NFL Daily with Gregg Rosenthal - 2021 Week 15 Recap

Episode Date: December 20, 2021

A room filled with heroes - Dan Hanzus, Marc Sessler and Gregg Rosenthal recap every single game starting with the Ravens decision to go for two! Analytics! After the Packers/Ravens recap, we hit the Patriots and Titans losses before moving forward to some more upsets of the weekend. The heroes recap the Sunday Night Football matchup between the Bucs and Saints. Woof. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comNFL Daily YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nflpodcastsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an I-Heart podcast. Hey, everybody. Daniel Jeremiah here. And I'm Bucky Brooks. On Move the 6th, we take you inside the game from breaking down college prospects and NFL rookies to evaluating team building philosophies, coaching trends, and how front offices construct winning rosters. We study the tape, talk to decision makers, and give you a perspective you won't find anywhere else.

It's everything you need to understand the why behind what happens on Sunday. Don't miss it. Listen to the Move the Sticks podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Marcus Grant. And I'm Michael Florio, and together we host the NFL Fantasy Football Podcast. Ready to dominate your fantasy league this season? Then you need the NFL Fantasy Football Podcast, your ultimate source for player news, draft tips, and winning strategies. Whether you're a rookie manager or a fantasy vet. We've got the insight to help you crush your opponents.

Listen to the NFL Fantasy Football Podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Toyota, the official automotive partner of the NFL. Visit Toyota.com slash NFL now to learn more. Around the NFL podcast is biting kneecaps 24-7. From the Chris Wesleying podcast studio, it's Around the NFL, the flagship program. Sunday night.

We here now, Dan Ansis, heroes, Greg Rosenthal, Mark Sessler, and boys, you know, Omicron, that's going next level. It feels like we are this close to another global shutdown. I get very nervous about that on a number of levels. This whole place, this building feels like a ghost town, and the NFL is not alone. It's happening everywhere as people are kind of going underground as this virus is mutated into something very dangerous. But the big story right now, I think, is the long-simmering analytics culture war that is really now coming to a boil within the football cognizanti. And this week has been a big one because it started with Thursday and Brandon Staley saying, I hate field goals.

I only want to score touchdowns and all the drama around that on Thursday. Then it comes around to Sunday, the late game, with John Harbaugh, for the second time in three weeks, going for two, down one. And once again, failing. We're going to get to that game. But it feels like you're either on this side or the other side. I even could draw some parallels marked to the political climate of this country a few years back, where it's getting more and more angry. A few years. And I think what makes us even more fun that we have Greg on one side of this battle,

me and you maybe on the other maybe you on the fence a little bit more, Mark, and that's going to cause some spicy tension in the studio all throughout the episode. I agree with you 100%. I think it's like

I look at all the stuff that creates the decisions that are being made and like it's the way that we played like Madden and Tecmo Bowl growing up where you just never punted you went for it and like all of it lines up and makes sense and the numbers

like there's reasons that analytics is blowing up all of that agreed with. I think sometimes for me it's just like you can't even look at what happened at the end of the Green Bay Baltimore game, which we'll get into and even make a comment about it. You just have to say yes, that's all you do. If you have a comment, make it. Don't be

afraid. I'm not afraid, Greg. It's because when the climate is as it is, it's like there's a group of smart people and a group of like lumbering oaks, lumbering oafs if you in any way. Dunderheaded people that don't get it. From yesteryear. But it's not that. It's just that

I think it's a, it is a place where there could be debate, not about what is the more mathematically probable situation, but just other elements of it. Feel the game. I really like how Dan got us into this. It's like, hey, Omicron on fire this week. You know what else is on fire? Analytic. I mean, this is the real story.

I'll get the tweets like, Sessler doesn't know what he's talking about. He's a dinosaur. It's like, I am telling you, I agree with all elements of analytics, but I'm just saying that you're not even allowed to have a discussion. No, of course you are. Like, we should have it. And I would say, like, I think what you're reacting to and what I do too is, like, the discourse is tiring in theory.

Bingo. Right, but then, but just try to ignore it, I guess what I would say. I am bathed in it. 24, trying to ignore what? Like, have your own. There's a football game on every night of the week now. There's an annoying. You don't have to watch.

You don't have to, like, you mute the Twitter. I'm saying, like, it's become annoyingly omnipresent as a discussion. if you cover the sport now. And I do get the feeling. It's a perfect example. So I thought they should have kicked that extra point. Baltimore in this game three weeks ago or two weeks ago, I thought they should have went for two.

But for some reason you're not really allowed to take it game by game or moment by moment. It has to be all this way. I think that's a comment, though. You keep saying like you're not supposed to. You can say whatever you want. If you can't back up whatever you want to say and like stand behind it, it's not a big deal. It's a football opinion.

It's like any football opinion. I just feel like you get labeled. This feels different to me than just a football opinion. You get labeled in SP to use Scientology parlance. You're a suppressive person that needs to be reeducated. But this decision, this is where I guess I would think you guys are off with this. Because in this decision, I would say. I know I'm off with this.

I'm an SP. I know. What I'm saying is all the analytics people are going against each other because who I like that. Numbers wise, this decision was far from clear. The numbers would have said. to kick it. It would not have said to go for it necessarily.

Harbaugh was kind of doing what you're saying is he was feeling like the flow of the game and he was looking at other factors that don't go into the number. And he was just saying like, I like Tyler Huntley right now. You know, I like going for it. Even though the numbers would say I should kick it and trust my defense here, I don't really trust it. And not to get down that wormhole, but you are right. Why not? Well, because we haven't, we'll get into that game, but they lost a 13.9 percentage

of win probability according to next gen stats not next gen mark when they went for the two point and i think the last time they did it his reasoning because their secondary was shattered and it's still a mess we get that made sense let's get into it do you see mark and i as sps no i don't even i think that it's it's straw man it's a change is uncomfortable you know what i'm looking no but you're suggesting that change is uncomfortable to mark and dan but gregg is beyond the and the other fools i'm saying like think of the bill Belichick decision. I go back to this a lot going for it with the lead on fourth down against the Colts. That was, that stopped football for weeks. Now, that was a unique game, was a big game.

