KSR - NFL Cover Zero: NFL in Ireland, Cam Ward frustrated, and Ravens concern

Episode Date: September 29, 2025

Matt Jones and Drew Franklin start the show with Matt in a tent in Kruger National Park!  A full day of NFL games starting in Dublin.  There are a lot of headlines from Ireland, including Steelers backup QB Skyler Thompson being robbed on Friday night.  Matt was amused by Aaron Rodgers' quote about being in Ireland.  The Eagles move to 4-0, but Matt still had hope in Baker Mayfield throughout the entire game.  The Giants upset the Chargers, but what did you think about Jaxson Dart?  Titans' QB Cam Ward was extremely blunt about the state of the team, does Drew agree? The Falcons are the most confusing team week to week.  Spencer Rattler joined a rare group of QB's to start their careers 0-10, who are the other 9?  Onto the afternoon games, the Chiefs dominate and how concerned are you about the Ravens at 1-3? The Colts take their first loss, but did one play decide the game? An impressive game for the Jaguars and more injury concers for the 49ers.  Matt couldn't be happier about HOW the Bears beat the Raiders.  Are we seeing a renaissance of kicks being blocked?  Matt thinks we could end up looking back at the 2024 Draft Class of QBs as league-changing.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an I-Heart podcast. Guaranteed Human. NFL Cover Zero with Matt Jones and Drew Franklin is a production of the NFL and I-Heart podcast. Welcome to Week 4 of the NFL Cover Zero podcast. I'm Matt Jones and Drew Franklin is with me. I am in Kruger National Park and I am in a tent, like a nice tent, but still a tent in the middle of the African National Park, South African National Park. Bush. Drew is in studio in Lexington, a more normal space. Drew, I'm being a little bit quieter than I usually would be because there are tents on each side of me and it is midnight

here. I can literally hear hyenas in the background and just a little while earlier today I saw a lion. So it's a little bit like most podcasts probably going on to talk the NFL today. Well, should we worry, are you being quiet to not wake your fellow man or to not wake the animals that could disturb you at any moment there? Well, there's an electric fence around here. So I think I'm okay around the animals, but there are people literally in the tents not very far away. And they are trying to sleep because they have a 5 a.m. wake-up call for a safari journey.

I'm skipping that one tomorrow. We did 11 hours of Safari, Drew, and I enjoy safari. But 11 hours, I think I saw the animals I needed to see. Yeah, I appreciate you still having the gas to do this podcast from the other side of the world. I hope you're still picking up lots of listeners for us. Last time we talked, you were just going around making people subscribe. Have we had anyone from Kruger? I am.

From Kroger Park? I told a hippo today that if it did not click the link, subscribe and rate and review, I was going to be very upset. But I will tell you, first of all, I highly recommend coming to a safari if you ever get a chance. It really is awesome. I'm at the Medulli Safari Lodge, which is part of Kruger National Park. Really, really nice. So we get up at 5 a.m. this morning.

We go and they drive us around the bush. And I dressed in a safari hat, Drew. I had a safari hat. I dressed like, I think you should go to a safari, like a linen shirt and like, you know, khaki pants with the pockets and all that. I really felt like I was in safari mode. And you'd have been proud of me. I thought, you know, I was out there with nature. I'm picturing like Dr. Alan Grant from Jurassic Park walking around.

Did you just? No, he was who he was exactly who I modeled myself after. Yes. I was like, I want to be like him. That was Jeff Goldblum, right? In that, in that movie? I think Alan Grant was the other guy. But any of them really is what I picture you're doing out there.

Even like you just got a Jurassic Park Halloween costume. That's exactly what I did. And here's the thing about when you go and see animals. So today I saw a lion, I saw a hippo, I saw a rhino, I saw multiple giraffes, multiple zebras, or as they call them here, zebras. I saw two elephants fight each other, which was kind of awesome. But I don't have a phone, so I didn't get to take any pictures of this. So there's no proof that I saw any of these things.

but it's interesting because when we got out at like four or five six a.m. The first time we saw a zebra drew everybody who's like, ooh, look at the zebra. Oh, yeah. And then you see an elephant and like we stay there for 10 minutes and we're like just in all of its magnificent beauty. And then you see a giraffe and you just go, oh my goodness. And then after like seven or eight hours, you're flying by elephants like. like singing show tunes and you're like, all right, I've had it. That's good. I've seen plenty of these. You quickly, it starts to become commonplace after a little while. How close to these

animals are we getting here? I assume it's not a zoo where there's a wall. So you're just up on them, you amongst them, as you like to say? I mean, what is unbelievable coming out here is that they're right next to you. Like, you're in a vehicle. But like, so they tell you, please don't yell at the animals. Right. Please don't like, you know, because they're animals and there's nothing stopping them from, I don't know, Drew, eating you if they want to. So they tell you like, don't yell at them.

They will leave you alone, but if they feel threatened, you never know. And I'm in a car full of, if you remember, I told you I'm on this safari with eight women. And they are eight very sweet women. but Drew they get very excited when they see animals and sometimes they just scream them out. And the first elephant we saw, they were like, Elephant! And the elephant just all of a sudden turns around and is staring right at me like, are you going to do something about this or am I going to have to get involved? And I was like a schoolteacher.

I was like, shut up. Because, you know, you get a sense of your spot in nature with how big these. these things are. And we can't lose half of the NFL cover Zero podcast because your companions on the trip are screaming and getting loud, have a lion ripping your face off or anything like that. And I learned from our guide, it was wonderful. Like, I got to know why they did the various things we do. We saw a lion.

We also saw a deadline with vultures eating it, which is not a pretty picture. Like, Drew, that's not what they show you in the brochure or when you come. But it is, I guess it's part of nature's, you know, the circle of life, right? Definitely. And I can, I don't know every NFL podcast, but I challenge you to show me one that has dealing, that is dealing with this during week four of the season. Lions and Cs. It is interesting. The thing the people here tell you to avoid the most, you know what they're the most scared of is the hippo.

