0 last week as far as motivation. All three played much excellent games. That's true. Gino wasn't excellent, but he was better.

He was better. Yeah. Nick Wright, Kevin Wilde, Chris Gassard, aka Chris and Chris and Company. We're starting with Aaron Rogers. Got his team to four wins up against the Bengals defense tonight that is giving up 30 points a game. Pittsburgh favored by almost six. Here's Aaron. Take a listen. I'm kind of going like this body-wise.

You know, I'm just getting healthy. I had a great break on the bi-week, spent a time with my body work guru guy out west and it felt good coming back. I'm gonna have to get with them a few more times this season. But I'm feeling like, you know, first couple weeks, I was a little tighter, I felt like, and I'm starting to loosen up and feel a little bit more like myself.

myself. Okay. So get this. If they went tonight, Mike Tomlin and the Steelers will be five and one. Under Tomlin, starting five or one or better, 2008, they were 12 and 4 won the Super Bowl. 2010, 12 and 4 lost the Super Bowl. 2020, 12 and 4 lost the wild card round. I thought this was very instructive. Basically, tonight, if they win, they've got a 66% chance of going to the Super Bowl. There's no other way to read it. No other way to read it. They're going to the Super Bowl. Tonight's like the AFC Championship game. Do you have a question?

Yeah. Do you think they're going to the Super Bowl? No, I don't. And even with a win, I won't look at them as legit contenders. And the more I dug into the Steelers for this topic, and I hate this, the better I felt about Bruce Raven still being alive. I'm just being I'm just telling you the truth bro why are you so

see this is why they are very much alive because I felt I mean I always felt they were alive but you're right but you look deep they are because here's the thing it's multifaceted first of all I do not care about that graphic at all I apologize okay here's look so because

what that shows me is yeah when they had prime big Ben and they started out well they were awesome. And then in 2020, when they started out, I think, 10 and 0, maybe 11 and 0 with Wash Big Ben. And we all knew they were still not that great. We didn't believe in them, for sure. They end up getting annihilated.

That was the year, that was Baker's playoff win, if I remember correctly. That was the year the Browns went to Pittsburgh and won the game. Yeah, and Stafansky, too. Yeah, it had to be because COVID because that was COVID here. But the Steelers, It's a couple reasons. First one is this. If we put up the Steelers ranks,

they're making their money on defense purely with the splash plays. And I don't think that is super sustainable. I think that they, now, T.J. Watts is going to get sacks and they're going to force some turnovers. But being that bad in yards and being that average in points per game, despite being where they are in takeaway and sacks is concerning to me. On offense,

Now, that should be a little more sustainable because preventing terror. What they're doing is taking care of the football and after Rogers got sacked a bunch of the first two weeks, stop getting sacked. So that might be slightly more sustainable. But the way Rogers is making his money up to this point this year, Brew, is getting the ball out immediately. And I just think that's disruptable by good defenses. I think that if you are willing to risk getting beat over the top if he has time to hold on to the ball,

you can disrupt the timing on this. Like we saw essentially different players, different versions, teams due to Miami. Yes. You know what I? Which is we're just not going to let that instantaneous passing game beat us. And I don't, the Steelers don't have Tyree kill. They don't have Jail and Walled. G.K. MacK. Maccaps is a really good player.

And I think that you can, this can be exploited. And so I just don't think they are as good as their record says they are. And I don't think it will be sustained over the course of the season. Yeah, I'm with you. And I'm sure you may have looked at this. Their schedule. Now, if they're 10 and 1 going through their schedule, then you'll start to believe. But look, after this.

And yesterday I said, this is like they need to win this game because it's getting rough after this. you've got Green Bay, Indianapolis, and the Chargers. But then look at the last column. Buffalo, you still got Baltimore twice. Buffalo, Detroit. Like, they could end up losing a lot of games if they're really not that good. So they do need to stack these wins. But look, I think they're going to lose a lot of these games.

And then we won't be thinking of them as a contender at all. The other thing, Nick, and this is a credit to Rogers so far, they don't have a run game. They're averaging like three yards of carry. One of the worst run games. I like Jaylon Warren, but they haven't been able to get their run game going. And you guys know how I feel about Rogers in the postseason. Like, he is a legitimately all-time great quarterback,

and I'm actually glad he's getting off to this start where he's playing well and they're winning games. But I've already said since they won that Super Bowl, what, 14 years ago, this is how he's played in the conference championship games. Nine TD's eight interceptions. That's telling because his claim to fame is he doesn't throw picks. But why in these huge games does he throw a lot of interceptions? But if they get to that spot brew, they'll be through.

A huge man. If they get to the conference championship game, it's an amazing accomplishment. If they make, yeah, absolutely. I think if they make the playoffs and maybe win a game, then Rogers will be able to go out in a blaze of glory if he chooses to retire. But I just think that's the cap on that for them. But look, Kansas City's better. Buffalo's better.

I think Baltimore is better. And they'll have their chance to prove it, obviously. But I don't think they're legit contender in AFC. Classic two by me, I would say. What was that? That the Achilles is a two-year injury. Now, did I believe in the Steelers? Not necessarily.

Did I believe in Aaron Rogers? No. But I had a small carve-out where I can lay claim to a class. classic two. Where like maybe Aaron Rogers is actually back. He hasn't looked washed. I think washed was on the board. That's fair.

This guy doesn't look like he belongs on an NFL field physically or mentally. He's just kind of out of it. We thought there was going to be a real tumult with the offense that if it goes one way and Rogers wants it this way, they want it that way. After he got sacked, like let's just get rid of the ball. Unfortunately, or fortunately, he also, he's got the lowest. average intended air yard. So it's all just small.

It's just quick immediate. And he'll all. And DK has been great after the kid. But this is what it was from last year with the Jets to this year with the Steelers. Like I got to give him credit. Completion percentage is up. The yards are down, but the winds are up. So that's good.

Ten touchdowns, three interceptions, and a pass rating is up. So look, if he wins tonight, you'll equal last year's total. It is, what is interesting to me about that is, the touchdown interception ratio is not that different. You know, because you multiply it by three. It would be 30 to 9 and it was 28 to 11. It's a little bit better. And the yards per game are down.

So I don't, I'm not certain that I agree with you full throated, full or wholeheartedly that he is playing much better than last year. I do think this is another year where his numbers are maybe a little better than his play actually has been. But I think to go circle back something what you were saying, Brew, what is now true, I feel,

now missing the playoffs would be a disaster. Going into the year, they were like 50-50. But now, because of what's happened with Baltimore, because Joe Burrow was out for the season, and because they're off to this huge start, if they were to finish

9 and 8 and miss the playoffs, that is a a disaster in a way it would not have been at the beginning of the year if you knew that was coming and I just, maybe this is my own,

I have to just be honest with the audience, maybe I'm trying to hold on to my priors about this team going into the year but I just feel like you can, if you want to, it's pretty easy to poke holes

at their victories. Yes. And like, beating the Jets 3432 is really bad. As far as allowing the Jets to score 32. The Patriot game, you talked about it. We could have won that game.

Well, the Patriots turned the ball over five times. Some of those forced by Pittsburgh and some the Patriots just. But we could have won the game in the last final drive. Correct. With a five turnover difference. And then their other two wins, one's in Ireland against the backup quarterback and the others against the Browns and who right now is currently the worst starting quarterback in the league, Dylan Gabriel. I don't know that he will be, but the rookie.

third round pick really out of the step. But if they win tonight, it's like, eh, flaco. No, but it absolutely is that. And then we'll find out what they really are. Because Green Bay, Indy, the Chargers, and then they still got some Buffalo, Detroit. Like, they got some tough games. And I'm not sure they're winning tonight.

I'm just, I, the, I, the Bengals have been awful since Burrow got hurt. I understand that. But it was something to me that Tom, was annoyed that they were going to have to go against Flacco. That to me was a rare, like, honest press conference moment where it actually taught us something. And I just, I do think that Flacco gives them the veritable live arm that with those weapons could cause problems. Interesting. And so I'm not, I'm not certain Pittsburgh is winning tonight.

Can't make it apart. Blacko may have a run in him. Four or five games. That's what he did with Cleveland. Nice little run, and so he might have that left with those receivers. Combined experience tonight, 39 seasons, 774 touchdowns. That's pretty good. And two Super Bowls.

Yeah. And two Super Bowl MVP's. That's the weird part. Yeah. It's like one legend in Joe Flacco. Like, actually, Joe Flacko. Check in on the champs. Eagles favored in Minnesota.

They try to stop the bleeding after two losses. Now, there's been some talk about the return of the funk, of course, bro. But here's A.J. Brown on the vibes in Philadelphia. Take a listen. You tell me, you listen. What you think? Sound normal, huh? Kind of, yeah.

Yeah, normal, exactly. So, you know, we're not letting a loss just humble us and, you know, you can't let it home. You got to keep going, you know, and the team to find ways. You know, his team is fine. His team is motivated and try and get on the same thing. There you go, bro. You heard that. It was just normal chatter in the background, and that means the Eagles are bad.

back on track. Do you expect the Eagles to show this against the Vikings? I'm not a body language expert, but I like his body language there. I like his demeanor. Like it didn't seem, we've seen him before where it's tense. He's being critical of the offense, quarterback, whatever it is. So that was good. And if that's the case, then great. I mean, we are reacting to this report from Jeremy Fowler that they feel like they're on the verge of going into the supernatural funk again. So if they're not, then fine. My thing with them is just, and he said later, I watched the whole interview, he said

later that we're not going to let this get us down, you know, we're going to, like, so as long as they stay in a good place mentally, which has been a challenge for them. But if they do, their talent and ability will have them in the playoffs, should win the division. Like they'll be there in the end with a shot to do something in the NFC. That's my biggest concern with them. So I do think they will bounce back against Minnesota. Minnesota, look, they're not as good as, you know. Flores has some quarterbacks have had their way with him a little bit.

I don't think the Minnesota D-Lines playing as well as they thought it would. Yeah, yeah. And as well as we saw early in the year. Right. And obviously you've got, it's going to be Carson Wentz again. Philadelphia cannot get Siriani never coached him. But he was there the year before Siriani got there. And you cannot let Wince cook you.

You're coming off two straight losses. If indeed there is turmoil in the locker room, and this is the type of loss, third straight, backup quarterback, former teammate player on your team, that could lead them into a malaise, if you will. So, but I think they'll, I think they'll get it right. I think they'll win this game against Minnesota.

They are still S-Bob, correct? Yeah, because they're coming. Absolutely. They got the talent. Definitionally, they're coming. Absolutely. Super talented. The defending Super Bowl champs.

If they are S-Bob, this is not a fun Tuesday segment must win. This is a literal must win. If the Minnesota Vikings, beat the Philadelphia Eagles with their backup quarterback with Philly having extra rest coming off a Thursday, Uber motivated with two straight losses, then the Eagles are not a Super Bowl team. And the last 15 years, there have been teams that have lost three straight and made the Super Bowl. We can show you who those teams are. They all kind of have their own story.

For the Niners, that was Brock Purdy, the little, the bad stretch he had. Yeah, remember? Baltimore. I think Cleveland was one of the games. The 21 Rams first year with Stafford. And then two surprising, I think it's fair to call them Super Bowl teams. The 2012 Ravens with Flacco's and the 2011 Giants. Eli. And with Eli the second time around.

So it's not that it's not possible to lose three straight and make the Super Bowl. But I feel like this team is already such an emotionally teetering team that losing to a team that you know you're better than, that is not even their best version of themselves, would put them down a path that is not going to end up with them back in the Super Bowl. I also believe KW, their way to win this game is through the right arm of Jalen Hertz. I think if something is going to stop the emotional bleeding and the on-the-field bleeding for the Eagles, nothing will stop it quicker or better than a win that Jalen Hertz plays great in.

Because I don't think you are getting 2024 Sequin this year. I think that is just off the board. Like, yes, I'm not saying he won't have. That is off the board. Well, even of course, 2000, but I'm saying him being the board. player he was last year for the remainder of this season, just the rest of the year. He doesn't crack 60 yards now. Right.

I mean, he's cracked it once all year. And so I think it's going to, because not only would that give them a vibes lift, I also think that, that being Jalen having a great game, would give us a better chance of getting a better version of Saquan than that. Because even though Saquan hasn't been great, teams are still defending the Eagles. like he is the thing we have to take away. And Jalen can beat him and they have the weapons and they have the offensive line.

This is, the onus is on him in this spot. And I am not saying he can't do it. Then they come out throwing last week or their last loss. Well, last week was the last loss. The Giants game. Well, the Giants game was weird. First half if I remember. Because Seekwon had those two early big runs and then.

And he had a touchdown reception. Receiving. Touchdown receiving. Yeah, I think Jalen threw. almost 300 last week. He threw for it. Yeah, in the Broncos game, he threw a lot and they lost. I'm saying he throw a lot and they win.

At this point, they just need to win. Oh, I agree with that. My point is, I think that's their path for this week. That he needs to throw the ball. That he needs, that they need to have a dynamic. They have excellent receivers, a very good offensive line. I think their path in this game, and it's going to control climate environment for Jalen to go out and cook.