Those sort of decisions now happen fairly routinely, and it doesn't really stop football. I think this last week, and certainly this season, has been kind of a watershed moment of guys going for two. And whether that, I don't think there's going to be a, not everyone's going to be Harbon-Staley. They're getting the heat because they stand out. There's not that many coaches like them. But more and more, this is what football is going to be like more and more. And so the reaction's not going to be quite as much. It's just going to be part of it. I think kids growing up watching now, they're just going to get used to like that going for two is part of the game.

And it's not just going for too. It's the fourth down stuff. It's the fourth down stuff. It's become the situation where I think, you know, this is a copycat league also. And I think beyond just what their analytics departments are telling them, now all the like, quote, unquote, top coaches all are consistently going for it as well. So I think it's caused this chain reaction. where everyone goes for it. Except for, you know, Billiuchick.

I think Belichick's a great example because he is the most conservative coach in the league this year, and he plays to what his team is. And in the past, he's been like as aggressive as ever. Trivia question. Yes. First two-point conversion in NFL history. 1994.

How did it happen? Kevin Mack running over the back. Mr. Conservative, Bill Belichick, shooting Tom Tup with her punter right into pay dirt. Ooh. Like that. Maybe you're not an SP. I'm not an SP I enjoy debate from you know whoever let's get into all the games and remember it's not all the games of the week not even close to it we got two on Monday we got two more on Tuesday but we had 10 to dive into today and another one to go through from Saturday night we'll get to that in just a few minutes but let's start yes with the game that we've already been arguing about hit it Ricky Green Bay's lead is one 31 30 can the Packers get one

Stop here on a two-point conversion. Motion from a tight end to the wing of the left side. Huntley in the shotgun. Latavius Murray to his right, snap to Huntley, rolls right, throws right side of the end zone. And it's incomplete. Incomplete. Right corner of the end zone at front of the pylon.

And incomplete, the Packers are going to hang on to win this game. Yes, Wayne Laravie with the call WTMJ. John Harbaugh did it again. For the second time at three weeks, the Ravens scored a touchdown in the final seconds. Then opted to try for the two-point conversion for the win rather than the game-tying PAT. And for the second time in three weeks, Baltimore walked away with a stomach punch defeat. 313. Packers, hold on, just barely. And Mark, this is a game, Lamar Jackson out with a sprained ankle.

It's the first game he's missed due to injury in his career. He's missed a couple games due to illness. And Tyler Huntley really played well. and brought this team back from a 31-17 deficit. And just the fact he had two rushing touchdowns where he just stayed cool under pressure, saw a running lane, took it, scored once, scored again in the fourth quarter.

And that, I guess, emboldened John Harbaugh to say, I know it's not Lamar here, but I trust this guy to win this game. It didn't work out. But really a nice performance by Huntley. And, oh, by the way, the Packers clinched the NFC North with that win. Well, they've showed total faith in time.

Tyler Huntley. And I, you know, this is, there's a lot of pressure on that entire offense because you're playing the Packers. You don't have Marlon Humphrey. Marcus Peters is out of the mix. Jimmy Smith tested positive for COVID. Their secondary was totally shattered, which I think again, like that last game where John Harbaugh made that decision at the end, contributed again to this. It's like, do you really want to tie the game and give Aaron Rogers less than a minute of regulation and then potentially the first possession in overtime? So I get all that. I look at the Ravens overall who've got like 18, 19, 20 guys missing every game. That were this another organization, another team, their record would be reversed. I know they're out of the playoff mix right now. I fully trust that they'll get back in it. Fully? Well, you know what?

Every time I say that, it goes south. I strongly trust. I mean, they play the Bengals next week, which will basically decide for that week who's ahead in AFC North. They lose that one. They're in real trouble. Well, then they have the Rams and the Steelers. So fully, let's strike fully from the.

record but they are as resilient a team around and uh see i helped you out there i know it's been a bit of a i i cannot believe that i am even talking about anything at this point it's just been a nightmare but um i i don't i wouldn't be shocked if that steelers game still has meaning in week 18 oh yeah i fully expected to this was an amazing performance by the ravens to be down that many players i mean you just mentioned their entire starting secondary oh yeah by the way chuck Clark, Deshawn Elliott, like their safeties who were so good. Like, none of their starting group was around, except for Tavon Young, their slot quarter, who leaves this game with a concussion.

So that's, I think, part of the equation in deciding to go for two. This was not a game with a lot of possessions. Each team only had eight possessions in this game, and yet look at the score, 31 to 30. So I think what you said, Mark was well said, was that there was a chip. chance here, you know, a 75% chance, if you wanted to go for the numbers, that the Packers were going to get two possessions before the Ravens got any. You know, they knew that they were going to get 40 seconds left to go kick the field goal. That's why I figured he would kick the extra point.

You know, I assumed that the Ravens would just take the tie because either way, the Rogers can go get the game-winning field goal, and that should be enough time for Rogers to do it. So you might as well just tie it and not risk missing the two. But he just, I think, thought like, let's go win it now. We don't want to play any more football because we're the inferior team. That's also a lot of trust in Mason Crosby who has been like a hot and cold semi-nightmare. I just thought it felt a little different because they did get the stop that preceded the second touchdown.

And they were at home and they were just, it seemed like the momentum was on their side. But you know what? It didn't work out. And you know what annoys me? We just had that long conversation. and Ricky just sent me this tweet from Scott Zolak. This is exactly what I'm talking about. L-O-L-L-O-L-L-L-L-L-L-L-L-L-L-L-L-L-L-O-L.

O-N-2, Baltimore, L-O-L-L-L. I mean, this is like the capital-riots portion of our side of the battle here. That's the S-P. Yeah, these are the people. It's the problem. When you look around and it's some sort of argument on Twitter and you're like, wait, why is this guy on my side?