They're like, when we got next to the hippo, they were like, shut up. Okay. Because that hippo, you know, you see when you're from America, you see hungry, hungry hippos, you think, well, that's a happy animal. Apparently it's like the deadliest. It will kill you, it will kill you for even saying a crossword about it. And so I was kind of nervous when we went to the hippo station. I've heard that even though they look like they'd just be fat slabs. They're lightning fast and we'll use that jaw to turn you apart if you need to, if they need to. Yeah. Yeah, they'll like, they'll open their mouth and be like, ah. That's what they do. That's the sound they make. So anyway, it's been awesome. I'm really tired. I've been here now 15 days in South Africa, but it's been awesome.

The people here are great, and it's been great. And hopefully, Drew, one day you will get to come to this as well. Maybe this will just be a tradition for NFL cover zero. We'll just start each season in some other part of the world as far away from the NFL as possible. I have some breaking news. For the first time in, for only the second time since 2013, my Cincinnati Reds have made the playoffs. Congratulations. Just saw the news pop up here too.

I'm sorry, that just happened because we're taping this, you know, a little earlier in the day today. That just happened. You have to give me a minute NFL world. The Reds made the playoffs. They did it by losing, but nevertheless they made it because the Mets lost the Marlins. and the Reds who had like one fourth the payroll of the Mets are in the playoffs this year, True Frankel. I'm happy for you and the many Reds fans that are probably listening to this.

I just have to wonder, have you all learned a lesson about giving up? Because I remember that West Coast swing. When wasn't just you, it seemed to be the whole fan base thought it's over. They got swept by the A's. Like, how could you not give up? But this should be a lesson. It's never over. Yeah, it's never well.

I'm very, very happy about that. Of course, they wait until I'm here and can't see any of the games. But nevertheless, when this is over, I will watch the highlights. Now, there was plenty of NFL action going everywhere. Now, I actually got to watch all of the one o'clock games. So I watched NFL Red Zone, caught all of them. I caught the end of the 930 game. But Billy is in charge here of the 930 and 4 o'clock games.

We will not be able to do Packers, Cowboys, because it will be four in the. morning here. Billy, you saw all of the Packers, excuse me, of the Steelers Vikings game in Dublin. There's a lot of great storylines for this, but give me a quick summary of the things from the actual game that was the most important. Yeah, from the actual game, the first NFL game in Dublin. The Steelers won 24 to 21. Pittsburgh is now three and one on the season, and it was thanks to their defense. They were dominant for most of the game, six sacks, two interceptions, one by T.J. Watt. Aaron Rogers had an 80-yard touchdown pass to D.K. Metcalfe, which is the longest touchdown pass in the NFL this season. Kenneth Gainwell played really well with Jalen Warren out. He had 99 yards.

That doesn't sound like Drew, by the way, a football player's name, Kenneth Gainwell. I feel like Kenneth Gainwell works down the street at a accounting firm. But he was great today. He gained well today. He had two touchdowns. Like Bill said, defense was a big part of it. But Warren not playing was quite a surprise and not much of a drop-off there backing up Aaron. Rogers in the backfield. Yeah, the game goes from 24-6 to 24-21 in the fourth quarter, then the Vikings can't get an onside kick and eventually run out of time for the Steelers to win.

Yeah, Carson wins, I think had 13 comeback wins in his career, was not able to get this one. So the game was fine, but to me, Drew, what was interesting about this game were all the things that happened around it. Okay. So let's start with last night before the game, the backup quarterback, Skyler Thompson, is that right? Skyler Thompson gets robbed on the streets of Dublin. He gets robbed. I didn't see details about what they took, but I've been to Dublin.

It's actually one of the most friendly, fun places to walk around. How did he get robbed in what has to be like a tourist part of town, right? Yeah, I need to know more details on this. It's not out completely, but he got assaulted and robbed, you know, night before a game. How late could you possibly be out? night before the game. I've been around there too. We got like the temple bar. There's that nice little area. I never felt like I wasn't safe there. If anything, I just wanted to dance and listen

to music. So a pretty extreme and unfortunate situation that a guy who maybe should have been out, you end up getting mugged and robbed. Luckily, he was hurt or he was okay and still ended up showing up for the game and was on the sideline, but a crazy way to go play a game in Ireland for him. Yeah, I mean, just wild that you go get robbed. Have you ever heard of a player being part? of a felony the night before the game and not committing it, like having it committed on them? Just a victim? The night before the game?

Yeah. And I mean, I guess he probably wasn't wearing like his full pads and outfit where they knew he was an NFL player. But, you know, Ireland's got to be excited about this game. And you got to think, hey, we can't be out punching. Even if it is the backup quarterback of all the people for us to be roughen up, we've got to be good host to the NFL. Wait a minute.

But you act like they have any idea who Skyler Thompson is. I mean, would you recognize Skyler Thompson? I said, I don't think he had his helmet and pads on, but, you know, of all people for them to hit, you got to roll out the red carpet. You would not recognize Skyler Thompson could walk into that studio right now, and you would not know who he is. No, no clue at all, not even a little bit. He could actually walk in wearing a Scholar Thompson jersey, and I would not even know who he is. I know Skyler from Breaking Bad more than I know Schuyler Thompson. I know Tyler Thompson.

Yeah, I would not have, it would not have occurred to me to, to keep him from robbery. Now, the game itself went great. 70,000 people there. Apparently the turf was in really great shape, which is always an issue in these road games. The Steelers are, Mike Tomlin apparently gave a speech before the game where he said something to the effect of, you know,

our former owner, Art Bruney was from here. He was an ambassador to here, I think for Barack Obama. We need to like really honor him and they did it by winning. The Steelers are kind of trying to claim. Ireland as their country. They want to be the team of Ireland. Do you think that's doable for the Steelers? No, Pittsburgh.

You can't just claim Ireland because there's a Rooney connection. I like the effort. It's a good try there. But I learned during the broadcast that the Steelers and Vikings weren't the only teams with fans there because at one point they said, and I even had to go back and listen to make sure I heard this right. In a crowd of what, like 60, 70,000 of the stadium, they said, we've counted 22 NFL jerseys from different teams.