Short week. The Flores is his defense. defense sixth in yards, third in passing yards. They're only averaging 158, giving up 158. Right. Here's the issue. And they're off a by. Yeah, the Eagles are off a by. The Eagles are off a by, aren't they?

No, the Vikings just played. The Eagles played Thursday night. The Eagles have extra rest. The Vikings have a short week. The great quarterbacks in the league, I don't look at the passing defense of their opponents. I'm never like, ooh, my home's going to have a tough time.

Oh, Josh Allen's going to have a tough time. Oh, Drake May is going to have a tough time. I just think, you know what? The pressure is on the defense. The pressure is not on the quarterback. So I need to have that same philosophy towards Jalen Hertz. Yes. He needs to win the game.

He needs to win the game. He needs to stop the bleeding. He needs to be the leader. That's the point. I'm going to drive me crazy. I'm the Jalen Hertz guy. But if they win 17, 15, and he's got 112 yards, and you're like, you know what? Winning is the only thing that matters.

Unless Sequin Cook. If Sequin has 130. Sure. If Sequine's B. John Robinson, I'll take it. But no, so that we're saying the same thing. Yes, we're looking. Which is that it is actually disrespectful to Jalen Hertz. Correct.

To not say, hey, we have the Super Bowl MVP and our receivers are healthy. And our team is not in a spiral, but spiral adjacent. You know, and we're playing a backup quarterback. The weather's going to be fine because it's in a dome. I got it. I got it. I got more rest like I got you guys. That's what it should be.

Everybody's healthy pretty much. His weapons are healthy. Yeah. All right. Hurts 2 and O against the Vikings in his career. So that's good. Raiders in Kansas City Sunday at one. Fresh video of Rishie Rice back at practice as he prepares for his debut.

Chiefs are favored by 11 and a half. Here's Patrick Mahomes on his rivalry with the Raiders. When you step in the building during Raider, we, I mean, it's, I always said it doesn't matter if you're doing good, they're doing good, both doing good, both doing bad. This game, it means more to everybody. Everybody that's playing in the game, both sides of the football, and so you have to have that mentality.

It's a true rivalry game. You don't have a lot of those in the NFL, and I'm blessed to be a part of it because it really does bring out the best in both teams. Mahomes versus the Raiders, 12 and 2, total yards, 315, 35 touchdowns, 6 interceptions, pass. Six turnovers. Six turnovers. Because now we do, you made that.

I do like that. You made the adjustment. Total touchdown, so that includes, I think, one rushing and one fumble. We do have a correction from the last. Is it a correction or an apology to me? You shouted me down. This is why it's brewing. No, they're off a short week.

I'm just saying, I mean. The Vikings were on a buy. The Eagles played Thursday. Both teams should be super well rested going into this week. That's all traveled back. Apology except. Nick, do you feel comfortable guaranteeing a double-digit Chief's victory? Before I answer the question.

Yeah. Can I revel in the moment for a second? It's the Raiders. Can I, can I revel? No. If you're asking, the answer's no. Because you told me. Why is he want to rebel?

Why is he want to rebel? But tell me why I can't. He said the Raiders are going to be awesome this year. Because you're like, the chiefs are back. That's basically it. I don't know. You're kind of right. We are just back to such familiar territory.

It warms my heart. Yes. The internet is full of conspiracies, and the topic bars are, of course they'll win, but will it look good? And I just feel it's such a comfortable, warm place for me. You're playing one of the worst teams in the league, so we're trying to go. Well, I don't know. I mean, they beat the Patriots. Week one did.

So I have to tell you they beat the Patriots. Everybody knows. So, and you showed, can we, I mean, Mahomes against the Raiders, it really is stunning. And I know one of the wins came on Christmas and one of the wins John Gruden had the team take. Can you stop with this? What? This is not.

What do you mean? As the leader of the show, Brew, Chris and Company, we've got to stop with this all games before. All games before tackle to turn the tide. It has to be fair. I just like, you know, he did all of this before the tackle the turn of the tide. So imagine what he's going to look like first game against the Raiders post the tackle the turn the tide. So listen, I do actually expect a blowout.

I am not going to be including the Chiefs minus 11 and a half in Nick's picks because if I know anything about Gino, he's going to go down fighting and 17 can become 10 at the end. That's a terrible way to lose a bet. But I think Kansas City, Patrick was not lying when he said Rishi Rice is going to get a full workload here. And I think that we saw it's unique because Rishie got hurt last year, so we didn't see him last year, and then he was suspended. But he did play in the preseason. And the only reason I'm mentioning that is I saw enough in the preseason to know he looked like pre-injury Rishie Rice. So, yes, there will be some rust, but Patrick and Rishi, he's not really a traditional

wide receiver one as far as a deep threat. So much of it is intermediate that the timing, it's not like it is with worthy so much where you really have to be on precise timing. So I would be stunned if the chiefs are not up at least 10 at half time. And now, you know, how the fourth quarter plays out if the game's in hand is something different, but I, in Kansas City is going to annihilate a better than people think Raiders. Wow.

Well, look, I know the Raiders have the amazing Ashton Gentiles, but I'm with Nick. Well, Nick told us that Genti was going to light the league on fire. That's all I'm saying. We are waiting for sort of his breakout moment. Week three, he was unbelievable. Unbelievable? Yeah, I think he had like 160 yards. Yeah, I mean, I think he had.

Very good. But go ahead. Didn't make the show. But it did make the show. When? It doesn't, KW. I'm just saying, I want to be John Robinson. He didn't have a 240-yard game.

He had 160-year-old. He has been better of late. He's got on his average up to four-a-four game. Remember, we did the whole thing about he went back to the Mike Myers' stands. He just did a photo. Go ahead. I do think they're going to blow out. For all, look, Rashid, I just think we see the difference Xavier Worthy made, you know,

just opening things up for Kelsey and all. And Ju-Ju all of a sudden was playing great in Hollywood. And now Rashid, I think more so than these other guys, he'll catch it underneath and take it. And so there's a lot to deal with for the defense. Beyond that, the Raiders four losses have all been by an average of 16 points a game. Three of them were blowouts, all right? And the Chiefs, three wins, two of them against Baltimore and Detroit, have all been by double digits.

So the Chiefs have been. Yeah, they haven't been close wins. No. They have three close losses and three blowout wins. But what they did last year. So, yeah, I expect, I don't know if it'll be like a complete route. It might be 3017 or, you know, something like that. But I do expect a double digits.

3017 is what they did to Detroit. Drop game. Drop game on the board. I think the only thing to lead to it just is a divisional game, but I see no way. I see no. Their defense is actually pretty good. I know. Larry Fitzgerald joins the show on Fox Sports Channel on Sirius XM and right here on FS1.

Hey, if you get a chance, check out the podcast. It's really just flying up the charts. And the YouTube channel, Gia, I was crushing it. Yeah. Had a great video. It's mostly about me, but still, it was like excellent regardless. us joining us now future NFL

Hall of Famer. Very soon. I'm saying first ballot. On behalf of Draft King's Pinkham campaign, which supports the Larry Fitzgerald Foundation and breast cancer awareness all October long,

free to play Pickham Poole's every Sunday is Mr. Larry Fitzgerald. Larry, thank you so much for joining us. We really appreciate it. It was great to be with you guys. It's a big fan of this show. And it's an honor to be with you all today. Wow, that feels great.

Thank you. All right. All right. All right. All right. All right. I just want to ask you about Pooka Nakuwa. Because in my head, somebody says who's the best receiver in football the last few years?

It's Justin Jefferson. If it's not Justin Jefferson, it's Jamar Chase. Those are the guys that I instantly say. But then I watch Pooka Nakua in every week that he's healthy. It feels like he's the most productive player in the league. In your opinion, Does he have an argument that he is the best? And from watching him, what makes him as a mid-round pick that people didn't see this coming?

What makes him as good as he is? I mean, I really enjoy watching them. And what I really like about him is his short air quickness. Like, he's impressed. He doesn't like he's getting a lot of separation. And then he just able to separate in the catch window. It's really good after the catch. He's got really strong hands.

He's an underrated blocker. Now, he's just a really complete player. And I think having D. Adams on the other side also is giving a lot of favorable looks. When you have a guy who can win one-on-one, who's opposite to you, teams can't just primarily focus on you every single time. And he's got the most talented throw over the football in Matthew Stack for throwing it. He can throw it from any arm angle, moving the left or right. And that's Sean McVeigh offense.

I mean, when they get going, I mean, there's only one, I think, is, you know, funner to watch and rhythm, you know, outside of Coach Shannon. hand to 49ers. Larry, Nick's talking about best receiver in the game. Justin Jefferson comes up a lot. And he hasn't, look, Kurt Cousins, very good quarterback. You know, now he's got Carson wins, J.J. McCarthy last year, Sam Darnel. How, and you had Kurt Warner for a little while.

And then, you know, good quarterbacks, but not the elite quarterbacks. How much, when we're talking about the best receivers in the game, how much should we look at guys that don't have the ultra-elite quarterbacks, but are still putting up these huge numbers like a Justin Jefferson or even Garrett Wilson with the Jets is putting up big numbers. How much of a factor should that be? I think you have to take it into consideration. I think, but really to me, you know, I'm not saying Justin is better than Jamar. Jamar is better than Justin.

I mean, I think they're the consensus one-in-one guys. But what he's, what Justin has done it with in terms of the carousel of the quarterbacks, he's played with, I think it really makes it unique. I mean, you never know where the guys lining up is out of the back field. He's, you know, number one, number two, number three, and Trist Formations. He's motioning across the field. Like the guy and his ability to understand concepts and re-free coverages is really special to be able to digest everything he's asked to do every Sunday.

Jamarer is really, really super talented. I mean, I mean, catches it strong with his hands, people bounce off on me, he runs to catch, he runs to tackles all the time. But he does have Joe Burrull. throwing the ball. And I think a healthy Joe Burrow, I mean, he's an MVP candidate. And that's a huge benefit. The way he's able to fit those balls in, I mean, some of those sketches he had last year when he was healthy. And it was his long handoff after long handoff. Larry, what do you make of the Eagles offense where sometimes a mediocre pass game turns into a recipe for success? and sometimes a lackluster passing game just ends up being a lackluster final score.

Then we turn our attention to A.J. Brown, and A.J. Brown's like, hey, you know, I'm A.J. Brown. You could probably throw me the ball a little bit more. And then the media kind of gets on him. But at the same time, through another lens, it looks like, well, he might be the answer to the problems that this offense is having. What do you make the whole Eagles oddity of their offense? Yeah, I mean, it's a head scratcher when you watch it. You look at Devante and you look at Goddard and you look at AJ. You look at Sequin. You look at just all the talented, you know, the offensive line. I mean, they just have a really, really talented group.

And you wonder, why is this not, you know, producing more offensive scoring and explosive plays? You know, I think it really starts. They just got to get the running game going. They got to get Seekwan going like they had them going last year. And everything will come off of that. You get the single coverage looks. You'll get the middle field closed and one-on-one coverage where you want to go and give Jayland favorable looks to be able to make easy reach, which is really important. Like, that's what made them special last year.

Like, they could run it down your throat. There was nothing you can do about it. And then they would hit you with the play action. And they have to be able to reestablish that dominant presence up front, you know, especially as you get later in the year when the weather becomes inclement. Larry, we saw AJ last year when they were. winning, complain about, you know, the passing game, not getting enough targets and stuff. And I'll be honest, I do understand a great player wanting targets and wanting to put up big numbers.

How do you walk that fine line between, yes, we want to win as many games and win a Super Bowl, but I also want to put up huge numbers because I'm like a Hall of Fame potential type receiver. How do you balance that? How does a player balance that, particularly as a wide receiver? where it's just hard, man. It's real hard. I'm not going to lie to you. You know, as a wide receiver,

the first thing you're thinking, and a lot of times, the only thing you're thinking about is your own productivity and what you need to be doing and how they need to be, you know, getting to you. And it's, like, with AJ,

it's not so much, like, how many targets is the quality of the targets, right? Where he's getting post and deep comebacks and stops, you know, and favorable one-on-one looks, right? You know, throwing me a go ball.

you know, when two guys are on, that's not a high quality target to me. So, like, it will be more so to focus on like, hey, like, how do I get good opportunities and favorable looks? Like, those are the things that I always kind of, you know, hold in my mind. You know when coaches were just trying to get you a hitch, you know, just to keep you quiet, right? You want, you want the, you want the real substantive, meaningful targets against good looks. And I think those are the things that I think frustrates him more than anything. This is, I know we were just talking about AJ Brown. This is not specific to AJ, but jumping off from that, can you take us to what it feels

like during a game when you know, man, there have been six times I was open. I, you know, I was part of the primary progression. I was open. And it's not that the ball was inaccurate. they didn't even look, I didn't even get an opportunity. The ball was not thrown my way because that, you know, happens. I'm sure to every receiver at various points, certain guys more. What does that do to almost your spirit during the game and then right after when you

have a game where you know when we cut on the tape, I was winning my matchup and I was not able to take advantage of that? Yeah, I mean, there was many times where, you know, when I was playing, I'm running open. you know, you beat a guy, a guy falls down, and the ball doesn't come to you. You know, you get really frustrated. But also, you know, there's just things that are out of your control that you need to be able to always take in consideration in the body language, especially when you're a leader. The young guys are watching you. It doesn't make the situation any better when you fly off the handle.