Yeah, that's not good. We try to separate from that. because, again, I don't think, I thought it was a smart, well, a balsy decision in both cases, but really smart to do it the first time. This time it felt a little bit reckless and almost like, I don't know, it's like if you are, if you view yourself as a Super Bowl contender, as a big AFC team, a team that's a division leader in that moment, maybe put some faith in your entire team there to get it done rather than what felt

to me a way to steal a win. That's just how it kind of came off to me, like maybe a minor crisis. in confidence, like, oh, wow, we might actually be able to steal this thing and get out of here, rather than saying, okay, we've taken control this game. Let's go win it. I guess I think that's why in 20 years it won't be as big of an argument. Because to me, it's still is trusting your team to win. You know, it's trust.

Zolak thing's annoying me, by the way. Absolutely. But like, I think if you just change your perspective a little, it's like it's trusting our team to go win by scoring the two points. It's just a different way to try to go win. The annoying thing, and I'm with you, Mark, on this, is that after these games, the entire 60 minutes gets boiled down to that one decision. And number one, it's crazy that the Ravens, like, are in this game at all, like, that the Packers blow this lead. The Packers should have put up 31 points, and they did.

The surprising part is that they're giving up so much yardage to Mark Andrews over and over and over. obviously they didn't have an answer for Huntley like they didn't adjust like that was that was surprising to me to give up 30 points of the rate it is a reminder that you know with the possible exception of the Patriots even the teams that we pump up as big defenses they seem susceptible week to week to having letdowns and that's kind of how I saw this game they had a chance to close it out and they repeatedly failed down the stretch there but Rogers needs his tackles back it's not just Bakhtiari it's Billy Turner's out too and Bakhtiari was practicing a little more this week so that'd be good and they might get those two back, that's been a big problem for them. He was under a lot of pressure today. Early in the fourth, they were averaging over nine yards per play on first down, Green Bay. I mean, they were doing fine. And we'll get to the Cardinals in a few minutes, but with this win, a Cardinals loss, of course, the Packers have a tiebreaker, individual head-to-head tiebreaker on the Cardinals.

Things are shaping up very well for Green Bay. I just wanted to, I wish we could go back. I remember Tyler Huntley, preseason star, I talked him up one of the, of these episodes way back in August. Sometimes the preseason matters. This guy, he was, I think, the number one ranked PFF guy in the preseason. He went undrafted. He's a second year player.

I remember seeing all these tweets like, or I saw a couple. It's like, where will Tyler Huntley be starting next year? Like, he's not starting anywhere. He's got to be the backup for the Ravens for two more years. They know what they got. This is amazing to hit on a guy undrafted that's this good, this early. Like, he has been pretty good in all of his starts.

is relief appearances. Are you hinting at some QB drama? No, not at all. I did down that road. I did see some of those tweets, too. It's like, oh, they're better with Tyler Huntley right now. I mean, they have moved the ball better at the last six quarters. They're a well-run organization, so it does not surprise me that they've now developed a really good backup quarterback.

That's why they're always good. They just know what they're doing. But it doesn't mean they're going to make the playoffs this year because right now they sit, Mark, in the eighth seed. I believe the eighth. And by the way. It does not qualify you. It does not. I'm sure in two years, there'll be 11 teams from both conferences making the playoffs in 26 regular season games.

But that's for then. So, yes, that's a big game atop the NFC standings with Green Bay getting another win. Let's now look to the top of the AFC standings where the Patriots were looking to get back into that one spot on Saturday night. Let's go back in time. What's up, everybody? Daniel Jeremiah here. And I'm Bucky Brooks. On Move the Sticks, we take you inside the game.

from scouting reports and player development to team-building philosophies, coaching trends in how front offices construct winning rosters. Every week, we study the tape, talk to decision-makers, and share the insights you won't find anywhere else. It's the kind of conversation

that connects the dots, from college football prospects to the NFL stars of tomorrow. We break down the draft, analyze match-ups, and evaluate how teams put it all together on game day. Plus, we dig in the coaching strategies, roster construction,

and the trends that shape the lead. year after year. Whether you're a diehard fan or just love understanding the game on a deeper level, we give you the full picture. If you want insight that goes beyond the box score, this podcast is for you. Don't miss it. Listen to the Move the Six podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, this is Matt Jones. I'm Drew Franklin. And this is NFL cover zero. We're just here to try to give you an NFL perspective a little bit different. Did you see the Colts Pretzel?

That was my other big takeaway from that game. What was that? Oh, my. We think NFL coverage should be informative and entertaining. And twice a week, that is exactly what you're going to get. Listen to NFL Cover Zero with Matt Jones and Drew Franklin on the I Heart Radio app, Apple podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. Toyota, the official automotive partner of the NFL.

Visit Toyota.com slash NFL now to learn more. I'm Marcus Grant. And I'm Michael Flaureo, and together we host the NFL Fantasy Football Podcast. Ready to dominate your fantasy league this season? Then you need the NFL Fantasy Football Podcast, your ultimate source for player news, draft tips, and winning strategies. Whether you're a rookie manager or a fantasy vet. We've got the insight to help you crush your opponents.

Listen to the NFL Fantasy Football Podcast on the, the iHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Toyota, the official automotive partner of the NFL. Visit Toyota.com slash NFL now to learn more. Vince under center. Hands off to Taylor. Taylor, big run. He's at the 45, 50, 40, 30, 25, 20, 15, 10.

touchdown. Jonathan Taylor, 67 yards to the house. J.T. Pater. Great call by Matt Taylor, WFNI. Bill Belichick will take away your best weapon. Well, not when Jonathan Taylor's involved. The star running back danced through a loaded box and took it to the house. A 67-yard rush.