And I thought, who is sitting around counting the Bears jerseys and the Lions jerseys? But they said, we've seen 22 different NFL jerseys today. So they said we. You think they just walked around. And they were like, okay, there is, I like, you're in charge of finding all the jerseys. And they had to go to all 70,000. Is there an intern that does that? Like, hey, you're just going to sit here at the gates,

and every time you see a new NFL jersey, you want you to count it. I do like, though, when they go to these foreign countries, that people just wear the jerseys of the teams that they like or have seen in the States. It's like people who just say, who go to games and just say go sports, right? It doesn't matter who's playing.

I will just root on the concept of football. I have a good friend from Scotland, like born and raised Scotland, but he loves the Cincinnati Bengals. Like, grew up loving the. in Scotland. And I asked him why. He's even come to Cincinnati for games. He's like, I just like tigers.

So, I mean, I'm sure there are people all over the world that have picked a team based on a logo or a color or maybe they feel a connection to the city. So then if these games come to Dublin or London or wherever, and they're even remotely close, you got to break out whatever, whatever team it is, even if they're out there. Okay, so two thoughts here. First of all, what would be the weirdest team name to pick just because you like what it is? Would it be like the giants? I'd just like really tall people.

What would be the one that would be the strangest to say, well, I'd just like that. Browns. Browns. Yeah. I like browns. I like the color brown. That's my team. I just like the color brown.

Love Cleveland and the color brown. That would be really strange. And then, okay, so I had this thought today riding around the bush. By the way, that's a phrase I'd never used, Drew, until I got here, the bush. Like, people just used that. That's right. Like, have you ever thought about going, I'm riding around? Like, you see in high grass and go, it's in the bush.

But, like, now I use it all the time. And I think you've got to be careful when I come back to America, just throwing that around. But people just use it like it's regular. Every time you've said it, I thought he's turned into a local there. It sounds like we might even come back. He's gotten so used to me in South Africa. If I start saying zebra, then you know I've gone. But I was sitting there thinking.

I was like, okay, if I were to start a new team, what is the one animal that like there isn't a team name that I can think of? And we, the only one of the big five we didn't spot was a leopard. And I was like, oh, okay, there are no teams that are leopards. And I was like, but that would sound stupid, the leopards. But then, no, it wouldn't because, you know, like Ravens is a stupid name, but we say it like it's normal. I think if I started a team that was the leopards eventually, people would just say leopards like we do jaguars, right? Yeah, I'm sure at some point somebody in South Florida was like, we could be dolphins. And they're like, no, that's not intimidating at all.

But you know what? We've got dolphins. Rams. We could be buccaneers. We can be bar. Yeah, but you just, if you just say it long enough, then people will sign on to it. So if Louisville, Kentucky ever gets a professional sports team, Drew, the Louisville Leopard. why not.

Because leper print outfits would be great. No, I mean, not leper like leprosy. Yeah, I'm aware. Just to be clear. I think that would not be a name.

I would want to go. I wouldn't want to go cheer for them. That would be weird. Well, the Steelers get the win. Three and one, but we do have to talk about Aaron Rogers. All right.

So he won the game. But he gave, in my opinion, Drew, one of the most Aaron Rogers of Aaron Rogers quotes of all time. Are you ready for it? He was talking about he wished the Steelers had come to the city earlier. Apparently they just showed up on Friday for the game on Sunday.

And he said he wished they could have made a whole week of it because he wanted to go around Ireland. And here's what he said. And this is one of the most pretentious quotes I've ever heard. I have a family history here going back to Ireland, Scotland, so I've always wanted to get over here. As folks may know, I'm an historian, so I kind of know the history, both geol politically, and other things in the area.

That's not a BS line. I'm telling you guys, it's the truth. I'm also a huge fan of Guinness. I don't really drink beer, but if I did, I would drink Guinness. So I've heard it taste different in Ireland, so I really think I should have, or I really wish I'd gotten to spend more time here. Now, two points here. First of all, I'm a historian.

Who says that? Like, first of all, a historian is someone who presumably like is an expert on history. Is Aaron Rogers just anointing himself that? He's already said he was a scientist and like a Vax person. Is he also an historian? No. Has anyone ever thought of Aaron Rogers of historian? Great quarterback.

Great quarterback. And then what person would say, What person would say, I don't drink beer, but I like Guinness? Isn't that the most beery of all beers? I will say the Guinness tastes different over there. I've been to the Guinness storehouse. I don't know. I guess Aaron Rogers doesn't get into booze, but I can understand going to Dublin and wanting to have a fresh Guinness.

That is something you have to do. But is that like, I'm not a beer person. But isn't Guinness like the heaviest of beers? If you don't like beer, how could you like Guinness? it's definitely heavy the only reason if you were a non-beard drinker and you wanted Guinness was because you're in Dublin like you don't just sit around craving against it's the connection to Ireland and if you want to go to one of their main tourist traps there but no I

I don't think Guinness is what you're reaching for if you're just an occasional beer drinker well Aaron Rogers is three and one and I would like to congratulate him on not only having a winning record but also being an historian which I was not something I was aware of until today. Now, let's go through some of the 1 o'clock games. You had the Eagles win and probably the biggest game at 1 o'clock over the bucks. Both teams were 3 and 0. Eagles got out big early, including a blocked punt that they returned for a touchdown. Second straight game, they've blocked a kick of some sort and returned for a touchdown. Baker Mayfield nearly led a comeback. He made some amazing plays down the stretch,

but the Eagles get the win. They're now 4-0. They've basically beaten in the last couple weeks the teams that they could end up tied with, a lot of them. Great start for them. But the Bucks did come away from me, Drew, as like a real contender. Yeah. You know, with Philly up so big, even when Tampa started chipping away at it in the second half, I never really thought they'd win. But a part of me perked up on the couch a little bit thinking,

it's Mayfield about to lead another comeback because the first three games of the season, he led comeback wins. Now you're playing the defending Super Bowl chance. And he champs, and he had a shot. He threw an interceptions in the end zone late in the game down eight, and then they had a turnover and downs later. But it made for a very entertaining game, and it was otherwise pretty boring in the first half with Eagles up so much.