Then people are talking more about your antics and the things that you are dealing with in terms of your frustration more so than, you know, the things that you want in terms of positivity and momentum. that you're trying to create throughout the course of the year. So there's a really fine balance. And also, like, your temperament, if you got a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter and there was a play that you wanted to have back, you know, you're not as upset as if you're losing or if the game is tight and you know you can make play. So what kind of ebbs and flows based on what's going on in the game. Hey, Larry, you've seen Stefan Diggs?

He's back in a big way. Yes, yes, yes. My real question is he seems like he came back from his knee injury. We saw him take Josh Allen to another level. And that was kind of the story of like Dayball and Stefan unlocked Josh. Do you think that Drake is just like on this great trajectory or does Stefan being there have a lot to do with that? Well, I think we've all seen, you know, Drake make kind of, you know, splash. you know, over the last year, right?

But now it's the consistency, right? And Stefan is like, he's the confidence builder that a quarterback really wants. I mean, he's able to create separation. He makes tough catches in zone. And man, it's got very reliable hands. Like the throw that, that he made on the right sideline when they were in the scramble drill, when he's rolling out. And there's not a lot of receivers that can make that catch for you, right?

And those catches, right, really, really build confidence in the quarterback to know, like, he will make these tough contested catches. he will make toe-tapped highlight, drill, catches, you know, like those are things that really, really tough out for a young quarterback. And he's been doing that since he was in Minnesota. He did it, you know, he did it in Buffalo. He did it even in Houston before he was banged up. I mean, so everywhere he's done, he's produced.

And he's a quarterback's dream. Drew, okay. Well, Larry. This is, this is, we're sorry for this one. No, no, no. These guys know, once upon a time I was a receiver. Like yourself back in the day in high school. In high school, I played the position, right?

But Larry, I played before gloves. You had to catch the ball with your bare hands. I want to ask you, these sticky gloves, look, they look great, man. I'm glad they have them. How much do they help? I'm seeing all these one-handed catches, particularly in college. How much do these gloves really help? They help a lot, because I'm not going to lie to you.

The silicone, the design of the gloves, definitely enhances your ability to make, you know, really tough catches. But I'll also say that the equipment managers do a really good job of, you know, brushing these balls down. Like, these balls are so tacky compared to when I first got in the league, you know, with Pintar and the different things they do to make the ball a lot easier to throw and handle and inclement weather. You know, so I think the combination of them both is really. beneficial to past catchers. Wow. That's what I thought. They didn't have all that back when I played, man.

So you think you would have probably played at the neck, you'd get them out of the league. Is that what you did? I wish I could say that. I would love to say yes. If we're looking at all the receivers in the game, who would have been to Chris B in the game right now? Who closely resembles you?

What a great question. I mean, probably Jamar. I know it was fine. Jamar and Justin. What those? Pick with you on you on. Hey, Chris, you know, honestly, I used to play basketball in high school. And if I had to pick a guy who game resembles mine, I'm going to go with Wimby.

You know what I'm saying? We all live in the fantasy world. You know what I'm saying? We all live in the fantasy world. Larry, thank you so much. Thank you, man. We appreciate it. We'll have you a impact on.

Anytime you want. Yeah, thank you so much. Peace, man. More first things first after break. Lions bucks Monday night. Detroit favored by almost six. No Brian Brown. She's suspended for his chiefs kerfuffle.

Coach Manjini is here. Coach, are you expecting a Lions bounceback game against what a lot of people think is the best team in the NFL? Yeah, I'm not quite sure. As much huffing and puffing as they did after the last game and all that bravado, Tampa can match their bravado.

Wow. So there's that true component to it. And then the second component is from a passing perspective, Tampa Bay brings a ton of pressure. So they're at almost 32% pressure, which is fourth in the NFL. And golf's had a problem with that, you know, historically has and take a look at what's happened this season. So no pressure versus pressure.

It's 53% versus 84%. Passer rating is significantly different. And they're going to bring the heat because that's, That's how they play defense. And so then you look at the running game, and Detroit's been very good running the ball. They're eighth, but the problem is Tampa Bay's fifth at defending the run.

So in all these different categories, Tampa Bay matches up pretty well, and the fact that Baker's only thrown the one pick this season. To me, that's another really good sign for Tampa Bay. Wow. Listen, no spoilers, but I might have an idea of who coach's upset alert this week might be. A little five and a half, eight and a half pointer

for the Tampa Bay box. Listen, I always. I also think that they've been focused on the wrong thing. I'm not doing the tiny hands thing, KW. You almost did. Oh, I just, I thought, I thought you were too. I thought you were holding. It's right here.

I haven't with me it all the time. But I wasn't going to do a tiny hands bit. It didn't fit. Coach made a salient point about Jared golf struggling with pressure. I just want to have a tiny hand on deck. The point I'm going to make is Jared Gaw. like Dan Campbell yesterday was still talking about, I've never seen a team so mad that the lion's stance seems to be,

yes, what we did was he illegal, but we should have gotten away with it and we're pissed we didn't. And so that to me is weird. Like, the whole controversy is, did the refs get help from New York or not in order to properly adjudicate the play? No one is arguing the play was legal and they got screwed on it. It's really that the right.

So that part's weird to me. The only just, I don't mean to interrupt, before the game, oftentimes if you have a trick play, you'll show it to the officials in the locker room, say we're going to run this play. And we want to make you aware of it, especially if it's pushing something. And typically the officials will say, great, looks good, no problem. And when you get that sign off, that's where, and that's happened in games. games that I've been part of the past where the official signs off on it pregame running the game then they decide they don't like it and it can be really so that they haven't said that that's

you know what happened what what was said is tony dungy was at their practice that week saw them running it saw them running it the way they ran it there out the pa and told the without the pauls and told the people at nbc he was like i thought they changed the rule since i was coaching because i saw them running it illegally but like so i think that is like a little discomfitting to a degree. I also think teams after they play the Chiefs don't typically do that well. And that I think is noteworthy. If we can show you those numbers, there is an element of last two seasons after losing

to the Chiefs. And it's something. Hey, they're five and two. I think there is an element. That is a Nick Wright graphic right there. Well, that's, it's not nothing, coach. No, it is something. I never would have gone there.

Yeah. Well, I mean, I just think you put a lot in. And I think more so, because this is the last two years, to me, the read on it from last year was, because the Chiefs almost all their wins were close wins. So it was like, we were so close to beating the champs. And then we didn't that it takes a little out of you. This is different version, which is we weren't close at all to beating the champs.

And so it's just a big game for the Lions, bro, because they've already lost to Detroit. I'm sorry, they've already lost to Green Bay. They then lose to Tampa fall to four and three. It's a big. It's a huge game, and that's why a bounce back win is incoming. Wow. Detroit will bounce back.

Look, I agree. I don't all love the still, you know, thinking about that Kansas City loss. But they know they, they are too straight. That was a bad loss for them. So they need to come out there. I think Campbell do a good job of turning that anger and disappointment into fuel to win this game. They have, they have not. I just think they're going to turn it around.

And Tampa Bay has been, they've been very fortunate this year. All right. Their first four wins, four of their wins have come by a total of nine points. And some of those were bad teams. Well, they trailed in the final 90 seconds of all four of those games. So I just think that Tampa Bay's luck's going to turn. In this game, I'm not predicting they're going to struggle for a prolonged period. But I think the motivation that the Lions have is so much that they're going to come back and bounce back.

And I think Tampa Bay, their record is a little bit better than they've been playing. Speaking of motivation coming up in four short minutes is the most motivational segment in all of sports. What is this? Wow. It's a show hell. It's a triple of Otani being under duress. Is this true? Or just an interesting?

No comment. Coach, I would also do that in flag football. True story. Live from New York, it's a point that says that Jamar Chase reminds them of their own playing style, and we're not sure he was joking. Larry asked. Wow. We changed the name of the show to you.

One receiver to another. Prissing Company. More accurate. Chris and the boy. Second hour of first thing towards today. Are we expecting Aaron Rogers to shine in prime time? We discussed. Meanwhile, Pasquatch is back to break down all the baseball playoffs.

We've got baseball coming up tonight. We're here. Wow. But right now, of course, there's a motivation. Congratulations. Oh, very. See, most motivational segment all of sports. Also time we read some viewer mail.

No cowboy brew today. As I said, I'm trying to retire the character. Really? You've been trying for a long time. And now I'm set, bro. Because I didn't replace it. It's the issue. Now I've replaced it. Oh, a new member of the Brune universe.

No, no, I'm just trying to get rid of Photoshop's in general. I think that wave crested. Dear Wilds, do you think that Joe Missoula and the Celtics coaches would have cooked brew in his NBA media brethren in his heyday? Thanks, Dawn. Well, this was the story going around. The Celtics media usually have a media on media game. You know, Boston Herald plays Nesson or whatever it is.

But then Joe Mazzula said, actually, you know what? We're playing us. Oh, that's bro. So we went back. This guy here for you youngsters. Yeah. In the archive, you've been falling. Brew, if you could have your dream team.

Who is that that you're posting up? Mike Buckland, who played at the University of Georgia. Yeah, that is true. He played that. He was a walk on. But still. Yeah, see, that's who I'm schooling around. So, what's your dream team of media that you would have to take on Joe

and Zool in the Celtic? Well, back in the day I used to run with Stephen A. It was a good player. He could shoot. Matt Steinmetz. I call him the Larry Bird of the media. I wonder what. Very good.

He's white, but he can ball. He can ball. He's like slow, can't jump, but man, you can't stop him. Buecker you had. Rick Buechre is good. Mike Wise, my former colleague at the New York Times, 6-5. Oh. We had to score more than four points.

That's all I'm saying. Okay. We'd have scored more than four. He set a very high bar there. That's all that's all I scored. 57 to 4. You double them up. Come on.

All right. Time now for the bud list. Here we go. At number three, we're going to baseball. It is that time of year. My man, Shohei O'Tani. Wow.

Now, Shohei, you're in a great position. Yes, I get it. You are struggling. But your team is rolling. All right? Your last two series, six games, two for 25. That's an 80, 80 baton average.

080. All right. So you're obviously struggling, but like I said, the team is rolling. So nobody's jumping on you. And if you guys keep winning, this will be fine. Here's the deal, though. You're the boat, the best of all time. And boats, Michael Jordan, Patrick Mahomes, Tom Brady,

boats get it done in the biggest games. All right? last year in the World Series hit, well, 105 or something like that in the World Series last year. So you struggled in the World Series last year. If you win it, this series, win the World Series. People won't really focus on the struggles. But for your individual accolades,

I know you want to perform better, and your team's going to need it. Now, the thing is you have, unlike everybody else in history, except Babe Ruth, you have two ways to get it right and you're not starting tonight in game three but you will start on the mound in game four so even if you don't hit well

if you pitch lights out then that'll be huge for you so nobody can say that you choked or you're not getting it done in the postseason so you know Boat I believe in you I'm expecting a bounce back game tonight coach all right at number two let's get to the gridiron

Nick Siriani. Not Jalen Hertz. Good. Nick Sirian. I just, the amount of turmoil that seems to follow not only Eagles losses, but wins. It's incredibly unusual. And Nick, I, look, there's something on this show that don't think you're all that hot. I think you are a very good coach.

I mean, I don't know if we have the graphic of your win percentage. It's high. It's incredible. I mean, look at this. Like most of those guys aren't even modern day. All of them are not modern day. John Madden is the closest. So you are doing a phenomenal job.

I obviously have the Super Bowl win and another Super Bowl appearance. And so that gives you the cachet to go ahead and just keep this stuff out of your locker room. You got to talk to the players about, look, after a loss, obviously after a win, let's say the right thing to the media. Let's not criticize our teammates and things like that

and talk about what's wrong if we're winning games. We can talk about it internally, but we don't have to go to the press with it. And this supernatural funk stuff has to end. It cannot be revisited. And I would say this, tonight or this weekend when you guys play, get the ball to Saquine Barkley in the passing game.

He's not running the ball well, get it to him in the passing game, get a few touches in the run game for A.J. Dillon to spare, you know, Sequin some hits. And I would say get it early to A.J. Brown keep him happy. But most importantly, get the W. Nick, I actually believe in you. I really do. All right, number one, Tua. Tough week. Tough year. Tough year. One in five. Y'all might not know this. first season of Tua's career where he has under 500 in games he started. Yeah. Like Tua has one. We haven't ranked him as an elite quarterback even when he had elite numbers a couple years ago.