The clincher and a 27-17 win over the Patriots in front of a raucous home crowd at Lucas Oil Stadium. That was a great home crowd. I don't know if it's Saturday night probably was. holidays people maybe on vacation even with all this crazy stuff going on getting a little loose having fun great vibe for a game anyway gregg that's the end of the seven game winning streak for the patriots who couldn't quite dig themselves out of a deep hole of their own making as for the colts they belong in that a fc contender conversation yeah they're eight and six they got a big christmas day game against the cardinals which is really interesting like they're a team that's

tied for that last spot and yet it feels like they're about as good as any team in the aFC i think it's all very even at the top. And the reason they got out to that big lead was both lines really won. I mean, especially the Colts defensive line, which is not something that we've talked a lot about this season. I thought in the first 20 minutes of the game, and that's basically when it was won, they were darting into the backfield and stopping runs. They were harassing Mack Jones, and they discombobulated and forced a lot of penalties from the Patriots' offense, whereas the Colts' offensive line on the flip side

was very cohesive, pushed Patriots up front around. It's just a couple long drives, but that's sort of how the Patriots try to win. And when your team is based on not making the big mistake and just playing smart, well, when you have a bunch of penalties, you lose the turnover battle, 2 to 1, and you get a punt blocked, then you lose. Like the margin for error for a team like the Patriots

is a little bit smaller. And it was surprising to see both lines get hands, early before they kind of settled down in the second half. Yeah, I mean, it harked back a little bit to some of the up-and-down play from New England before the win streak. And, you know, I think they both want to do the same things, these two teams. And yes, you're right, like Bill Belichick wants to take away your best player, and he couldn't do it last night. I thought the Colts and Frank Reich were much more successful at that.

Are they imperfect? Yes. Are they scared of anyone? No. It had massive game of the year energy because I think the Colts went in with this, with a great plan which speaks to their coaching and trusted their players to go out and dominate in the defense to me

what they were able to do to New England early on, especially against the run, was they just took New England's identity way a little bit. Yeah, I thought that was interesting. This is a 20-0 game after three-quarters. I think New England did miss Damien Harris and the physicality he brings to their running attack. And I also, it's a weird game because I came out of it

actually feeling as weird as it sounds a little better about the Patriots and maybe a tiny bit worse about the Colts, if that makes sense? Because like with the Patriots, sure, they failed to execute. They get a punt block. It's the third time this year. They give up a touchdown that way. I think it was Jamie Collins has a potential pick six go through his hands. You have Mack Jones who throws two picks, including one in the red zone.

And yet they get off the mat. And so many, and I've seen this up close with my team so many times. So many when you have a rookie quarterback, when things kind of snowing, ball against you for a couple of quarters or a couple really bad drives in a row, you just lose that guy for the game. And it's just like, you know, it's a growing, growing game for a rookie QB like Mack Jones. So for him to get off the mat and really thrive and get them back in the game, I was like, okay, I mean, he's already wearing big boy pants. And then on the, on the cold side of the ball, you cannot, you cannot watch that game and see what happened

with Carson Wentz. When he throws that interception at the beginning of the fourth quarter, when it's 20 to 7 and then see how Frank Wright calls the rest of that game and not see it as a direct a direct viewpoint that he doesn't trust his quarterback he was not going to let Carson Wentz

ruin this game for him and that's something to keep an eye on because Wentz had a chance to really bury the Patriots and after I saw that pick he was like no man I got to give it to Taylor no matter what Well the best version of the cults

is to get out the way they did let guys like Darius Leonard make plays let the defense line basically shut down anything else, you know, an opponent wants to do. And then ride Jonathan Taylor. I mean, that hasn't, that they've gotten up big in these games. They did that against the Ravens and the Titans. They have big leads, though.

That is their M.O. Well, then this was a, this, they turned the corner in this game from a cult's angle. I mean, they, they got tight with their play calling. I thought when they had a chance to put it away and you could kind of feel the tension building. And they almost, they went from 20-0 to 2017 and giving it to Jonathan Taylor with a stack box and he just happened to make an amazing play. I think this game could have very easily swung all the way over to the padside. It got close.

I mean, I guess they don't trust Wence. I hear that, but I mean, Wens has been sturdy in a lot of games. He completed five passes. And all the games against good teams, they've had big leads and they've blown them and lost in the other three. This time they blow him and Jonathan Taylor was incredible. You know, the thing that impressed me was before that big run, he go, you know, the first two runs of that driver up the middle for a first down.

The Patriots know the run is coming, and even in the fourth quarter, I think with nine minutes left, they got two first downs by not being aggressive. So that was impressive by the offensive line. But on that game-winning play, Donta Hightower and Devin McCordy are in the hole unblocked. It's not even the offensive line. It's just Jonathan Taylor being awesome. And I'm with you. I thought, Dan, that that was, you don't want to lose,

but that was a good experience for Mack Jones and the offense, I think, to be put in that position. and respond the way. And I think... And the defense, for that matter. Because the defense, after the first quarter, held up terrific. They were put in some terrible spots until that one play, basically, they had shut him down. Quick aside for the media side of the things, I think Greg Olson is coming for Tony Romo, coming hard.

He's closing fast. I thought it was very interesting the way he explained how Jonathan Taylor makes guys miss in the hole, that he actually sets guys up in ways that makes him think he's going one way. And it's just like he's playing the game at a higher level than most running backs. I thought that was really interesting. And that's, I'm sure, a skill he used to get away from those two defenders there. He had 7.7. He averaged 7.7 yards per carry between the tackles.

And the Patriots knew it was coming. Olson might be number one right now. I don't know. But Kevin Burckhardt, by the way, knows friends show. He's awesome, too. Incredible, yeah. They're great. And Darius Leonard, like those two interceptions that Mack Jones threw,

those were incredible plays. The Leonard play mentally and physically, and then the Okoriki play, I mean, those were incredible plays by athletic linebackers. What about the throw across his body under duress to Hunter Henry? I mean, you don't come out disliking either team, but I do dislike something that happened in this game. I don't know why I need to bring it up, but I lost my lock on this, and I'm tired of it.