Let's say you don't root for a team. In my opinion, Baker Mayfield is maybe the most fun player outside of Lamar, if you don't care about the team, just in terms of fun to watch in the NFL. I think Lamar's number one, but I would say Baker Mayfield's number two. Do you agree with that? I completely agree. He's obviously he has the talent, and he's really tapped into that again lately and revived his career.

But he's just got a little swagger and a little juice where you can't look away. Even, you know, if he hadn't ended up at Cleveland, I think he could even have a better career than he has now. We all realize that. But he's been pretty marketable since he got drafted. And now that they're pretty good and he's got pieces around him and they're so fun to watch, he is like one of the more just guys you want to sit down and watch if they're in a certainly if they're in a close game and he can lead a comeback like this well he he was ranked we talked about this last episode is the fifth best quarterback currently in the

NFL we kind of thought that was crazy but maybe it's not I mean maybe it's not I mean that was a great performance of course the Eagles actually did win the game their defense is so dominant I actually thought Tom Brady did a really good job on the game today something I haven't said a lot when he's called these games. I actually thought he did a really good job. Just showing the plays that the Eagles make that no other team would make. And they have like seven guys at various positions that can do it. And now they're showing off.

They got up for a tush push today. You know, everybody surrounds it. We know what's going to happen. And then they run a little fake and hand it off to Saquan Barkley for a TD. So they're flexing a little bit. I believe they did two fake twish pushes today. So we already know they have the unstoppable play in football. And now they're just toying with people when they line up to do that one.

What was the debate this week about the tush push that people are all going off sides? And then there's like maybe a legal defensive place trying to do it. My guide here on this tour, his name's Lee, he's a big rugby guy. He was trying to convince me that rugby was better than the NFL. And we were watching the Springboks. The South African team was playing rugby yesterday. And they do those scrums. I mean, you know what that is drew.

And like all those big hulky dudes just knock each other's shoulders and look like behemah South Africa. there. And it's, to me, like the most barbaric of things in sports. But the tush push is kind of the NFL's version of that, isn't it? It is. And I think people are getting annoyed because just the last couple weeks, there's been super slow-mo at the line of scrimmage where they, there's a couple times the entire offensive line has fall started, but others just one or two guys and they're not getting called. So I think there's a frustration with, look, it's already unstoppable. And now you're not even going to call it when they're false starting and it's

making it even more unstoppable because there's been several examples of that. But it's hard to call it and bang bang like that when they're all piled up. The Giants end up getting their first win and upset. Well, the charges, let's start with this. Drew, you're now the first person out of the NFL cover zero Survivor League. I tried to warn you against picking the Chargers. Jackson Dart's first start. They were at home.

This had all the makings to me of an upset. You even bet on Jackson Dart to score. a touchdown which you remember that was Billy's touchdown pick last week. It worked. And yet you still picked them and now you're out of the Survivor League leaving me and Billy. I know, tough loss for me. Thank you, Billy, though, for the Jackson Dart touchdown. He scored like 105 today.

It was the first touchdown in any games. We got that one out of the way. But no, it hurt leaving the Survivor League. I mean, if I could go back in time, they were still of my options. It was the biggest point spread. So I don't regret it. No, there were a lot of that, like this was a, in theory, a tough. day. I mean, I was trying to tell you to pick against your Titans to pick the Texans,

which we'll do in a second. But still, Jackson Dart, I mean, he didn't look great, but he can run the ball. And it's clear the crowd is much more excited about him being the quarterback. We knew when they signed Russell Wilson. Nobody wants Russell Wilson as their quarterback. And they tried it anyway. So if you're a Giants fan, even not knowing what Jackson Dart is, It's like, just please let us just see what the rookie is. Anything is better than watching Russell Wilson at the end of his career, who didn't even look like he wanted to win last week. So as a fan, you were just glad to hit reset today,

but then he looked good, didn't throw any interceptions. He ran for over 50 yards, including that touchdown run. So sure, I mean, also you beat an unbeaten team. I mean, is it going to turn the giant season round? I don't know, but at least you have a rookie you can be excited about, and it probably saved Dayball's job, at least a little bit longer. I'm trying to think who is like Russell Wilson is the

If you're a fan of a team When the headline comes Your team has signed Russell Wilson That's the worst headline you can see Because you know you're spending a lot of money And he's not going to be good It's the worst it's like I don't know back

I'm trying to think who the NBA equivalent to that is Maybe James Harden right You're going to sign him You know he's going to take every shot You know it's going to be boring And you know you're not going to win a title Except James Hardin's a whole lot better than Russell Wilson is

Oh, great. We signed Paul George off another injury. That's about what it is. Paul George is a good one. Paul George is a really good call for that. Malik Neighbors, unfortunately, tore his ACL. That stinks because you could tell, you know, he finally gets a quarterback. He feels like he'll throwing the ball. He gets hurt. We need to officially alert the TV broadcasters. They are showing, I think, an inordinate amount drew of Jackson Dart's mom on. television. We did see a lot of the darts today. There's a lot of Jackson DART mom on television. And I, you know, I'm not telling producers what to do, but I think, you know, if it's the kid's first game, which I guess today was, I think showing his parents is okay. But I'm getting the feeling that we're going to have Taylor Swift, Travis Kelsey vibes in terms of amount shown of Jackson Darts mom.

That's just my initial pre. This is my prediction for the Giants this year. It will be interesting to see Because they said first rookie start You know they usually show a parent in the crowd A few weeks ago They Titan showed Cam Ward's dad going crazy in the aisle But if this continues I'm ready to put Taylor Swift on the hot seat with you

I think I think the new talking point I'm not saying they're in the same league I'm just saying they're showing her a lot She's going to be the new Why is she on my TV show football That's going to get everybody worked up They're going to be bringing her in

With big curtains in the vac where you can't get pictures of her before she's in her seat. Security will be everywhere. We're heading that direction. We've got to get out in front of it. Well, I'm going to get, if he keeps winning, then I will, I'll get you a cameo from Jackson Darts' mom as my present for you for the Giants getting their first victory. I'm going to just say the Texans beat the Titans 26 to nothing.