But he has won. I know he hasn't beaten great teams, but he has won a lot of games and made a difference for that team. This year, of course, they're one in five. You lost your best receiver in Tarek Hill. Your coach seems to be in a lame duck situation. and Mike McDaniel, and you have made some ill-advised comments. Now, I respect that you came out and apologized for it. And I actually like to your demean, like, you speak with authority in a press conference.

He really does. Like, after big losses, you played terribly. But you're speaking with authority, which I like, you just have to understand when you don't play well, or even if you do, you can't point the fingers at. your teammates. You're trying to be a leader. I get it. But do that in the locker room. You can't be pointing your fingers at your teammates in the media.

So look, it's a get right game this weekend against Cleveland. They're one in five like you. Now, they're looking at you. Dylan Gabriel's looking at you guys like, oh, it's time to get my first W. But you guys should go out there and beat the Cleveland Browns.

You must win and you must play well. And if you don't, if you don't play well, if you don't win. Don't point the fingers at your teammates. Point them at yourself. What is it that? What is that saying? Point thumbs not fingers. Point thumbs not fingers. There you go. Tua, I believe in. I believe in your character. I'll say that. That's great. Know what I love about the buddlet? What? What coach? It's constantly evolving. So not only are you giving the motivational segment, but you're giving scouting reports of

Sariani. You say on the passing game. And like you're like there's, There's layers to it. I'm all about helping. It's so good. I'm all about him. So I'm just going to add one person. It kind of, it hurts me a little bit to add this guy because he's near and dear to my heart. I'm going to add Jaden Daniels to this list.

And here's why. So he had the disastrous sort of end of game last week. And he also had the pick that was in the red zone. So he lost points there. And then they turned around. You got a field goal. And then you had the fumble eight. So that's last week.

And then four of the last five games, you've been trailing by 10 points in each of those games, and you lost three out of them. Three of them. So that's problematic as well. Now you go into this week, and you're facing the number one offense with points, and I think they're number two in yards. So a high-powered offense, Dax playing outstanding. But the good news is you're facing the number 32 defense and points and 31 in yards,

so you have an opportunity to be outstanding as well. I think Dan Quinn should give you an edge defensively from his. experience with Brian Schottenheimer and with Dak Prescott. And now for you, this division has changed dramatically with the way that Phillies fallen off. You have a real opportunity that wasn't here two weeks ago to make this much more interesting as we entered sort of the mid part of the season. I like that, coach. I like that coming off the bad game, facing a bad defense. It is a perfect get right game, as we said. Gotta have it. We're a little bit early. No, it's usually 410.

Oh, that it's 412. No, it's supposed to be 4.10. Oh, we're a little bit late. Yeah. It's just right on time. Well, we miss it. Well, it's 410.40 right now. So that means whether you like it or not, it's time for the sports media ombudsman.

So here's the deal. All right. I had a plan this week to not do the sports media ombudsman. Yes. Oh, wow. I was going to do a regular Bud List edition like we used to. And then I was going to have the pass watch come on and do his own sports media ombudsman in the place. Kevin Wilde vetoed it.

I said to him, I said, I didn't even know he had veto power. He was like, obviously. Well, I just thought. Now the past watch is. I thought it would be fun. I thought a player coming in, ripping the media potentially could be fun. Didn't happen. So now I'm a little up in the air.

So a quick, I could have done a sports media ombudsman about the doves on 971. The fan in Detroit, Mike Valenti and company, who have not stopped whining about the penalty all week long. Yes, we've been list. One guy wanted four taunting penalties, called him homes. These babies. See, your team's been good for three years. You act like you've been there before. But I'm not going to do that.

Instead, I'm going to do a regular Bud List edition. Good. Like we used to. This is great. Wow. Why did I do the intro? I don't know. So I am putting Zaire Franklin,

Colts linebacker on the Bud list because he did the single most dangerous thing you can do in football little salty language here kids this is courtesy of the Club 520 podcast which again not safe for work we've cleaned it up as best as we can here's I hear Franklin when asked about

Juju Smith-Schuster getting cheap shot at first of all Juju needed his Buh damn that's just Let's just go there number one. Why does everybody say that? He need, no, he really, him specifically really needs his. What do you? What do you?

Bro, he's been needing his a minute. Brian Ben's doing the work of the Lord, bro. Brew, I don't know if your earpiece was working. The short version of it is he said juju needed his buttwold. And they said it repeatedly. So the most dangerous thing in football you can do is, of course, give. the Kansas City Chiefs and most notably Patrick Mahomes, actual bulletin board material.

Is it coming out? No, it's not. But I have retired the bulletin board for now. I decided it was only deserving when the Chiefs were the actual defending champions. We're getting there. Otherwise, but let me just explain, though. The Chiefs have a tough schedule, you know, coming up a tough schedule all year. They don't have many non-premier primetime games.

They only have a few 1 o'clock Sunday starts all year. One of them is the Colts game, which comes right after the Broncos game, huge divisional game, and four days before the Cowboys game on Thanksgiving, which I'll go ahead and say will be the most watched regular season game the NFL's had, maybe ever. If there was ever a time the Chiefs might not be fully locked in for an opponent, it would be sandwiched in between. It goes Bill's game, Broncos game, Cowboys game on Thanksgiving. that Colts game. Well, now they will be. You've got Zaire Franklin out here,

and he went on much longer talking about Juju Smith-Schuster. I don't, it's all been going so well for the Colts this year. They've been flying under the radar. They're five in one with no controversy. But here's the thing. At the end of the day, if they stay up this hot, the team they're going to be competing with for the one seed is the Kansas City Chiefs. Beating the Chiefs in that game when you already have this type of lead

would give you probably an insurmountable edge. Sayre Franklin, going on Jeff Teague's podcast, talking crazy about a game he had nothing to do with. What are you thinking? Sayer Franklin, I don't believe in you. Even though you were all pro last year, I think it's a bad job by him. Can't say something?

You got to open up the aperture a little bit on sports media on Budzman. Jeff Teague's podcast is within your jurisdiction. It's media. Yeah. You're right. Sports media on BuzzFoods. Yeah, exactly.

Back. Yeah, we're back. I'm putting old, I'm putting father time on the bud list. Quick story now that we're getting

a little bit closer to Halloween. I don't know if you're anyone is a fan of horror movies. I don't know if you're a fan of horror movies, are you,

ever watch a horror movie? I'm sure you've seen it. Doesn't really seem like his cup of tea. Scariest horror movies are when there's demented children. Oh, like haunted, haunted kids.

Yikes, the actressess, that type of stuff? Weapons, the one that just came out. I didn't see that. That one too scary. Like dolls?

So, no, I don't know. Haunted dolls. The scary also scary. But there's always a scene in these haunted kid movies where the kid comes to the dinner table starts speaking a dead language. And the ghost hunter is like, that language hasn't been spoken in 10,000 years. That's the first sign you know your kid is haunted or been taken over by the devil himself. Well, the other day I was at my own dinner table.

And my children started speaking in so many slang terms that my wife and I called the ghost hunter. And we said, are my children possessed? And they say, no, you're just chopped and washed. I said, okay, sorry, I understood. But it made me and my wife both feel like we were old and just going to out to pasture, you know, put us in the home. Maybe get myself a robot. Stop. I'm just saying because loneliness is an epidemic.

Luckily have my wife, but I'm getting very old. Yeah. And then there's nights like tonight where I feel I'm not old on prime time. Tonight. Well done. There will be three 40-year-olds throwing that thing around. Joe Flacco, Aaron Rogers, Max Scherzer, a combined 57 seasons of experience over 1,000 games. and Josh did Scherzer's pitches over 66,000 in throws.

Good job, Josh. And the best part about this, one of them is going to win. Maybe two. Maybe two. It is a no-lose situation for 40-year-olds. I know you might be thinking, oh, wow, what about LeBron? LeBron's hurt. That's a bad sign.

Maybe we are a Washington chop. Can I? Wrong. Chris Paul played last night and did great. Chris Paul steps. Is he 40? Yeah, just turned 40. 8 points, 10 assists, plus minus, a 24 in a preseason game.

First Paul's doing great. I think he's where he's positive, but I probably should have double-checked it. So far the time, we're back. We're not, Washington, Job. Can I, Brew, I know you're the one supposed to respond, but may I say something real quick to that? Absolutely. I think it's a great, great wilds.

And it should make me feel excellent. Why? Because I'm a 40, I'm their age. I'm 40, 41. There aren't a lot of 50. I am. I you're right about that you've been through it that that's all true just out there late nights that's all true I don't I fail to see how this applies to you because you're about to turn 50

you I bet I am 50 that's what I thought that's what I thought just post 40 oh okay just not oh so I feel good so the Brue should feel good too yeah we all should feel good I feel good Coach? Yeah. Yeah, you feel good too. Everybody except Josh and Ramsey and just the young the young people should feel bad. Yes. The 40 and up crowd should feel good.

Yes, they're actually young washed table full of young washed. Yep. Right. Yes. This is the unc talk. Coming up next. The pass squad awaits us.

Wow, the passports got a beautiful suit on. I like that the pass squad still wears royals colors. Yeah, of course. I also represent. Yeah, looking great. Passwatch talking baseball. He got everything right yesterday. Next.

I can't wait to hear him. Before we let you go, do you have a prediction for tonight's game? No, I need to know if the roof is open or closed because you cannot see there when it's like twilight. So if the roof is open and the sun's out, if the roof is open, sun is out. I'm taking the Blue Jays. If not, I'm taking the mayor. Gorgeous night here in Seattle. The roof open.

Shane Bieber spins it a little bit better than George Kirby, and it's harder to see spin. Shane Bieber, who has transformed from his first game to this one, 7Ks. Vlad's struggling. I mean, he went off in the last series against New York. If he gets three hits tonight, he's a 300 hitter of this series. Vlad Jr. sends a high drive to deep center field. Rodriguez to the wall. It's gone. single double Homer Vlad Jr.'s back. I was gonna say the single.

It was more of like a quiz. We're testing. Welcome back to first things first. The Pasquatch, just classic one. That's your first classic one. Immediately right on everything. Congratulations. You're sort of the arbiter of classic ones. Well, to my categories, historically it applies to my opinions,

my opinions, but I don't like when you say you had a classic one or two or something, but Vinnie can have it. I probably should have retired after yesterday. I mean, it was pretty good. Real quick. That could the, if the Mariners agreed with you, they should have closed the roof. Like, it's their stadium. Like, I thought, they must, they must not think it has as much of an impact as we saw that

did. That was great. So, I mean, Vladie did get four hits. We're going to start there. Yeah. Do you have its batting average in the? The series. You have four for 11, so it's 360.

So I want to get your quick opinion on this, a small thing, and then we'll get to a bigger picture. Blue Jays are up 12 to 2 on the 8th here, really, okay? He's got a single double in a home run. He's a triple away. He hits this one. That is a triple ball. You are not a necessarily speedster on the base.

I have three triples. Okay, there you go. You're up 12 to, but it's the playoffs. Do you think he should have gone for the cyclist? Teammates kind of feel like they wanted him to. Postseason stats don't matter. So, like, when you look at, just when you look at the history, when you look at players' histories, it's kind of hard to find playoffs out sometimes. So I guess it would have been cool, but I don't think it really matters.

I think he would have got nailed, too. It looked like he would have been fun. That's why I would think, honestly, like a little spark to like, oh, he tried for it. We're having fun. The pressure's off. I think that's something. So you think he should have? Yeah, even if he gets thrown out head first slide.

So it's a larger question. Do you think the Blue Jays can take this moment? them and win another one. They need Scherzer to go tonight. I think if he throws more than three innings, they win. So that's my prediction for tonight. Write it down. I think if Scherzer goes more than three, the Blue Jays win.

They, it would be a, listen, I understand. Scherzer's a future Hall of Famers won three Scyon. He, and I mean, he was on a World Series champion a couple years ago. Now he got hurt during that postseason. He obviously has not been good with the Blue Jays. He was mediocre. and at the end of the year got, you guys beat him 20 to 1 and struggled. Hold on the score is 20 to 1.

It was a source of pride a little bit for us. It was the worst start of his career, I think. In terms of length, he didn't get out of the first inning. 20 to 1 is rough. Yeah, and that was two, that was his second most recent start. He started one game since. Yeah, so he's had a lot of rest, so he's healthy. Go ahead.

Because he was, you know, you could definitely tell he was grinding a little bit. So getting him back in healthy. This is his first one of the postseason, right? Yeah, the first one since September 24th. Yeah, so he'll be healthy, he'll be ready to go. But we'll see how they want to do. What do you think when they're preparing for the game, they being the Blue Jays, are penciling in?

All right, we're going to get X amount of outs out of max tonight. They're probably, if I had to just guess, they're probably looking at one time through the order. Okay. So that's why you're saying three innings. That would be my guess is that they'd like him to get somewhere between 9 to 15 outs. So 15 would be great. I mean, I think he's.

He's got a 17 ERA in his last two outings. But how confident you think he, you know, do you feel in him going out there and turning back the clock and having a great point? I'm pretty confident in it. The thing is, is he loves his fastball. He's old school in that regard. When he gets into trouble, he falls and falls to the fastball. It's his pitch.