This week of football has been an ill treat. I'm a half game up now on the battle with the Vikings up ahead. Now you've got to root for the Bears on Monday night. How much worse? to get for you. No, I'm not going to be, I'm just going to sit back and watch, let life unfold. I thought you meant like Carson once had five completions in the fourth quarter or the second half. I didn't realize he's five. Right. Wait, why isn't, why isn't Frank Reich a genius for like putting his quarterback and putting him on ice and giving it to his running back 30 times?

Come on. That's not the same thing and you know it. Right. And not for nothing, you know, we talk a lot about fourth downs this week. And you didn't hear a lot of like, holy cow, Frank Reich blew the game. because all those fourth downs he went for, including in his own end with the lead. Oh, wait, that's because he went three for three. And they won this game, partly because he was aggressive on fourth downs late in this game.

You've got to give Wentz the credit for those QB sneaks then because I think the Patriots knew the second two were coming. Well, that dude is a tough MFer. He's a great QB sneak. We got to move, but like, speaking of being very confident and being aggressive, I can't believe Bill kicked that field goal. Oh, yeah, that was bad. Should have went for that.

See, this isn't like Team Zolak. over here. Not at all. I'm with you 100%. That put him in a really bad spot. Yeah, it was really strange. I think he thought the flow of the game, he trusted his defense too much.

It's strange because in the past, Belichick's been one of the most aggressive guys going for it. But he's clearly coached differently this year with this quarterback in defense. And just the, it was fourth and goal at Indy's seven-yard line. And it was-you-need touchdowns. It was 20-7. And he opts for the field goal.

He makes it 20. 2010, but then Indy has a five-minute drive that's fruitless. They punt it, but by the time New England gets it back, they're down by 10 with only 348 to go. So it didn't work. They needed a three and out, basically. We're separatists. We're not SPs because I think we don't exist in this box where no matter what, I'm a robot

that says you must do everything aggressively. Or do I live in 1978, okay? Perhaps we're moderates. We're moderates. Yeah, but this is what I'm, this is what I'm saying. I like that move by all. I feel like I'm a moderate too then. By that, I don't think there's that many people in either camp.

There are the Zolax, and there are a couple of... He's at the Capitol. Right. There's a couple of members of football Twitter. There's a couple members of football Twitter who are like no-context analytics guys. But I actually think most of the people who are kind of pro-analytics are all about context, and the situation depends. Are you reaching over from the other side of the aisle? I am.

I want us to be a better country. We're in the aisle. How about a Roman handshake? Pop pop, pop, we're in this together. All right, let's move back to Sunday. Oh, this is annoying for you, Mark. And a little bit for everyone. All right, let's take a break,

and then we will continue on the Sunday slate. What's up, everybody? Daniel Jeremiah here. And I'm Bucky Brooks. On Move the Sticks, we take you inside the game from Scouting Reports and player development to team-building philosophies, coaching trends, and how front offices

construct winning rosters. Every week, we start. Study the tape, talk to decision makers, and share the insights you won't find anywhere else. It's the kind of conversation that connects the dots, from college football prospects to the NFL stars of tomorrow. We break down the draft, analyze matchups, and evaluate how teams put it all together on game day. Plus, we dig into coaching strategies, roster construction, and the trends that shape the league year after year. Whether you're a diehard fan or just love understanding the game on a deeper level, we give you the full picture. If you want insight that goes beyond the box score, this podcast is for you.

Don't miss it. Listen to the Move the Six podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, this is Matt Jones. I'm Drew Franklin. And this is NFL cover zero. We're just here to try to give you an NFL perspective a little bit different. Did you see the Colts Pretzel? That was my other big takeaway from that game.

What was that? Oh, my. We think NFL coverage should be informative and entertaining. And twice a week, that is exactly what you're going to get. Listen to NFL Cover Zero with Matt Jones and Drew Franklin on the I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Toyota, the official automotive partner of the NFL. Visit Toyota.com slash NFL now to learn more. I'm Marcus Grant.

And I'm Michael Fiorio. And together we host the NFL. Fantasy Football Podcast. Ready to dominate your fantasy league this season? Then you need the NFL fantasy football podcast, your ultimate source for player news, draft tips, and winning strategies. Whether you're a rookie manager or a fantasy vet, we've got the insight to help you crush your opponents.

Listen to the NFL Fantasy Football Podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Toyota, the official automotive partner of the NFL, visit Toyota.com slash NFL. now to learn more. Fourth down and seven. He gets a snap. He's back.

He throws a pass and it's pulled in. And that's going to be a tackle. Is it short of that lead stick? No way. No, he didn't make that first down marker. Let's answer the question. Bradley Rogers, is there space between the nose of the ball and the lead stick? No.

Ball over on downs. Bill Hillgrove and Craig Wolf. League with the call for WDVEE. They call him Joe Money. Joe Hayden made a huge impact in his return to the lineup. No moment bigger than when he stuffed. Nick Westbrook Aquino's inches short of a first down. Really, it was a half yard.

It was a very nice spot there for Tennessee to even make it close. But either way, he was short of a first down at the Pittsburgh 10 in the final second. Sealing a 1913 win keeps the Steelers alive, very much so, or perhaps undead to put it a different way in the AFC playoff picture. You know, man, Pittsburgh, it's not pretty and never is with them this season. But they do have a survivalist mentality and their defense on a day where the offense managed 168 yards total. The defense really stepped up, forcing four turnovers, three on consecutive Tennessee possessions in the second half. And that's just 10 days after.

they got whipped by the Vikings. And, you know, so basically it was the defense and Chris Boswell being like under the radar, one of the very best kickers in the league, kicking four field goals in December in Pittsburgh. And that allowed the Steelers their second win over division leader in three weeks. So, um, listen, let's hear from Big Ben, by the way. I, uh, just like where he's at where the Steelers are at and then we'll open up the conversation.