Cam Ward set after the game, quote. quote, we ask. Drew Franklin is the resident Titans fan on the podcast. What are your thoughts? That's my quarterback. Just called it like it is. He said more than once that we ass. It's not always what you want your quarterback to say.

In fact, one of the lines, he said, if I'm keeping it a buck, we ask. So I'm going to get my, we keep it a buck. We ask. I think he's keeping it. But I think that's like a thousand bucks when you say we ass. They're so terrible, though. I mean, they're so. bad. He had one fun cross-body throw like he did a couple weeks ago in the first quarter that got us excited.

But there was nothing else to be excited about. Texans aren't good. They own three teams here and you get completely shut out and never even stood a chance. It's going to be such a long season. Well, there was one fun moment today, though. A couple got married on the field of an O and three versus O and three game. So nothing says love like Titans Texans on a Sunday one. Wait a minute. They got married. Hang on. On the field. married on the field like at halftime or something? It was a little before the game. That shows you how much the Titans and Texans cared about this game.

Like, oh, you couldn't find a wedding venue. Why don't you just use our field 30 minutes before kickoff? You got to get fan engagement how you can. This is the, well, this is the literal way to get a fan engagement is to let them do it on the field. That is a depressing. Is that like a package you can buy? I was excited about our two Browns fans that got married in the, I was excited about the ones that got married in the parking lot.

This, to me, seems a little more depressing, Drew. Yeah, we had an, we had an, I do and a wee ass at the Titans, Texas game. Just exciting stuff. Football, not so much. Those of you tell us are usually things that should go together. Falcons and the commanders. Michael Piddix, Jr., played very well after they were terrible last week. It comes out.

They get a win against Marcus Mariotta, who every time I see the gray. It throws me off, Drew. I mean, maybe a little just for men, just a little bit, if you're going to be on playing on national television. I agree, but I'm happy for him. You know, that's not kind of gray. He's all the way gray, but still out there throwing for a couple touchdowns. They don't win the game, but I am happy that Marcus Marriota has a little life

until Jaydon Daniels comes back, probably next week. Who is the old? He reminds me of, have you ever seen those old pictures of the football player, like in the 50s Y a Tiddle. Have you ever seen? Oh, yeah. That picture is Marcus Marriota our new YA Tiddle on his knees on the field

like with a like a bald ring around his head? Is that his Mike's Marriota the new YA Tiddle? I think so. We can just black and white his photo and add him to the collection, but he's not playing like he's old. It's just very unique for a guy

because I think he's only 31, but it's completely gray. I guess when you're, uh, used to be the quarterback of the, the Titans, it ages you. Am I the first person to ever compare Marcus Marriota to Y.A. Tittle? No, not at all.

Do you think anyone else has ever done that? I think that was on a scouting report out of Oregon. Got a lot of Y.A. Tiddle with him. I do like when people will try to argue that athletes back in the day were more athletic or better than they are now. I just will show them the picture of Y.A. Tittle. Just show. I mean, remember, why he tittle's a Hall of Famer.

That was a Hall of Famer back then. There's one of George Blanda, too, where if you were to just show someone a photo, like if you didn't have the pads on and you say, how old is he? People would be like 65 years old. That is a 75-year-old man. He looks like a Civil War General at that picture. Marcus Marcos Marius. He would have joined in the conversation.

There's a lineage from. From why he diddle to George Blanda now to Marcus Marriota, good for him. Although they did lose the game. Falcons win. This is one of the things I've said for years. There's no team on earth in any sport that you can predict less the results of their games, Drew, than the Falcons. Every game you think they're going to win, they lose 30 to nothing like last week.

When you think they're going to lose, they beat the commanders at home. That's just what the fact. They've been like that for like the last seven years. Yeah, absolutely destroyed last week by the Panthers and then turn around and win this game. That's the way they are. The Saints beat the – or excuse me, Bill's beat the Saints 3119. Saints hung with them. Played pretty well.

I think the reason is they said during the game that Spencer Rattler, who Billy told me before, he's 0.10. He's 0.10 for his career. He's the ninth quarterback in NFL history to start his career, O'N. and 10. I'm not so much surprised that Spencer Rattler is 0-10, but are you surprised that nine quarterbacks have started their career 0-10? I would think

that starting your career O'N-10 is about as bad as it could be and that you couldn't have anyone else in that conversation. But to have nine others, yeah, that's surprising. That is extremely surprising me, but at least he has a lot of company. I do think the reason

they kept it close is they said during the game, Spencer Rattler, and the backup, Tyler Shuck, both celebrated their birthday today. They are the only starter and backup in the last 10 years in the NFL to share a birthday. Isn't that a nice piece of trivia they said to Nate during the game? Yeah, here, go lose to the bills on your birthday. One exciting thing for Rattler is that one of the quarterbacks that went 0-10 is Troy Aikman. And Warren Moon as well.

Okay, Warren Moon also. So maybe don't give up. Wait, do you have the names? I'd like to see what are the names? Deshaun-Ciardine and Warren Moon, both very good. I'll keep going. Deshaun Kaiser, Jack Trudeau. Okay, hang on.

Don't just run through these. Deshaun Kaiser Notre Dame, right? Isn't that where he went? Yeah, he's an easy one. Because I was going to say any Cleveland Brown is probably on this list. And he was right. Okay, so who's next? Jack Trudeau, who I'm not sure who that is.

Jack Trudeau. He hosted a nature show, didn't that at some point? I think he's the other person I've seen in the bush in South Africa. I don't think I know who that is. Okay. Stan Gelbaugh, maybe also another one in the bush that you've seen over the last week. He was one of the wrestlers in WWE when the jobbers, when Hulk Hogan would come out and go his opponent, Stan Gelbaugh. I just looked up Stan Gelbaugh.

That dude sells insurance. That's a I sell insurance haircut. Where did he play? Where did Stan Gelbaugh play? in this picture he's a Seahawks uniform Oh wow Seahawk legend Stan Jillball

Who else? Derek Carr Okay Oh Okay I mean yeah but he was playing I think he was on the expansion Yeah he's an expansion guy

A Zach Mettemberger Oh that's one of my guys Tying up I mean we asked Zach Mettenberger He was he was our future here recently He was a Titan Yeah he was the future Yeah

Former LSU Tiger And then finally, Brody Croyle as the final quarterback to lose their first 10 games. I know that name. Brody Croyle. Where did he play in college? He was Bama. Bama. Okay.