So we'll see if the Mariners are ready. I mean, they'll be ready for it. They know that too. So it'll be interesting. But it's Max, it's Max freaking Scherzer. It's one of the best pitchers of all time. So if you, like with your kind of, you know, obviously professional eye, what are you looking for early on in the game, you know, first few hitters where you will see like,

oh, he's got it or he doesn't? It'll be the fastball at the top of the strike zone, a little bit above, and it'll be the slider. What do you mean? Like that he's hitting those spots or it's got speed on? If he's got that control. I think his velocity will be anywhere from 92 to 92. tonight. Seattle's good place to pitch. If like I'm envisioning him going down and in sliders to Raleigh and if he's

landing them for swings and misses like just off the strike zone a little bit below a little bit in, if he's able to get those swings and misses they'll have a good night. Can I I want to ask it just because when you said those that miles per hour I want to ask a generic question that might apply more to you know kind of vintage Mac Scherzer than current but I think it's an informative of the audience. Well you and I were talking yesterday off the air about how so many guys, young guys, come up, maybe they have short careers, but they can throw 100. And it seems like it's commonplace these days for guys to be throwing 101, 102.

When that exists, and some of the best pitchers like Scherzer in his heyday, I know he could touch 99, but his fastball sat around 95. What is, how can a guy be an overpowering pitcher the way he was without having overpowering power. Like what is it that he can do that allows him to compensate for the fact that he's not throwing 102 the way some guys are? Well, I think I can say this. It's what we would call an FU fastball.

There's just a lot of confidence behind it of he, there was some stat given a few years ago. I remember reading because we faced him in 24 when he was coming off of injury with Texas. And basically the stat is he leads the league in middle, middle pitches. he's coming right after you. He's not scared to get ahead O2. So that's kind of where it's the ability that he has to just be so confident in that fastball

that it makes you uncomfortable in the batters box because it's an interesting arm slot. The angle's a little different. You can't see it as well as you can from other people. So it's just a little bit uncomfortable in there on him. And there is that piece where you know how great a guy is. You want to make sure that you get him. You don't want him to get you.

Just follow up real quick about last night. So I was rooting for the Blue Jays because I won a long series. Like I don't really have a rooting interest in the series other than I didn't want to sweep. So when I saw the Mariners go up 2-0 in the first inning with the home run that we showed, it's like, well, this is a bummer. Like they got beat up the first two games in Toronto. Now it's 2-0 on the road. I was shocked that they responded the way they did.

A, were you surprised and B can't like, are the Blue Jays now on? a position where if they win tonight, they have stolen the series back from Seattle. Yeah, well, because then you guarantee you go back home. So I think that's important, and they've been really good in Toronto all year, and it's nice to get back to your home. But I think the way that they did it instills confidence in you with Ernie Clement, who's hitting eighth, him, I believe it was a double down the left field line, a pitch in off the strike zone, and then Andres Jimenez hitting a homer there to tie the game up.

I mean, that's huge. So the ability to do that is just. That's what you're looking for in the playoffs is, in my opinion, I've always thought the bottom of the lineup carries teams the World Series. How can you flip to get to the middle of your order? If you can have guys on base for them, that's where they're going to do their damage.

And if you can flip the lineup and if those guys can provide any sort of power at all, that's where you're going to win championship. I like that. As a guy who was at the bottom of the order, I used to, you know, I like that. I mean, the Mariners should win this one. If you steal the first two games on the road,

you win the playoffs series 89% of the time. Historically, there has been a few changes, but we'll see. Meanwhile, in L.A., the Brewers trying to show that they've got a pulse at the plate since they've only gotten five hits, Vinny, this whole series. Dodgers pitching historically excellent. Postseason ERA of 1.54. Now, for perspective, here's what Alden Gonzalez wrote on ESPN. The Dodgers foursome of Otani, Blake Snell, Yamamoto, and Glassman.

I was pitching tonight, has been better so far at least. than the 1996 braids of Maddox Clavin and Smoltz better than a 1912 New York giant staff led by Christy Matthews and Brew is he nice guy he's such a star covered that 96 world dead ball era and of course you know in snakes lore oh yeah this is an all-time snakes team Randy Johnson and Kurt Schilling so glass now tonight Vinny do expect the Dodgers dominance to continue It's hard to argue against. That's a why. I felt like that was just like, oh, I didn't know I'm watching a historic, like an all-time pitching. Yeah.

If the brewers can put pitches on glass not a night, they can be successful. That's where you get him is he's throwing his best stuff all the time. He's not necessarily trying to command it. Like he's just trying to throw it in the strike zone somewhere. They're going to set up middle and he's got really good stuff. So it just, his control sometimes gets a little out of whack. So if they can get him out within the. What does that mean for a hitter?

When you're saying, like, he's just got really good stuff and he's not really aiming his pitches. It's just I'm going to, what does that mean for you? If you know that about a pitcher, what does that mean for your approach? It means you got to pick. Either I want to be way more aggressive or way less aggressive. You can't really be in the middle of, all right, I want to try to have a good at bat off this guy. It's just, all right, I know he's going to be throwing 95 to 99 with a little bit of cut on his fastball. I know he's going to rip his slider, which just means he's going to try to throw it as hard as possible.

If you're lefty, he's going to try to get it in off the plate and break your bat. And if you're righty, he wants you to chase that pitch away. But if you're stubborn enough in the box and you're looking for pitches down the middle and you stay to that plan, you can get him to make him walk of you. You're going to strike out. He's going to strike you out no matter what. And you just try to, you almost try to get him out of the game. That's the goal.

We know that they thought about throwing Otani tonight decided not. So do you think that's the right decision or does it even matter? I think it's probably what Otani wanted, I'm guessing. And also, if they win tonight, you know, you go up 3-0 and Otani has a chance to eliminate some of the hitting woes with a nice pitching performance to win the series tonight. Be good for you guys to talk about. Absolutely. You look like the Dodgers might just cruise. It's very forgotten that the Brewers had the best record in baseball season.

But it is, you watch the series and it's just, you know, it's not tough to watch by any means, but it's just like, man, come on, Brewers. They just see like a super team. Right. I mean, they literally, but. I mean, they are a super team from the, but here's. Financially. The other piece of it is this. Like, listen, the Dodgers annihilated them in game two.

And Yamamoto obviously had the complete game. We are also potentially, I forget the guy's name, I apologize. One hitter from not moving out of the way from a pitch to this series being under a totally different light, which is, why did you take out Snell? the Dodgers bullpen, which was the only real concern about the team coming in, potentially costing them game two. So this is kind of, I guess,

I want to go back all the way to game one and ask about the bullpen. First one is this. I saw that. I was watching it oddly with the diehard Brewers fan and we're like, oh my God, you got to let it hit you. Is that realistic

if someone in the batters box to be able to process situation, like I should let this hit me? Or is it just, All of your instinct is I should not let this thing hit me. It's tough. I mean, I went to college and college coaches love getting hit by pitches. So I was basically taught for three years to lock my feet.

But a person who gets hit by a lot of pitches, most people define as ballplayer. Like, that is what you, you know, the gritty. And Bryce Terang is that. Yep. So him getting out of that way, getting out of the way of that pitch sucks. Because you could see his body language right after it happened. Like, he knew. Right. He won't, like he regretted it instantly.

I almost feel like he swung at the next pitch because he couldn't remove himself from what had just happened. Oh, that's interesting. Like he was probably a little panicked of, oh, my God, what just happened? Why did I not let that pitch hit me? So it sucks because you could have, it could be one one. Brewers could be up too. You never know what could happen. And but then to go back to what you were saying real before we move on, if you're a, if the plan is,

just want to get the starter out of the game. Is it as simple as we're not swinging at first pitches? We are, you know, we are just trying to work his pitch count, even at the expense of maybe leaving some potential hits on the board early in counts just to force him to work the count to try to get to the bullpen? It's that cat and mouse game because a little bit, maybe you want to be a little bit more patient, but also if they start to see that you're not swinging early, now you're down 02 every at bat and he could be out of there at nine pitches if he does it right.

So, but I mean, I think Glass and I would admit himself, like he's not necessarily trying to go be Greg Maddox out there. He's trying to strike you out as quick as he can. So he could get up O2 every bat and then you got to play the game of, hey, I will swing early if it's there, but if it's not exactly where I want it, I'm going to lay off of it. All right. Before we let you go and you will be on frenemies and O. Yeah. First thing, first, O.T. What are your predictions for it tonight? Give us some of the Max Schurzer thing.

Do you have anything else? Because you had like five in a row to start the second. For the Dodgers game? Yeah. I think the Brewers gives to all. I say the Brewers win tonight. I don't know how. I'm not as connected to the NL as I am, the AAL.

Okay. But Otani gets the hit off of another lefty to start the game. Aaron Ashby starting bullpen game for the Brewers, which is a little scary. But I think the Brewers pull it off tonight. They win. That's it. That's my progression. What about Steelers, Bengals?

Steele. Flacco. Yeah. Flacco. Those for like 500. Oh, wow. Love it. I mean, he's facing my former quarterback. Oh, yeah, that's right.

Go Bengals. All right, tonight is game for Vlad in the Blue Jays, taken on the Mariners 8 o'clock right here on FS1. Thank you, Vinnie. Stick around. More first things first after the break. Start your Saturday Strong, Michigan, Washington at the Big House. Coverage starts, 10 a.m. with Big Noon kickoff. Then it's Wolverines.

Wolverines Huskies at noon. Shout out to Washington. Lots. Big week for Washington. Huge week for Washington. Also, Fox Super 6 NFL Challenge. You download the app and you enter for a free shot to win your share of $10,000 in cash prizes. You are not eligible. No, I've won it too off.

Correct. Welcome back to show. Coach Manjini back. Steelers Bengals tonight. Combined age of the quarterbacks, 81. Here's how they fared this year. Kind of the opposite, 4-1-1-1-4. But look at Flacco's numbers with the Bengals, 2-19, 2 touchdowns, no interceptions, and his first game.

So pretty good. Coach, could you see Flacco out playing Aaron Rogers tonight? So I get why Tomlowe was mad, and we talked about this a little bit yesterday. Flacco's 11-11 against the Steelers. There's nobody that has more working knowledge of how that does. defense plays and how they can exploit it. And he has the ability to go off at any point. So you're a little James Winston-esque where it can be five touchdowns for you or could be, you know, five picks the other way. So all that stuff is exciting. Now the downside here is the Steelers

are going for a record, but none of the great Steelers defense has achieved. So they've had three straight games with five sacks. If they get at five sacks this game, that'll be the first time in Steelers history that's ever happened. Well, they've done it three games in a row where they've had five or more sacks. So since 1963, no Steelers team has ever done that. And so they're they're searching for that record. And flacco against pressure, I talked a little bit earlier about golf against pressure, but flacco against pressure, if we can pull up the graphic, it's not good.

It's not good. No. I mean, to be fair, flaco without pressure is not correct. Going from 85.2 to 34.8 is really bad. Is that as simple as coach as like, tell me if I'm just too simplistic. 40-year-olds do not want to be found on the ground? Well, nobody really wants to be found on the ground, but he's a stationary target too. So he needs a clean pocket.

And actually, he had a little bit ability to move outside the pocket back in the day. But that's gone. In the standard definition era. So we've got the Steelers now, you know, third highest team in pressure looking for a sack record. So I'm very confident Joe Blacker's not going to be sacked five times tonight. Wow, you're betting that? Well, I just think by, if it gets to sack four, I don't know if he's on the field for sack five. So I just, I don't know if it's going to get there.

I also think he absolutely could have the better game. Oh. And I understand this is not apples to apples. It's not totally fair. but if we treat him becoming a bangle in a similar light as him taking over in Cleveland after Deshawn got hurt, when he took over in Cleveland,

there's five games he played before the playoffs. The first game was a disaster, and by the way, he wasn't a disaster last week. They lost by 17. He looked old. 75 rating. The next four, they went undefeated. He threw for 3.40 a game.

Still turned it over a couple times a game, because why not? Have fun. Yeah, and through three touchdowns. His numbers this year to coach's point, it shows he's a lesser player than he was two years ago, but it's also he had lesser weapons in Cleveland than he has right now in Cincinnati.

I think Cincinnati is a very live dog tonight. Because one of the benefits I feel, brew, of having Flacco is what coach said, which is he is not. going to play to not make mistakes. Yeah, that's not. And so he's out, like, he doesn't need the money. He loves to play, and he loves to chuck it deep.

Yeah. And Jamar Chase wants to get his numbers. T. Higgins has not had a good year. Right. He wants to get his numbers. And I think the Steelers are slightly overvalued. Huh. And so that's where I fall.