You know, I think we, I think we saw a pulse, uh, in this thing. So we'll see where it goes from here. Notice a little tell there. I think we still have a pulse. He's now winking. This is the zombie Steelers. And Mark, they're not going to die. I know you wanted him dead.

But it's not happening. I didn't expect them to die this week necessarily. I thought one thing about the Titans. If you got last week's version of the Titans, and I know they played a floating, wandering opponent in the Jaguars, but from their angle with a cobbled together offense, All right, Ben. I mean, I'm trying here.

Like, they didn't have turned the ball. They didn't get the ball away. They had three lost fumbles in a interception today. And this game was always going to be close. I was surprised that the Steelers were not favored in this, looking at the personnel on Tennessee's offense. They were eventually. By game time, they were slight favorites.

Yeah, I'm not stunned to see the Steel. This is sort of what they are. And I think they'll probably go, like, 8, 8 and 1, like I've been hoping. But you've got to get two wins out of four. Here's the thing. I mean, it's going to be tough. You've got the Chiefs, the Browns, and the Ravens. So I totally see them as survivors that will go down.

Again, I said that Ravens Steelers game will be big. Would you rule it out them winning two of those three, though? Not at all. Not at all. But because I think that the league is essentially 78% totally middle of the road operations. Well, what about the AFC North? If they went two of their final three and they go 9, 7 and 1, that probably wins the AFC North. And they've earned it.

They've earned your division games, yeah. But like, think about that because, And I got a chance to watch this game. I don't know if you guys got good eyes on it yet. But this does not feel like a team that's ready to make a deep run in January or be taken seriously against the big team. And yet they do hang around and fight their way through these games. And then there's something that's again, like with John Harbaugh and the Ravens, there is something to be said for the coaching that they do feel like they are maximizing their potential right now as as middling as that may be. It's great.

I mean, I'm glad Mark didn't watch this game because I was here. in the early session, and we'll get to the Cardinals, but it was a lot of stress. If he was watching this closer, he would have seen a 23-yard field goal drive by the Steelers. This is all their field, their scoring drive, a 39-year-touchdown drive. Then their final three drives,

in the fourth quarter, they recover three straight turnovers in Tennessee's end, and they get a total of two first downs in those three drives, kick field goals for all three. That is a crazy, our defense is taking over and winning this game for us while the Titans are collapsing type of comeback. It is a T.J. Watt defensive player of the year type of game. In the first half, he had a play in the red zone where he had a quarterback hit,

forced fumble, I believe it was, shut down a drive there, got three quarterback hits in the game, a sack and a half. A lot of this was pressure, and it's these teams kind of being exactly who they've been all season. Tennessee has shut down the run. They kind of dominated up front. Like they didn't give up many yards at all. But Tennessee, it just doesn't have any offense. And Julio Jones got hurt again with a hamstring injury again.

She's not going to happen with Jones. These are who these two teams have been. Grave Digger, of course, of the Titans Film Room podcast. And by the way, just announced, you know how like on Saturday Night Live on Twitter, they'll show the little note cards, like who's coming up in the future episodes. Always. Coming up on TNF and a huge TNF game between the Titans. And the Niners.

The Niners. Gravedigger will be sitting in with us on Mike to talk that game. Now, Grave digger. Assuming his social calendar allows for such activity. Yeah, we've got to pull that. He respectfully made the request to stop talking about his private life because he's got something simmering. He's got something on the burner. And we have said, absolutely, respect you as a friend and his colleague.

So we will not ask you about what's going on with that. married woman. But what we will ask you about is how concerned you are at this stage. That was a tough second half. And if the story is overblown or as over talked about as it is now is like Ryan Tanna Hills on an island and he's not good enough to make a difference, man, it really does check out when you watch

these games. It's crazy. They had a 10-play span on offense where they turned it over three times. That's unbelievable. And they did this in the two games against Houston and New England, the two games before the Jacksonville game, where they just kept turning the ball over. Nine of them. Yes, nine and two games.

And it was like, is this a fluke? Kind of like, this, nobody can turn the ball over this much, but is it because all the offensive players, skill players are hurt? And now that it's happened three times in four games, it's like, yes, it's, I'm starting to think A.J. Brown is maybe, like, not just more valuable, but like, way more valuable to this offense than Derek Henry even is. Right, because they ran for 200. yards they did that against the Patriots too they ran the ball well a week ago they've run it fairly well

even without henry and yet oh my gosh their past coverage uh seems to be getting problem more problematic by the week but i mean 168 yards pittsburgh had in this game the steeler said i mean past protection i'm saying that ryan tanahill took serious abuse a week ago and the sacks are piling up and it's just like it's not it's why i don't take them seriously i mean they could win they could win a play playoff game because they're well-coached and things can happen, but you're not going to win three with that offensive line in that past protection. Aaron Brewer's the backup guard. He's kind of a swing guard, and he got worked in Roger Saffold's absence.

They did a pretty good job keeping T.J. Watt from making a lot of plays in the first half, but then in the second half, he was all over the place. So I don't know. And if you're curious how Titans fans are doing, and they're very upset because I had them at 12 in the power rankings this week, and, you know, they're probably not going to move up. One such user tweeted at me after the game, I hope you have the decency when you do your rankings to understand that this is not the Titans team.

Henry will be back. AJ back next week. All caps now. Please do not put Colts ahead of them. That would be. What does it matter to them so much? I mean, it's good for you. That would be unknowledgeable.

Stop doing these rankings as with bias. Be a pro. Your Colts better be ahead of them. That's your Zolak. I'm sorry. That's not you. If the Colts and Titans are playing in a neutral field this week, Colts minus seven, I would say. All right.

Gravedigger. Hang in there, buddy. Let's keep moving. Golf leans in. There's the snappy's back. Golf, looking, looking, throwing deep right side. Once Reynolds. Got him.

End zone. Touchdown. Detroit Lions. Oh, baby. What a dart. Goff to Reynolds who got the inside position on Byron Murphy and the lion. and the lions have found the end zone again. Oh, the bongos for the Motor City Kiddy Kits.