He was in that long line of like Greg McElroy, A.J. McCarron, those kind of guys. Well, interesting company. So your career can go one of two ways, Spencer, when you start 0.10. It's up to you. Josh Allen, by the way, really had not run. run the ball at all this year. And the announcer, I'm not sure who got stuck on the game.

But the guy who's doing color commentary, he was like, Josh Allen has not run the ball at all this year. And I wonder if it's a concerted effort for the bills to save it to the playoffs. And literally on the next play he drew, he broke it for 45 yards. Good announcer, Jenks. It really was like the next play that he ran. I was like, oh, poor guy. You know he saved that fact and was ready for it.

and it gets busted during one play later. I was surprised that this was even remotely a game in the second half because this was a 16 and a half point spread, and it was the Saints' biggest spread since 1975. That's what people thought of them hitting in this game. There's such a thing as a moral victory on Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shucks' birthday. I guess they got one. Is that how today is going to be known?

Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shucks' birthday. It was actually also drew two girls on my first. my trip's birthday as well. Shout out to Sarah and whoever the other one whose birthday was. Angie, I think.

Shout out to them as well for having their birthday. You better hope they don't listen now. She's going to be upset. You struggle with her name. I don't think they listen. I don't think there's one person on this trip that's a sports fan.

They kind of gave me that look. When I said I did podcast, they were like, well, that's nice for you. Or they could be listening right now in the tent next to you. you're up doing this at midnight. Actually, that's the better chance they're hearing it. Is they're hearing me right now talking about it?

Lines beat the Browns 3410. Browns score on the first position. Do nothing the rest of the game. And the same thing with the Panthers and the Patriots. Panthers score on the first possession. And they end up losing 42.13. Lions were my Survivor League pick. We stay with it.

By the way, Billy's was the Bills. He got to stay as well. James Cook was also my touchdown pick. He scored. Nico Collins scored for Billy. Patriots, Lions, anything you cared about either of these two games? The Lions, not so much. Just another blowout.

They're obviously going to be a contender in the NFC after struggling that first game. Patriots game, Drake May looked really good after there's been some questions about him. Had three touchdowns, no turnovers, completed almost every pass. And then I enjoyed, you know, a big Mike Vrabble guy. enjoy just watching him put a big dip in in the middle of the game, you know, just missing that Vrable energy. I saw that. Are you allowed to dip?

I don't think so. You're allowed to dip in the middle of the game? I'm surprised about that, actually. I thought there was a tobacco law, but there's no mistaking. He's not hiding it. He's just throwing in a big chaw right there, throwing a big lip in right there is there in the middle of the game. I don't remember Tom Landry taking a dip in the game.

Back in the day, you know, they did smoke cigarettes during the game. But I kind of wonder. if Braybill gets fine. I don't think you're allowed to chaw on national television as a coach. And while he's chawing, he gets caught yelling like that's bleep, bleep, bleep, bleep, bleep,

so I don't think Brable's really carrying. Yeah, I mean, there's no mistake in when he was yelling. I can't say it on NFL cover zero. But I don't think he's caring a lot about the camera and catching him on the sideline. He's just going to do him. When you win like that, I guess you can. I think the coach that puts chawed his mouth

you would think would win the award of sports figure that gave, that cared about what people thought the least. But what about the woman at the Ryder Cup leading the crowd in a chant of Blank U. Rory? And she got fired today before the finals. How did she think that was going to be work, was going to be allowed? I love the energy of the Rider Cup and making noise. It makes it unique. I know some people think it's over the top.

But the Americans were way out of control this weekend. They were out of line. that we had somebody actually hit Roy's wife with a drink Roy turned around telling to shut the bleep up I get it that we cheer USA and it gets a little out of hand this weekend but we went a little too

far as America we were obnoxious we were obnoxious we were we were bad I mean Shane Lowry I don't know if you saw when he made the put to finish it out they said you know the next one's in Ireland are you excited and he was like it'll be better than this

it's on he just had to look like you disgusting long islanders but you know it was pretty bad that i think that yesterday the saturday day especially drew not a high point for american the way we reach out to the world maybe it's emblematic today but that was not our best thing right on brand i just hated they made it somewhat close to they got a little excitement but just never in it uh to to really get into the rider cup this year Before we go to the 4 o'clock games, you were upset about the rule from Thursday night where the Seahawks beat the Cardinals. You don't like the kick rule.

Is that right? It was just a bad way to end what was a great comeback. I guess the rule is what it is. You got to play within the rules. But the Cardinals had scored 14 straight points to tie the game in the fourth quarter. It looks like we're heading overtime. There's 28 seconds left. But then they didn't kick the ball into the landing zone.

and it landed like right at the 20. I mean, it was inches away. So the Seahawks ended up getting the ball at the 40. It's the equivalent of kicking it out of bounds. And the 28 seconds left, they hit a 40-yard pass and then kick a game-winning field goal. See, I like that, though. I mean, we're seeing it in the – we saw it towards the end of the Bears game today.

They do a kick. You, instead of it just going in the end zone and then it comes out to the 30, they end up not – you know, the Raiders return it, get down the field. I mean, I like the kick return being part of the game again. So if you're going to do that, you have to enforce that rule, right? Yeah, that's why it's no longer. It used to be just boom it out. Let's get a touchback.

And, you know, sometimes some teams will still do that and just take it at the 35. But this new kickoff rule, it was done for safety reasons, obviously. But it's gotten to where you've got to have a really skilled kicker, kicker. And you can get tactical trying to, you know, pin them back. And it just in this case, it backfired where if you don't get it inside that 20 yards, You know, your opponent's starting near midfield and, you know, Darnold hit Jackson Smith and Jigba. And the next thing, you know, there's a 52-yard field goal and it's over when it looked like the Cardinals had forced O-T.