I hear all that, because I do just feel like Flacco, like I've said it, and it showed that. when his time in Cleveland, he could have a four or five game stretch where he just lights it up. And so that could come. But then when I look at what coach, what you said with the Pittsburgh pressure,

they're second in the league in sacks with 20. And we know Cincinnati's offensive line isn't great. At Flacco's age, he's not mobile. And then on top of that, Cincinnati's defense, which is giving up the second most passing yards in the league. So I just think Rogers is facing

a pretty weak defense and Flacco is facing a really tough defense. So that makes me feel like Rogers should definitely have the upper hand. And he's better at this point. There's no question about that. So I'm going to go with Rogers and just give Flacco the, hey, any given Sunday or Thursday in this case, anything can happen. It's time now. Sorry, before we go to break for your favorite segment, picks.

I love it. Okay, here we go. Coach your start first. Yeah, look, I really want to go with Flacco, but I'm not going to. And I'm going 24-17 Steelers. Oh, wow, with an exact score. Oh, we're not. No, that's great.

It's a bonus, coach, and now you're only correct if that's the exact score. I'm not giving you a score. No, okay, good. But the Bengals are going to win. The Bengals are going to win. The Steelers are not, this is not savvy analysis. I understand that, okay? But the Steelers are not a six-in-one team.

That's my analysis. That's what I said about Indy, not five and one. The, there's, I'm sorry, a five and one team, pardon me, because they had the ball. They had the ball. Right, correct. So the Steelers are not going to be a five and one team. The Bengals are not going to lose five in a row. The Bengals somehow win tonight.

Just because I'm up next for you're going to run the anchor leg. I thought when Tomlin was upset, I thought that was real that he didn't want to play black. Oh, it's real. And we see, I have so many storylines on the show about wide receivers wanting the ball. And there's always all this, like, team unity, and should you be saying this? And are you throwing the quarterback off? And we saw it again.

They were like, what if Jamar comes to the huddle? And he'll throw it too much. He's like, oh, who cares? He'll be happy to. Yeah, well, sure. I'm out here having fun. He's playing so loose and carefree. I've never seen it.

I will also go Bengals. Wow. Wow. Look, I hope you guys are right. Obviously, I'm still holding out hope for my Ravens. This would be great for the Ravens if the Bengals win. but I'm with coach. I mean, Tomlin, look, he's going to use that as motivation for his players,

and they know what is coming schedule-wise. They know what the Ravens are about to get Lamar back. So I'm going to go with the Steelers in this one. But I hope you guys are right. Thank you. And just for the record, as we debuted this new graphic. You told him Steelers before? Well, you've made some good points.

You changed your mind? I thought I told him Steelers before and changed his mind. So you know what? Wilds is picking a tie. I don't want to be the film. Got a tie. Why? These graphics done. Can I just tell you what just happened?

What just happened? I won't know. Wilds didn't like the idea that the Bengals could win and I would get to be like, I'm the only one who called it. So he said, no, I'm just going to jump on with it. Different stuff. The novelty? Yeah, I think it's great. Great for all the old guys, you know.

I think I'm kind of going like this. Body-wise, you know, I'm just getting healthy. I had a great break on the bi-week, spent a time with my body work guru guy out West. First couple weeks, I was a little tighter, I felt like, and I'm starting to loosen up and feel a little bit more like myself. Okay, welcome to first things first OT. That's Aaron Rogers on tonight's matchup

against fellow 40-year-old Joe Flacco. Now, would they win the Steelers, Danny, who you supposedly believe in? Yeah. Would move to 5 in 1. Now, this graphic is all you need to know. Okay? I'll scrap all my research.

That's right. After starting 5 or 1 and better, the Steelers under Mike Tomlin, either won the Super Bowl, went 12 and 4, lost the Super Bowl, went 12 and 4, or lost a wild card round at 12 and 4. So if they win tonight, this is the only path you can go down. They will be 5 and 1, which means they will go 12 and 4 and then have a 2 thirds chance of going,

at least going to the Super Bowl. How does this is real quick for Danny Ante? What is how does it impact that they literally can't finish 12 and 4? A tie? A tie? 12, 4 and 1. How seriously should we take the Steelers with a win? Yeah, I'm just going to take this to tear it up.

Put your graphic right back up on the screen. I think we should take them serious. And it's partly because of the Steelers. And it's partly because everything else in the AFC and in particular their division has crumbled around. them. Like, I had the Steelers as a playoff team before the year. And all that's happened since is Joe Burrow has gotten hurt.

The Ravens have fallen apart. And Aaron Rogers has stayed healthy. Like, the first two weeks, it looked really bad. He took seven sacks in those first two games. And I was like, oh, Aaron Rogers is not going to survive the year. And now, time to throw. He is the fastest in the NFL. And it doesn't look pretty.

So do you think that's a good sign? I think it's a good sign for him staying healthy. Okay. I don't think it allows you to have a top 10 offense in the NFL. But what I said before the year was they didn't need him to be a top 10 offense in the NFL. The whole point was if they could have a winning record with Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, Aaron Rogers can be better than that. And they spend more money on the defensive side of the ball than any team in the league.

And I think we all agree week one is weird. Like it can lead to weird results. Wild certainly did. Yeah. I mean, some things are very indicative of how the season will go, like the Raiders beating the Patriots. Other than that, week one can be weird. But you said, like, you mentioned it earlier.

Like, that Jets game was just weird. Like, Rogers threw for four touchdowns, but their defense gave up 32 points to the Jets. So if we remove week one. Wilde loves this. The past game was weird, too, though. They've had a lot of weird ones, but I'm saying defensively. Defensively. specific because they spend more money on the defensive side of the ball than anyone.

The defense's gotten it together. If you remove week one against the Jets, they've got more takeaways than touchdowns allowed. And they're allowing less than 20 a game. Aaron Rogers, with that defense, healthy, absolutely in this AFC, has them as a contender. No question. Contender to win the AFC? To win a playoff game.

And then who knows? Absolutely. A home playoff game where they could end up playing. the Chargers or the Broncos? Hey, hey, hey. They're saying bad about the Chargers. I do love the Chargers. My point is, the AFC and the NFL is flawed. So can I, so I agree with that sentiment that there is no great team except for the team

makes Super Bowl every year that happens to be in their conference. But let's just assume for a moment, let's just say the Chiefs are removed, you know, for whatever reason. You know, the Mahomes retires. The Chiefs are removed. Wow. I still would not consider the Steelers contend. My buckets of contenders, no matter what happens tonight, would be Kansas City here, but take them out.

If Kansas City is out, Buffalo is by themselves, in my opinion, atop the AFC as far as contenders. The next bucket that I would have would have the cults, the Patriots, and the Chargers, and not the Steelers. Then I would almost carve out a little, yeah, maybe Baltimore, just because if they get, if they were to get, get in, they would be scary because it would mean they have fixed them defense and they're red hot. And then I would have Pittsburgh alongside my beloved Jags and the Broncos as flawed teams with good defenses that I would put them there. And here is my concern about Pittsburgh that I'm a little surprised you don't share because I know in stuff like this, we very often see it somewhat similarly. The way their defense is making plays doesn't feel sustainable. They're giving us. They're

giving up, and I don't know if we can show their ranks or not Christina, but their yardage ranks, and this does include week one. Right. But they are a bottom eight defense in yards, yards allowed, I think yards per play. Yeah. And they are making all their money on big plays, the havoc plays. There it is. Takeaways, sacks, stopping teams in the red zone.

And it's very, it's similar to what they're doing on offense. On offense, they're not really moving the ball that well, but they're not turning it They're crushing in the plus minus. They're crushing in the sack differential. They're avoiding the negative plays. Even if I believe Rogers can continue to be careful with the ball and they can protect him, do I actually think they are going to force this level of turnovers and create this level of sacks moving forward?

I don't know that I do. Well, I do normally agree with you, but their defense in terms of the personnel is awesome. T.J. Watts is awesome. And if you take out the first couple, like Seattle put 31 on them. Lately they've played a lot better defensively. I'll give you that. Look, it's too early for me to say they're a top tier AFC contender.

They can show me that at some point, and it'll be right after this game. Because then you got Green Bay, you got Indy, you got the Chargers, then they still have Buffalo and then Detroit and the Ravens twice. So they will have their, and I'm not saying. they have to win all those games. But let's see how they play against somebody like that. Because they ran into a team you think is top five in the league in Seattle and lost by two touchdowns.

So let's see what they can do. Cincinnati, they should win this game. I get it. It's a conference game. Division game. Flacco could, you know, do something special. He's got the weapons.

I expect them to win tonight. But what will really tell me if they are on the level you say they are is what they do over these next few weeks. Yeah, and listen, I had them just outside the top 10 on top 10 Tuesday, but to me, what you just said is they're going to have the opportunity. And we all said it before the year when we looked at the schedule. If they stack their wins early, they stack their wins early, and then we're going to get the test.

We're going to get the test to see if it actually is there. But an 11-win season for Pittsburgh winning the division, that would be a great year. That feels very on the board based on how this has gone. I agree with that. I also think you can, people will get themselves in a little bit of trouble if you look. Because if you look at the Steelers' strength of schedule remaining, it actually ranks as one of the easier ones because they have two games against one and five Baltimore that is not indicative. Because I know Baltimore's defense has been terrible all year except one game.

But when Lamar Jackson's there, they're not a one-win team. No, they will be tested. I just, I think they are one of the more, I think maybe the most flawed of the one-lost teams, and I think you could see it tonight. I wouldn't be surprised at all if Cincinnati wins tonight. I like Pittsburgh, but. This guy's picked both sides of this game twice. And a time.

It's not covered all the basics. Saints in Chicago, Sunday at one on Fox. Caleb looking to build on the Bears winning streak. Take a listen. I think that's always something. Being able to have growth and understand where I'm at, but also understand where I can be and where I will be. I've been saying that since I've been here that I've got a lot in the tank for this team,

and I'll do whatever I have to do to be able to help this team win. All right, Danny, do you need to see a monster game from Caleb Williams? Yeah, it's about that time. Oh, about that time. And I think he's been right there on the cusp. He's had really nice moments. He's finished strong in the Raiders game, finished strong against Washington,

obviously the monster game against Dallas. But like, well, we don't count that. We've decided. We've just decided. We've decided that monster games against the Cowboys, like they don't really count. I'm sorry. Yeah, fair enough.

But I think that the running game looking good against Washington when it was not expected to, like improving the running game out of the, by will help him. That was a key of Ben Johnson's offense going back to Detroit. And then it just sets up for like the Saints defense is awful against the past

specifically. Like they've been a little frisky and Rattler is good, but defensively everyone kind of eats on them. And so I would expect this to be a game plan where Caleb Williams is going to throw the ball. And, and I do like this stat, and it does feed into my belief

in Caleb Williams, he doesn't turn it over and he really plays well at home. Best touchdown the interception ratio since the start of last year. Wow. I mean, that's good company for Caleb Williams. Honestly, I got to tell you. Go ahead. It's too good of company.

That's right. I would have. That is such, that is such good company. No, I mean, it's not cooking the books. Eight to one touch on the reception ratio. And it's a very straightforward. There's no extra qualifiers, but it's such a good company. It feels like

it self-defeating. It's like a lot of the... I'm just telling you, it feels to be in the same vein as some of Wilde's Nick Siriani graphics. It's my Drake May Randall Cunningham.

Drake May. Like it's true, but... So while I didn't love that graphic, I agree with Danny. And I also, not that this matters huge, but it's noteworthy to me. They're on three-game winning street.

He's been on three-game winning streak once. prior in his NFL career and it ended with Danny falling to his knees in my living room while he'll hear of Mary because you cried and it cost me thousands of dollars and you were dead I mean I mean I don't have CCT TV but it sure seemed like it was an emotional moment and it started a downward spiral for him and for the organization for you a lot of things he lost 10 a row right that is what it was 10 I didn't realize he was 10. But he wasn't throwing his own picks.

And so they won against green back. I looked, Bru, I think you agreed with me. Going into the Washington game out of a buy, it was get a win and give your team real momentum. Doesn't really matter how Caleb plays as long as they win. This game, you kind of have to have your cake and eat it too. They need to win this game. They're at home against a one-win Saints team. Spencer Rattler.

Does he count as quarterbacks from Caleb's draft class? I mean, he is a quarterback from his draft class. He gets back-to-back wins over quarterbacks from your draft class. And Caleb should look good to give you confidence going into their next two games against Baltimore and then Sinci that Caleb can look good against those defenses. Even if you don't beat Baltimore in, I know the Raven Super Bowl that you've been talking about. Well, look, I think you guys are looking at Caleb as a future super duper star. And I know you are for sure.

So if I'm looking at it through that lens, then sure. To think he's going to be that, I need to see him lighted up against New Orleans when he hasn't really lit anybody up since Dallas, which everybody seems to be doing. For me, though, I need a win and a good, solid, clean performance. Now, he's pretty clean generally in his game. But, I mean, like I thought what he did last week, they got weapons. and don't get the ball to those weapons and let them do a lot of the work. You know, and so if he's clean and 230 yards, nice, solid passer rating, maybe a couple two touchdowns, no picks, like, that's not a monster game,

but if he does that in a win, I'm good with it because I know he can have the monster games. He had several last year. In losses. Yeah, right. So I know he's capable of that and the spectacular. I just still want to see him making the right decisions, him getting the ball to the playmakers, and that stuff. So if I see that in the win, I'm actually good with it.