You have fun with your bongos. Khan, con, con, con, can. He still liked this lion's theme, Mark, like a week ago. And what a voice on Dan Miller. It is good to be hearing him with some regularity on the show. He's just good. WX, X, Y, T with the call. Jared Gough is Cliff Kingsbury's kryptonite.

the punching back QB. Let's face it. That's what he's become in the last couple of years. Lit up the Cardinals secondary for three touchdowns, including that 22-yard strike to Josh Reynolds. The Lions cruise to a 30 to 12 win over the Cardinals at Ford Field. Mark, your Cardinals had been unbeaten on the road. Your Cardinals have looked like the most balanced team in football. Your Cardinals are suddenly in some trouble here. Yeah, I think so. I mean, it raises some of the more esoteric questions that we had about teams like the Rams

when they went through a rough patch. It's like, oh, the Cardinals in primetime games, the lights are too bright. In playoff-clinching scenarios under Cliff Kingsbury, they're 0 for four at this point. This looked like one of those games where a good team gets on an airplane, travels somewhere, and you can tell within eight or nine minutes, this ain't happening for them. And sometimes you jump the gun with that feeling, but this never got into questionable territory. And we can get into the Cardinals part. but huge credit to Dan Campbell and the Lions.

I mean, this was a team that going in did not have DeAndre Swift. Jamal Williams was out with COVID. T.J. Hawkinson is out. They are playing with guys like Charles Harris on defense, who has been awesome as their first round pick. Josh Reynolds, though, has stepped up as a receiver. Guys like Craig Reynolds. Amon Ross St. Brown is really coming to his own here.

But if you look at the roster up and down, it's like, wait a minute, what? You get why the record is. But this is why the story's about the Cardinals. Like to the lines, it's like, that's really, they've showed a lot of positive signs the last few weeks. And Dan Campbell is such an upgrade, it seems, over in Matt Patricia, but to be as talent efficient as they are, to be as banged up as they are and to blow out the Cardinals, like I'm with you in that you can't overreact because like the Rams and so many other teams, there are times in a season where you go into a funk. I think that's where Arizona qualifies right now. I will say I am concerned about this Cardinal's season without DeAndre Hopkins because he has now gone at least till the NFC title game if they got that far. That was a report that came out today.

So he's not coming back. Is this a situation where their offense is going to just struggle to score points because they did the last two weeks? I want to see more because I feel like all these teams get this so-called Mulligan scenario. Maybe that's what this was. But I totally agree with you that DeAndre Hopkins, that his absence matters. They did not have Rodney Hudson. I think that was a factor today. Kyla Murray just misthroes.

They seem completely out of sync. They open with three straight punts. They basically at one point had a fourth down pass knocked down. It was in the red zone. It was the lion's first red zone stop all season. There was a terrible Murray interception where he was out of sync

with a miscommunication scenario with A.J. Green, which has happened a couple times this year. They just don't, they did not seem to me like the weld-oiled machine. it was really the defense, too, that got beaten up in this. I mean, Craig Reynolds, who is from the wilderness undrafted back and looks great two weeks in a row, ran through them. They dominated time of possession when it mattered early on, and they tired out Arizona by the end.

So, yeah, I think it's fair to be like whenever a team that we're talking about is the best team in football gets conked out this way, that's not good. It's not good. I mean, the lions, though, are not their record. I think that they tied the Steelers. They beat the Vikings, and they're getting better each week. That's why I wanted to start with them, because it's like they can get lost in the what's the problem with Arizona.

They made a problem for Arizona today, too. No, that's a fair point. I feel like they're more of a four or five-win team. You certainly would rather see the Giants on their schedule than them or many other teams with better records. That said, you're the Cardinals. You lose by 18, and the problems that they have are now becoming repeating problems. Number one, they have gotten pushed around in terms of their run defense,

and now you have the Colts coming to town. So we'll get into that game later a week. But that's been a problem. And then Hudson being out is huge, but their interior line in general has been a problem lately. And especially when you've got, you know, a shorter quarterback. That whole idea of Kyler Murray as the MVP. That is long gone.

Send that down the river. That's long gone. And Mark, during this game, it was, I remember I said one of my favorite or surprising moments of the season was watching him melt down when the Bengals were losing a couple weeks ago and was confused because he was mad about his take being wrong. It's a hot take apocalypse for Cessler right now. It's been a terrible week. Which is strange because if like we would all be having apocalypse

as if I could even remember what my hot takes were if. During this game, he said he muttered under his breath. You know that cutting sort of mutter where it could cut glass. Oh, I've heard it. I'm done rooting for any teams this year. And then there was multiple, I wrote it down multiple times, oh, God. There was, I think, oh, God, happened three times. And it was all Cardinals related.

So Cardinals fans, you got a man that has your back here in Marks. Well, I look at it's like, what I'm done with is pet teams. I think you said pet teams. I mean, it's like I grew up in a no pet household and I'm back in a no pet household. I'm not clinging to anyone or anything at this point. I'm just going to do the best I can from here to the end. That's good. All right.

Well, oh, we should say the Cardinals started 7 and 0, and now they've lost 4 of 7. And I know Patrick Claibon, one of our favorites, and a honorary hero. If you're listening, Pat, listen to this quote very closely from tight-end Zekertz. We can't let this thing spiral, momentum is real in the NFL good and bad it's coming from an NFL player from a champion it's

third and 12 from the Panthers 20 yard line snap Alan takes a look looks for digs now changes his direction fires straight down the middle it is caught in the end zone touchdown Buffalo Gabriel Davis touchdown bills a 20 yard strike from Josh Allen John Murphy WGR with the call The copy here, John Murphy, Eric Wood. Eric Wood, I assume, the color guy. He is, the former center. Yes, I thought for a second the man's name was John Murphy, Eric Wood.