So it's just a unique ending. I'm for it. I'm for it. You got, you got like, it's, if you're a professional kicker, you should be able to kick it in a 20-yard zone. You know, it's not like they're asking them to kick it on a dime somewhere. So I'm, I'm for it. I think the Seahawks and the Cardinals, I mean, no offense to those two. teams but that's like the Thursday night game that people see it and then they schedule something

with their family right first of all again those two teams play each other every week so uh on the Thursday night with that you go okay Al Kirk I'm gonna let you all have this one to yourself and it wasn't even a good game until the Cardinals scored late to come back I mean if you were seriously sitting down and watching that you know it's 20 to 6 in the fourth quarter didn't look like they'd be a game but a unique ending where I think it's the first time we've really seen the new kickoff rule have an impact the way it has. I know Cardinals fans are upset, but I'm good with you.

Get you a kicker that can put it in there. I mean, the rules are the rules. If you can't kick into 20 yards, I don't go find a better kicker. Let's go to the 4 o'clock games. We're going to bring in our guy, Billy. He is known as Mr. 4 o'clock, and he's going to give us the update on these

because a lot of them were kind of going on when we started recording this podcast. So I guess we'll start with the Rams and the Colts because I do think, well, I guess start with the Chiefs, Chiefs and the Ravens. That's the big story. Chief's absolute domination, Billy, right? That's right. 37 to 20, Kansas City gets their second win of the year. Meanwhile, Baltimore drops to one and three on the season. Lamar Jackson pulled out of the game in the third

quarter due to a hamstring injury. We saw Cooper Rush for a short time. But Patrick Mahomes was dealing back to his old cell. Four touchdowns, 270 yards, a great shelling from one of the best of all time. That looked like the Chief's team of the last. few years, really of the years before last year, because their offense wasn't great last year. But that, and they looked amazing. They were, like, hitting on all cylinders. And, you know, they get, they get Rishi Rice back next week. So now of a sudden, you can start to see a Chiefs team that can be a contender.

Now, the Ravens, on the other hand, one and three, and their defense can't stop anybody. I mean, it's a, it's a real strange thing for people of our age, Drew, who grew up with the Ravens having a good defense every single year, no matter what. and their defense this year is just awful. Yeah, Marlon Humphrey got one of the better defensive backs in the league. He got torched by Xavier Worthy, who came back this week from being injured early in the game. It's also weird the Ravens, like Derek Henry only ran the ball eight times, including there was a fourth and one where they didn't use him.

It's almost like the Ravens are doing a load management day this early in the season on Henry, even though they're one and three. It's a weird day to do it, though, when you're playing the Chiefs. But like, why do you not? Derek Henry, eight rushes four. 40 yards. I mean, I know you're down most of the game, but it's Derek Henry, give him the damn ball. So, you know, I didn't expect Cooper Rush to have 13 pass attempts.

That's Jackson's injury. But it just, it seemed like the Ravens tapped out as that game went on because the Chiefs went up early and didn't look back. It was Mahomes first time in two years having a game of four touchdown passes. Yeah, I was just really surprised by the whole, by the performance. I picked the Ravens to win. But I thought no matter what, it would be one of those Ravens' Chiefs games that comes down the stretch, but the Chiefs absolutely dominated. When you see Cooper Rush come in, that's not a good sign for whatever team that's

happening to. But I don't know. You know, two and two, Chief schedule is tough to start the season. They get some weeks here coming up, I think after next week where they have some easier games. We might be looking up here week 11 or 12, and they're eight and three, and you're going, oh, there's the chiefs again. What's next? The Colts lost for the first time this season, 27 to 20 to the Los Angeles.

Rams. Both teams are now three and one on the season. It was a back and fourth game. A big moment when Colts receiver A.D. Mitchell dropped the ball before he went across the goal line. That could have made a big difference in this game. How do people still do this? Unbelievable. This happens once a season. And it is crazy to me, Drew, that they still do this after all these years.

I don't even understand how it's an issue. Like run to the back of the end zone before you do it. It just makes no sense to me. And I really think it changed the could be the entire outcome of this game. The Colts were down 1310 and Daniel Jones hits him for a 75-yard pass. It was an amazing run after the catch he broke tackles, gets all the way down to the two-yard line, and once with one hand to stick the ball out,

and then it just loses it, goes out for the touchback. It's like, can you not wait two more yards? celebrate. You fought so hard to get there. You're about to go up on the Rams in L.A. and you cannot hold on to the football for another second. It would have been a heck of a win. Now, I do think even though, put that aside, I do think the Colts show you so a lot in this. I mean, they're 3 and O. There was a sense that you could go, well, you know, they didn't really beat anybody and whatever. And now, you know, I mean, to go on, have a road game, a game, they probably should have won. The Rams, they're still my Sleeper Super Bowl contender, still

love them. Puka Nakua had a couple big catches. You had the 2-2 Atwell, so it showed some explosiveness. I still think they're very dangerous. But for me, the story of the game is the Colts and dropping the football, which there, would you cut a guy if he drops them? How bad do you have to be before you cut them? I can't believe that there's so many examples of this happening every season. This would should be absolutely humiliating seeing it one time. If I'm, you know, I would never be in their position because

I'm not talented enough. But if I am that close to scoring a touchdown, I'm confident I can hold on to the ball in the breadbasket for another half second. And then I'll do my big celebration. But it's just so costly being down three there would have been an explosive play to go up on the Rams and completely flip the game, even though it was just the first half. And Daniel Jones, he has two interceptions. One of them was kind of late throwing it up at the end.

It was his first pick of the year earlier in the game. But I still think Daniel Jones might be for real, even though this is a lot. the loss. He looked good otherwise. He's a comeback player of the year so far for sure. And this is the first time they had to punt. So, you know, that streak ends. What's next? Jaguars and the 49ers played in the 4 o'clock windows. The Jaguars. The Jacksonville Jaggs is what we'll call on here. You said, you said Jaguars. I don't think I've ever. That's what he said, Drew. Did he not to say Jaguars? I didn't catch it. I know this is a lot I need you.

Those of you list me home. I want you to hit the rewind 15 seconds. I say Jaguars, which is not what most people say. Drew, how do you say it? Jacksonville Jaguars. How did I say that? You say it like me. I've never heard Jaguars.