And to be very clear, if that exact scenario happens, I'm not going to come in here on Monday, like, disappointed. Because he will have played well in a win and who knows how the game actually goes and maybe he passes him down inside the five and then Swift takes him in, right? We'll see how it plays out. But to the next point, this stretch of games does just set up well for them to be carried by their quarterback. And I do think he's the type of quarterback that can carry a team. And it's

all, it also sets up for him to, if he's going to have a month similar to the one Drake May had, just had. Sure. It should be right now. You don't have to win every game, but it's four, you know, four straight, good numbers, solid

performances, win more than you lose. And I know right now, it feels like Drake is in a totally different class than Caleb, because Drake may is on the fringes of MVP conversation and he's coming off this month. But right, it lit up the Saints. And also, after week one of the season, they were in the exact same boat, Caleb and Drake

May. You know what I mean? Rookie seasons that had things you could poke at, things you could hang on to, really disappointing week one losses. And Drake then had five weeks of excellence, really. And Caleb now, I thought he was better than the numbers suggested against Washington. and now faces faces three straight, bottom five pass defenses. This should be an opportunity.

Spencer Rattler, upset alert. Oh, come on now. No O-T tomorrow. So we're going to get a quick edition of Parkins' picks, an early edition. Early edition. Not in regular time. Quick. I am seeing the NFL very clearly.

This is the official pick segment. I plug into the Matrix. I see the league clearly. I'm not going to let 3-0 change me. I'm not scared of picking big games. Taking the points with Detroit. Play in the wood with the Chicago Bears. Easy, easier and easiest.

I know that I'm right. It's time now, of course, Barkin's picks. Wow. Danny, you want to go through. Wow. Yeah. Why did you pick the Saints, dude? Well.

If you just said the Saints defense, you just did a whole thing. It was a mistake. Okay. It was a mistake. We bet numbers and not teams. I thought I was getting a good number and I wasn't. And then the charges put it. What happened to the charges, Parker?

Well, you know, they won but didn't cover it. Yeah. It was just unfortunate, you know. One and two. But the bear's covered. And yeah, listen, it's a very pedestrian nine and nine. Nick and I are now locked up in a tight one in mediocrity at nine and nine. Leave me out of it.

No, I'm not clear you. Are you nine and nine? No way to tell. We'll find out what my record is tomorrow. He's very much also nine and nine. But whenever you're struggling, there's only. really one thing to do, take advantage of an opportunity that hasn't presented itself in years. The Carolina Panthers are favored for the first time since week 15 of 2020.

Carolina minus one and a half against the Jets. They opened as a dog. They're now a slight favorite. They're going to win this game by double digits. Here's the thing. The Jets are awful. Carolina, sneaky good? I don't know.

Yeah, 30 to nothing against Atlanta. But what they've been actually legitimately excellent at is running the football. Last four games, most rushing yards in the NFL, most big play runs in the NFL, outrushing their opponents. The Jets, a bottom 10 rush defense. I don't know if the Jets have packed up shop yet, but I know Carolina is frisky and playing well so far. So again, they haven't been a road favorite, by the way, since week 12 of 2021. Love it. Yeah, love taking a team that hasn't.

been a road favorite in four years. Love it. I don't know where that money is coming from. Four and three. I think upset alert. Upset alert. Oh, really? Oh, the Jets.

OK, well, we can be on opposite sides of that one. All right, next one. Have to wait for Monday for this one. Don't get fooled by what's happened with the Texans the last couple of weeks. Laying the three with Seattle against Houston. You know that I had Seattle as a top five team on top 10 Tuesday, but also Houston

has gotten right against Tennessee. and Baltimore. No disrespect, Peru, but this is the time to get right against Baltimore. Against everyone else, Houston has just been awful. And I actually think that Seattle is much more like the Rams, the Bucks, and the Jaguars, that right-hand column than the left-hand column, only laying three at home for Seattle. I think they've got the better offense and the better defense. I think they cover that number. Better defense. Wow. Yeah. Texas. Wow. I do. And then last one, I felt bad, Wilds. So this one was for you. Well, with three favorites. Three favorites. Three favorites.

Throw up. Revenge game. Revenge game for Mike Grable. Patriots minus seven at the Titans. And the rationale. I just, I watched the show. I'm a fan. Since week one, the Patriots.

We go back to week two. I mean, let's just look at it. The Patriots, sixth and scoring, ninth in yards, fifth on third down, second and pass rating. The Titans, I could have done it since week one for them. But, you know, to keep it fair, since week two, they're a lot. They're objectively terrible. So the Patriots offense against the Titans defense, Drake May continues his hot stretch.

And there's just no way the Patriots are going to have a wet down spot for their coach against Tennessee. Yeah, last year was a big year for favorites, Nick. It rode me to 65%. I bought this chain off of favorites. So three favorites across the board. Feels like a three and a week, boys. I like these a lot besides the C.

I... I hate these so much. Why? Whoa! And in fact, a little sneak preview to Nick's picks tomorrow fresh off a sparkling weekend. I have the exact opposite on two of these. And I don't know that those will be. It doesn't have Bryce.

So well, here's the other thing I know. Here is what I know. The Panthers were plus one and a half. That's right. Early in the week. They are now minus one and a half. I bet it. Getting the three points of the wrong number,

I don't know how, but I know Panthers Jets is going to be a one point win for somebody, and you're going to lose because you were on the wrong side of it. And I also know that I don't care at all about any Titan stats that were B.C.E. Brian Callahan era. Throw those in the garbage. This is a dead cat-bounce situation? Of course it is. They're the worst team in football.

I'm betting against the Jets and the Titans. That feels safe. It feels like the squarest thing imaginable. Oh, how could we lose? We're betting against the two worst teams in football. Don't get bullied. I'm not going to be great picks. He's not going to say he got bullied, but I'm telling you,

I don't like those at all, buddy. Fresh edition of frenemies. This looks like it with a special two and one with a special guest. That looks to be like one and two. I know. What are the expectations for Shohei? The rest of the series, that's next when first things first. Overtime continues.

All right, welcome back to first things first. It's Frenemones, some of our favorite times of the week. And it's our first guest in Frenemey's history, me, Nick, and the Pascwatch. Off the ALCS, which is now a 2-1 series game, Vlad Guerrera Jr. with an absolute monster performance, 13 to 4 win for Toronto. Vin, thanks for hanging out with us. What was your takeaway from that result with the Blue Jays dominance? Well, my biggest takeaway is that their manager, John Schneider,

Kniter asked for more upper cuts and less body blows before the game with the way that he did the lineup yesterday and he got it. What does that mean effectively? So if you are watching the games, a lot of times you'll hear from, like it's smoltz calling the games. He talks about the lack of strikeouts that Blue Jays have, and he says it in a good way, as it is, like striking out less, you put the ball and play more. But there's a lot of argument of maybe we should be okay with some more strikeouts and take some more shots. Bigger swings would lead to more home runs. You get to an advantage count, be okay with swinging and missing, or foul them off because you're trying to do damage.

So they did that last night. 15 hits, five homers, it's hard to do. Also hard to replicate on the next night. So this sounds like cliche analysis by me, I will admit. Okay. Can't wait. But I often feel like in whether it be baseball or certainly NBA series, where team down 2-0 wins game 3,

then all of a sudden, the winner of the series is going to be whoever wins game 4, where obviously if a team goes up 3-1, they're at a huge edge. That's why it's kind of square analysis. But the other side of it is being up 2-0 all of a sudden, it's a brand-new series, feels like it is so demoralizing.

Do you agree with me that whomever wins tonight is inferred, that even if the Blue Jays win and even if it's tied, that they can still be in firm control of the series? I do. It's just like if the Mariners win tonight. I think series is over. I feel like the series would be over. I look at it kind of like in at bat.

If you get to a 3-1 count versus a 2-2 count, it changes everything. If the Blue Jays win tonight, they guarantee that they go back home. That's huge. But if they lose tonight, then they go into tomorrow, they'll go back home to pack if they lose. But wondering, all right, we got to, this now becomes a grind to make this happen.

So I think this is the swing game of the series. So is that like a momentum thing? Yeah, confidence. Yeah, I would say more confidence. I don't necessarily believe in momentum carrying on the after day. I don't necessarily buy into it. It's something I argue with our media with at home all the time. Annie Rogers, if she's watching, talk about it all the time.

But it's a confidence factor of, all right, you know, The Mariners now know they can beat the Blue Jays two in a row. The Blue Jays don't know that yet that they can beat the Mariners two in a row. So that'd be a big one for them. So to go back to the idea of like jabs versus power swings, how does that like your sensibilities as a hitter? Like the idea of I am, it's okay for me to strike out more, but I'm going to maybe hit more home.

Was that your stance? Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, yeah. Obviously. That was your grip in your stance. You choke up. Can I tell you a true story? I probably, I don't know if it will be good for you, but go ahead.

I'll tell you true story. We're hanging out in the green room. Okay, good. I thought there's going to be from your baseball career. Oh, I know what you're going to say. I have one of those two for you if we have time. But no, but no, so me and Vin are watching the first hour of the show, and we're talking about the NFL topics that you and Wilds and Brewer are doing.

And he looks at me, he goes, did you play football? Oh, that's great. That was nice of you. I think it's the nicest thing I've ever talked. Yeah, that was nice of you. It was really nice. But all right, I interrupted. Sorry, you were asking something important.

As a hitter, like, does it offend your baseball sensibilities to be like strikeouts are okay in the pursuit of power? A little bit. It's a tough line, but I'm also the type of hitter that if I swing and miss, it freaks me out a little bit because I feel like it's what I do the best. So for me, if I swing and miss, it's like, why did that just happen? So that it's, I don't know if it necessarily helps me create more power by doing that. but it's one of those things that if you look at the if you just look at the raw data home runs are automatic runs yeah home runs are good yeah on that note real quick because I know we're supposed to move on but I feel silly if we don't ask him in either of these times

we've had you out here about Cal we talked about this a bit yesterday they they are in despite losing yesterday in control here nobody who saw this season coming from the Mariners. Certainly nobody saw this season coming from Cal Raleigh. He's potentially staring at a World Series against maybe a super team with a guy that's being called

one of the greatest players in the history of the sport in Shoy Otani. Can you put into perspective what Cal Ralee has done this year and how almost incomprehensible it is at his position, no less? I don't think you can put it into perspective. It's just ridiculous. Now, I've had the

pleasure really of I came up playing against Cal. So like on the backfields at spring training and instructional fall league, I've seen this dude do some things like hitting homers from both sides of the plate in the same game. So like 60 homers may have been a surprise, but him popping off the way he has, hasn't been a surprise is just a pure hitter. But doing it from a catching position, catching every day is insanity. So him, the fact that his legs are still working right now is incredible. I hope when the season's over for him that he

he goes to Cancun or something. Hopefully it's after a World Series for him and not a little early, but I hope he rests for a long time because I'm sure those legs are very, very tired. All right, so let's talk NLCS here. The Dodgers have the 2-0 series lead over the Brewers, and game three is tonight. Shohay Slated to pitch in game four.

He's been slumping at the plate, though, which is also, is it because of the pitching? Is it because of the matchups? Is it just he's human and the guy's slump? Do you expect Shohei to get out of the slump? 100%. One, like, without a doubt in my mind, I don't think it'll necessarily come tonight or tomorrow.

We talked about it a little bit earlier. I think it's gonna be the World Series where he takes over. Why? Well, depending on how the series goes, he'll have a little bit of time off. I saw yesterday he hit on the field for the first time all season,

so they made a big deal about it, which I think is funny. But I think that goes back into what we were talking about yesterday. I think guys are joking with them more than anything. I just think matchup-wise, He matches up with Toronto and Seattle so much better than the Brewers in Philly. So I think the World Series will be fun for him at the plate.

That's because of all the lefties. Yeah, because of all the lefties. He's facing another one to start the game tonight in Aaron Ashby. He'll probably face Koneg and Gasser later on in the game. So he's just getting, it's one of those things. It's confidence, right? His confidence might be a little shook right now, but he'll have time to get it back. But you had a pretty big prediction, like if Shohei makes the World Series.

Yeah, I think I win the MVP of the World Series. The Series. Yeah, win World Series. And here's something we haven't. We haven't seen the Dodgers with Shohei fully functional in the playoffs. Like the last year, Shohei also, he was hurt and, you know, was scuttling a bit in the postseason. It didn't matter because for the World Series, Freddie Freeman was like, I'll just be a better version of Shoah O'Tani and was the hottest hitter alive. If Shohei gets going.

I know this sounds silly, but with that lineup as deep as it is, and with their top four pitchers throwing the way they are, if he gets going, it feels like no one can beat them. It feels like this Dodger team, with everyone playing up to their abilities and the starting pitchers doing what they've done, that they are, in a very brief sample, obviously,

one of the greatest teams we have seen in the modern era of baseball. I know that sounds crazy because they had fewer wins this year than the Dodgers. But does that mean, I'm sorry, then the Brewers. Does that track to you? Does that make sense? Yeah, well, they're paying for it. Yeah.

So I think as a player, you look and you're like, well, that's what you're paying, paying these guys for is to perform in this moment. So, yeah, if he gets gone, they get even scarier, and they're up to O and LCS, just because then it sets the table for Mookie, for Freddie, for Teosker, for Kike, for all these guys. I mean, you set the table, if Will Smith can get, you know, get 100% healthy. It's just a scary, scary team.

And the kind of, the knock on them all year was the pitching, and they're all healthy right now. So if they stay healthy, they got to win this series first, right? I mean, anything can happen. And the Brewers have the best record in baseball for a reason. Then if they were to move on to the World Series, you face Seattle, you face Toronto, you feel pretty good about it. Big favorite against either one.

So Vinny, this is the type of thing that we would debate in, like, a college dorm room, like, who's the best? But you actually have played against all of these guys. You have the scouting reports on everyone. So we have tasked you with building the perfect baseball player. You can take the attributes of anybody and give us the superlatives, the best guy. I'm going to look at my sheet, though, to make sure that I say the correct ones that I told me. That you felt about 15 minutes ago.

Yeah, go ahead. Okay. So I think the first one is Aaron Judge's power. That would just be incredible. The next one. He did have one whole RBI more than you this year. Yeah. One day I hope to have more than him.

Yeah. I'd like to have Bobby Witt Jr. speed. Bob, I think you're watching based off of my phone. Oh, shout out Bobby Baseball. So if you're watching, he just got his wisdom teeth out. So maybe a little high watching? Yeah, could be. Bob, I'd love to have your speed.

It's fun to watch you, do what you do. A lot of those RBIs because of him. I'd like to have Juan Soto's eye, his ability to not swing at balls. I would love to chase less. Stopping you real quick. That's a huge. like a Chicago guy loves the Cubs. And last year, we went into some ALCS and World Series games together.

And he just can't stop talking about Juan Soto's discipline at the plate. Yeah. I just the on-base percentage with the power and the walk rate for a lefty, it's unbelievable. It's completely insane. And the way that he goes about it, pitchers hate him because he'll look at you. You walk him, he'll just stare you down as he's walking to, he gives a little extra motivation to pitchers, and it's just incredible. Next one, Luis arises contact ability. The guy doesn't swing and miss ever.

It's incredible. Pets the ball and play on everything. Everything. So it's great. All right. PCA's glove, I think I skipped one. But as far as a pitcher goes, pure stuff-wise, nobody's going to know who I'm talking about.

But his name is Luis Morales. He plays for the Sacramento Athletics. And what was funny about this is I was like, not skeins, not. And you're like about when you face this. We faced them the last weekend of the season. He's throwing 100 with incredible vertical movement, which just means the ball drops less.

He's got a 92-mile-an-hour change-up. It's pretty good, but he's moving his sweeper, so big slider, basically, 23 inches, which is insane. It's two feet of movement. And the plate is only 17. Thank you. Daddy's here to explain to the audience, 23 inches, nearly two feet.

And then, and then, The glove, who'd you say? The glove. Oh, Pete Crow. Oh, there you go. I had to get a cub in that. That's right. That's for my guy.

All right, before you go, and you'll obviously be here tomorrow as well. Before this segment's over, here's the deal. This is for Enemies. It's named because Danny and I have been friends for half our lives. And Danny, once upon a time, I'm born and raised Kansas City's from Chicago. He moved to Kansas City and did radio there about four years after we graduated college. Yeah, 2011. Yeah.

And had an opportunity in that moment to be like, you know what? I'm going to be a Chiefs fan. That's right. And he didn't. And instead he watched his team, the Bears, draft Mitch Trubisky, while my team, the Chiefs, drafted Patrick Mooms. You are a Jets fan, not even because you're from New York, just because you're named Vinny, and they once had a Vinny Testa Bertie. You are now Kansas City royalty. The Chiefs are in town.

Can I convince you to become a Chiefs fan? And if so, I would love to let you drop a Chiefs banner for it. I'm not asking you to abandon the Jets, but I'm asking you to, I don't know, a side team, if you will, the Kansas City Chiefs. Well, I guess it's a little bit easier because a boss of mine is their quarterback, I suppose. Oh, yeah, that's right. So now that they're playing a little bit better. Yeah.

You'll do it? Fair. I think I'll do that. I support them in the playoffs. I go to their playoff games. I go to games, going to a game on December 7th against the Texans. Sunday night football. Sounds great.

I'll be there. Drop the banner, Vinny. Let's see it. Wow. That is great. That is just a great moment. Sorry, Jets. You did go to London to watch the Jets and watch one of the worst offensive performances in NFL history.

That was great. Great job, Dave. Welcome to Fronememones, Vin. Coming up next, we'll bring out Willie Colon and Coach Manjini. Are the Chiefs back? Rishie Rice is we discuss. That's a second. All right, welcome back.

We go to Kansas City. Coach Manjini and Willie Colon out here with me. The Chiefs have the Raiders. They're a huge favorite. It is the first time that Mahomes takes the field with all of his offensive weapons. He was asked about Rishie Rice's return from suspension and how that affects the wide receiver room. Take a listen to the Chiefs QB. They want their guy there.

They want one of their teammates there that worked his tail off to be in that position. And so I think just having them in that room, you can just tell those guys are energized and they're ready to go and they want to showcase who they are as a complete room. And they've done a great job so far this year. And I think it's going to get even better with Roshino. So I know that this upsets, I think, both of you. But I would argue that the Chiefs now are the best team, the team that you can trust most, the most complete team. And I think I am consistent on this. I give the Lions the benefit of the doubt.

I give the Eagles the benefit. If you've been great for a while, I'm willing to. to overlook a little turbulence in flight. And now that the Chief's offense is rolling again, coach, I would say they are the most complete team. Yeah, it's so interesting because you and Nick have a very similar takes where as soon as the Chiefs do something positive, then suddenly they're back. Glory, hallelujah.

And when you look back just a week ago, they lost to Jacksonville. They had 13 penalties. They didn't look like the most complete team or the best team in that situation. And as you look at their wins, they beat Giants, they beat Baltimore. And that was a big game at the time, but Baltimore is not looking like it was such a big game after all. And then Detroit. And we'll see where Detroit plays out here as we move forward. 30 to 17 over Detroit is a good win.

But they've got some of their own challenges. And let me just show you some of their statistics here because a complete team you think they'd be at the top of these different areas. And I went a little bit deeper. So whether it was rush yards per game, I looked at penalties, they're middle of the pack there. red zone percentage, opponent red zone percentage, middle of the pack there, third, down third. So I didn't want to just, just tree top it. I wanted to drill down a little bit to see how complete they were. And they're completely in the middle of the pack. And they are 500. Yeah, it's a hard note for me. Danny won't admit it. I mean, you're right, coach. Anything

the chiefs do, he gets all crazy about. But nevertheless, man, they're ranked third in the division. And when you're a complete team, you're not ranked third in your own division. On top of that, I understand from Danny's standpoint, they've been able to average 28 points or more for the last three weeks. And I do think with the addition of Rashid Rice, they are a more whole offense. Rashid Rice gives Andy Reid a bigger playbook, more answers versus pressure. But it's the defense for me. Like, you talked about that Chiefs and Lions game. Most of that game was a shootout up until the fourth quarter, right?

And then when you talk about what the defense hasn't been able to do, energy, execution, not playing like the defense that we've known them to be in the past. No, they're not a complete team. Detroit scored 17 points. Yeah, but nevertheless, you're talking about most of the game? It wasn't like they blew them out from the door. We watched this line. Go back to that third quarter with Jared Golf,

rip them down the field. So, no, they're not a complete team. Are they on the rise? Yes, but they're not there yet. Okay. And you said the most complete. The most complete. It is so giddy about the most chiefs.

It is partly because of the Chiefs and partly because of how weird the league has been this year. It is a flawed year. There are no dominant teams to this point. So tie goes to the runner. Tie goes to the chiefs. That's just how it works. To Miami. I cannot wait to hear.

Your smugness is what I think you're most beautiful. Well, you're not the first person to tell me that. After the dog, my wife's like, you have a tone issue. The Dolphins 2927 loss of the Chargers. Tua said at his postgame presser, some of his teammates were late to a player's only meeting, except Tua as a leader on the team. He then took the podium yesterday and apologized for his comments. Here's the Dolphins Cup.

I got a look at myself as the leader. protecting the team. I don't feel like I did that to the best of my abilities. I felt like I let the emotions of the game get to me after the game. And, you know, that's something that I can learn from as a leader on this team. And what happens in-house should be protected. And none of that should have gotten out. And so I want to publicly apologize about that.

I mean, listen, I have not been in locker rooms like you guys have been in locker rooms. but as my understanding of it is like that's a lose the locker room type of moment. And Tua is too old and too smart and too paid to be doing something like that. I thought those comments were wild and out of pocket. And he totally did not realize how bad it made him look in the moment, which would make me question everything about him more than I already did. So that's how I felt about it. But Willie, you've protected people like Tua your whole career.

How did that sit with you, the whole ordeal? I hate that he apologized. Oh, wow. I really do hate that he apologized. that made him look weak as a leader. As a man, I'm with you right, wrong, and different, but I know where you stand. When you look at other quarterbacks,

we've seen Aaron Rogers do this before, but people respect it, right? You've seen him call out Mike Williams last year, but it was what it was because he's Aaron Rogers. I think right now what really annoys me about the situation is Tool wasn't lying. He was coming off a loss. He's in the locker room.

He's watching how this team has behaved. And we've heard rumblings coming from this locker room before as far as guys not being on. time. The vibes have been terrible. Right. And so he was just speaking to too. He was only forced to apologize to keep the stability in the locker room.

And I understand he had to step up from a leader standpoint. He's like, man, I should have kept that in-house. But nevertheless, man, this team has been toxic for too long. And if you're a leader, I prefer you to rip the band-aid off and let the rest of the world, along with your teammates, know this is not enough. We can't continue to play like this. And the only, I hate player-only means because it's a breeding ground for weak men. because proper men, athletes who care about their job, they leave their eagles at the door and their resume,

and they focus on what they need to do to get better to write the ship. Bottom line. So I hate that he apologized. I hate that the fact that he had to retract everything he said because now when he does have a strong statement, is it you speaking or you're going to have to pull that back? You get what I'm saying? So I didn't like it.

I want to speak with your heart. That's what I'm always going to respond to. And when you look at this, it's a little bit like the story that runs on the front page, of the newspaper and then someone prints of retraction, which is on page 8. You can't, you can't put this back in the bottle. It's out there now. And this is something that he had to do because of the reaction that he got. But unfortunately for the coaching staff, ownership has heard this. The rest of the world has heard this. It's, to your point,

it's indicative of a team that's not very healthy right now. And 50 players-only meetings aren't going to solve that problem. And it's a bad situation that has just been made worse by putting it out into the universe, where now everybody's going to talk about it instead of trying to focus on what is most important there, which is for them to hopefully win a game here soon. Is it salvageable?

Can he win back that locker room? Yes, but it goes with, he has to be able to pay attention to how they respond, how they respond to practice, how they respond on the field. And listen, being on time for work isn't an athletic thing. That's just waking up and doing your job. Yeah, that's like caring.

Yeah, it's like I, in coach, you've coached for a long time. Two things ballplayers can control is your attitude and effort. Bottom line, that comes with your job. The fact that that's in question, that's a problem. So this is a bigger issue. This is an organization issue, but I hate that they're in this position right now, especially him. We're going to try to figure out what it would look like if the Eagles actually got back on track.

No players only meetings here. All right, welcome back. We go to Philadelphia where the Eagles are taken on the Vikings Sunday, hoping to end a two-game losing streak that feels like 20 based on all of the scandals. Saquan Barkley went on NBC Philly's podcast and talked about the team going forward and he was basically like, it's going to be fine and he expressed confidence that they could get it going. So gentlemen, what does it look like? If we come in here on Monday and we're like, Philly got it back on track, what does that look like?

Well, I think the low-hanger fruit is just simply say, get the run game up and going. I think it starts really with Jalen Hertz. I think, one, he can't throw the ball no more than 30 times a game. You won D.P. I give it to you. Oh, wow. Wait, you're taking greater for the 30 times of the game stat. Wow. This should have been the 8-lock.

My God. On top of that, I think they have to move his launch point. As far as him sitting in the well trying to deliver the football time at the time, that's not a strong suit. They got to move his launch point. On top of that, they need more design runs with him. When you watch the Eagles the last year, it wasn't just. just Saquine with explosive runs. He had a lot of them too.

So if I see those combinations and them playing ball control offense, yeah, I would say the offense. Back on track looks like they got to get a win. If they can get a win, run the ball great. But even if they get back on track, dudes are going to be unhappy if they're running the ball. That's the amazing thing. They're unhappy even when they win. They're only a one and a half point favorite, by the way, in Minnesota.

Imagine how ugly it is if they lose to Carson Wentz.