Well, regardless, they got the win today. 26 to 21. Jacksonville Jaguars. Actually, I've probably said that a few times. It's like the Kentucky version. It's got a little twang in it. Jaguars. Oh, it's like Jacksonville Jaguars.

You know what? Actually, I probably said it that way several times too. Jaguar, Jaguar. Jaguars. All right. I like it. Go ahead. Tell me what happened with them, Jaguar. Regardless, the Jags had a big pump return touchdown. They were up 17 to 6 at half. I mean, San Francisco can't stay healthy. Pierceall was in the medical tent.

Juan Jennings got hurt at one point. You know, Purdy's thrown to himself out there. But San Francisco did have four turnovers in the game. Jacksonville had a sack force fumble at the end to pull it out 26 to 21. Do you think injuries are luck or when a team has two straight years of insane injury situations on the 49ers? Is there some point where you start to go? There's got to be some commonality here. Hey, I'm with you on that one.

It's been too many. It's been a lot of playmaking receivers also. Their whole receiver room has been injured this season. Last year, they were like the most injured team ever. This year, we're four weeks in and they're about to be the most injured team ever again. That can't be coincidence. Well, let's talk about Jacksonville because I am in on Jacksonville. I was in on them from the beginning of the season.

Liam Cohen, who was at Kentucky, I think is a good offensive mind. Trevor Lawrence starting to show why he was a top pick. Their defense was actually has been good for the last couple of years. They got a lot of guys who can make plays. I think they're going to win that division. I mean, I think you're in on them too, aren't you? Yeah, I mean, that division is terrible, which will actually help their record because they're going to get a lot of wins just having to play the Titans, Texans.

But this is a good win. You beat the 49ers on the road. I think they're with Purdy. I don't see them making any kind of playoff run, but even if they were in another division, I see them competing for a playoff bid because I think they are a competitive team. We'll keep seeing them in games like this. And Travis Hunter, we've kind of wondered what he'll be. He looked great as a receiver today.

There was a throw where Lawrence was, you know, backed up into their own end zone. He throws at 30 yards down in the middle of the field, and Hunter really stretched out and got it. So he and Brian Thomas Jr. looking like some weapons for them too. The owner of the Jaguars said, or as some people say, Jaguars, the owner of the Jaguars said after the first game, we now win forever.

And he so far is correct. Three and one. And they're going to win forever in Jacksonville. And then just ending, my bears block a kick at the end to win in Las Vegas. Massive win. the last few years, the bears have lost that game every way possible. They block a kick, Drew, in a way that I've often wondered why more people don't do.

They blocked it from the edge. If you go look at how the guy lined up, he was lined up way to the outside, and he just got ahead of steam and blocked it before really he could be touched. I've always thought that was a way you could get more block kicks and it worked, and he blocked it by a lot. I mean, he almost flew past the ball. Yeah, and that's good for the Bears, also what's up with these games the last two weeks with all these block field goals i know you're

mentioning they had that tactic but we're blocking field goals in every which way they were three or four a week ago and then here in this second round of afternoon games i mean that might be the play it's a good question it's a good question you've seen more blocked field goals um there've been a couple block puns i don't know what the record is but anecdotally it does feel like there are a lot more blocks and a lot more blocks that are like significant not just tipping it but like blocking it in the case last week returning it. The Bears block was like, you know, blocked it completely. I do wonder if something happened during the off season with special teams that they figured

out ways to get, you know, creative blitzes. But I know we're seeing more of it this year than we have in the past. Yeah, these two weeks have been wild lately. I guess it'll keep up to whatever it was behind the trend. But the question is, are you behind your trend of now? Was this two wins in a row? Are you talking yourselves into it? I'm in.

I'm in on the Bears being improved. I don't know how, for me, this year for the Bears was one thing. Is Caleb Williams an NFL you can win with starting quarterback? And I'm not ready to say yes yet, but I'm getting closer. I thought he was great today. They should have scored more than they did. I mean, they got stopped in the red zone a few times, ended up with field goals. But he made a lot of really good decisions.

I think you can see the effect Ben Johnson's hat on him. He's so good at sort of sensing pressure now. All these hits he took last year. He's not taken this year. So, yeah, I mean, you know, I don't, maybe they make the playoffs, but I'm actually becoming into, yes, Caleb Williams can be good in the NFL. And he's got good pieces around him. Romaduzzi had a big game.

I've mentioned many times. I'm a big Luther burden fan. So if Williams does pan out, you've got a good offensive coach already. You could end up being a really fun team moving forward. I mean, you could end up with a scenario where that draft class two years ago, that quarterback is historic. I mean, Jaden Daniels, we know is good. Bo Nicks, I keep waiting to fail, but he's been good.

Drake May has been much improved in the last week or two. And then, you know, J.J. McCarthy has had at least one very good game, even though this is really his first season playing. If you throw Caleb into mix, you get five, and then Michael Pennix, Jenner has had a clash. Yeah, I mean, you get six guys. I mean, let's just assume one or two of them don't pan out.

You get four really good starters out of a college recruiting class. That's pretty impressive, especially since, no offense to Kay Ward. You might not get one out of this one. Yeah, I mean, that whole draft class could be the whole future with all those guys you named. And then, of course, you know, Spencer Rattler might be 0.10 right now, but as we were learned earlier in the show,

don't give up on Spencer Rattler yet. He could join that group too. Well, I don't know. We'll see, maybe. But nevertheless, I'm positive on Caleb, so that's a good side. Now, the next time you hear from me, I will be back in Kentucky.

We'll be doing a show again this week. Make sure you subscribe. If you haven't yet, we have a five-star perfect rating on Spotify. I think we're like a four-nine on Apple. so the few people that were, you know, being contrarians on Apple, I'm not going to hold it personally. But you know what? I see you.

But for everybody else, thank you very much for keeps rising in the charts. Thanks for listening. I'm now going to let my neighbors sleep. This has been NFL Cover Zero. NFL Cover Zero with Matt Jones and Drew Franklin is a production of the NFL and IHeart Podcast. For more podcasts from IHeart Radio, visit the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. This is an IHeart podcast Guaranteed human