That'd be a lot of names. But it kind of rolls off the tongue nicely. These people with multiple middle names. J.M.E.W. Settle down, please. Anyway, that was just J.M. I call Murf. Josh Allen threw three touchdown passes, including that hookup with Gabe Davis in the third quarter. The bill snapped a two-game skid with a 31-14 win.

over the moribund Carolina Panthers. The win combined with the New England lost moves, Buffalo, back within a game of the AFC East lead with a massive Week 16 showdown on the horizon, and we'll get to that. But Greg, we trusted Buffalo to handle Carolina and its broken offense, but how did the Brian Dayball attack look here?

They looked like they were working on the running game. It was almost like, okay, we get an early lead. Let's see what we can do by giving Devin Singletary 22 carries. And it was okay. It was fine. Like this was a game that he went 22 for 86 and a touchdown. So that's different than normal.

But almost every other aspect of this game. That's gorgeous for this offense. Right. That's a fair point. And they moved the ball when they absolutely needed to. It was a little closer, I think, than the score indicated. The yards for play were pretty close throughout. It was a 10-point game and the Panthers had the ball in the fourth quarter.

Like, it wasn't too crazy. But almost everything that you would expect to happen in this game, like, happened. It was Cam Newton, you know, the poor man's Josh Allen now. I used to, when Josh Allen came into the league, I called him the poor man's Cam Newton. Full circle. Time is a flat circle. And they really are similar, I think.

But Josh Allen is so much better, obviously now at throwing and running, I would say. But especially at throwing and he is approaching or passing as good as Cam Newton ever was in terms of just throwing the ball and making plays on his own that Josh Allen did enough and you got out of here with a pretty comfortable. A little bit deflating

if you're a Panthers fan I imagine because when Cam came back and all the excitement around that and it felt like he was going to kind of revitalize the whole operation and then kind of reality sets in. That Cam that you fell in love with that one MVP, he's gone

and the guy that's here parachuted into a very difficult situation not his playbook doesn't have the same skill set and I guess every time I saw highlights on Twitter was something like oh man the Panthers offense is terrible I saw so many of those things

they ran I mean like Cam he's been okay for fantasy he has more rushing touchdowns this year than like Alvin Camara and Aaron Jones like he has a rushing touchdown every week goes 15 for 71 but their passing game is terrible they passed it 42 times for a net of 124 yards

I mean they it's funny because Rule came in, and he said, we're just going to run like crazy. They actually ran for 151. They were down to scores for much of this game, so it was tough to stay committed to the running game. But they were pretty good at running, and they hit Josh Allen a lot. That is my number one concern with the Buffalo Bills. It is not their defense, and it is not their running game. It is just their offensive line in general, because when you combine a lack of a running game

with not being able to protect Allen, that's problematic. And he had to really earn his 210 and three today. He was hit a lot of times by this Panthers team. They've got the Pats up next. You know, every time I watch the Panthers, I feel like Matt Ruhl, his face on the sideline, is getting more and more agitated with the concept of life. That is just not, this star has fallen so far at this point

that the Cam is back stuff from a couple weeks ago. It feels like a strange dream from early autumn. It's going to be interesting and a lot of fun to watch the Bills and Pat's rematch. I feel like that's. I think for you, the best thing that could happen for you in the world would be the bills to drop a bomb on New England. And it would confirm kind of everything that you have been trumpeting about the Patriots of late. Did you hear my analysis of their performance on Saturday night? I came way impressed by them.

I was a dancing on their grave. I think it's a next level in this psych warfare that we have going on to use that space where they lost to praise them. Well, if that cat's a bellot. move, too. Praise them when you lose and hard on them when they win. Wow, that's interesting. I just wish that my favorite team is losers of 25 of 30 since week one last year.

So if I could find something to root for and be happy, okay, I guess it's rooting against the Patriots. But I just want to see how the bills react now three weeks after the events of that Monday. Because how much do you take from this game? I don't know. I got to see the offense how it looked, but it doesn't seem like it was locked and loaded.

again so it was fine it was what you expected i didn't change my view in either way it also was a very much a veteran team taking care of business as that's what we asked for this bills game though next week we said it how the division's not over patriots lose bills win this week now they're only one back uh if the bills could win next time out they uh they get four and two in the division then that comes down to like the patriots having to beat miami and getting the other tiebreaker And I'm not, at this point, I think the Patriots would have the edge. But it gives the bills a real chance to win the division. Well, the bills would have the Falcons and Jets to close the season.

So that is a dangerous matchup. There you go. Ricky, by the way, I just want to circle back. We had the lock of the Patriots that didn't work out for Mark. But you had locked against the Patriots. Does that, but do you get the lock sound or do you get the sad horn? No, because I locked the Colts technically. Right.

But didn't we standings-wise, weren't we thinking? that when you do the reverse lock, you should get credit for losing but be penalized for winning? Yeah, I don't know where we actually... So you took the L, I think, ultimately, didn't you? I definitely did. I definitely did. And the listeners were great letting me know on Twitter

that I lost, that I lost my streak. What do you think? What's our official ruling? Is she getting credit for wins or losses? It's very convoluted now, especially now. I think had she had the street continued, we'd be on to something. I think we're just in media, the low, the low part of media. I mean, I think it was like six in a row locking against the Patriots.

So either the winning streak ended or the losing streak. It's tough. I don't think, yeah, you can't get credit because some of those times, oh, wait, they were always locked against. You're getting credit for a win when the Patriots were like out of the number range, for instance. So that also would be confused. She was fearing towards like purity in terms of defeat. It's very mine, mine. And you had a lockoff win over Mark, but was it really?

It was kind of a lockoff law. I mean, you're kind of operating on a different level than the rest of us right now. We're just trying to play catch up. Yeah, it's tough. To be fair, she only switched to that strategy because she was in a hole. I mean, Greg, you don't need to exacerbate the situation. We don't need it, Greg, I'm just saying. We don't need your-like-week-toe.

Your man spreading, okay? We don't need this toxic masculinity. Ricky's just doing her best here. I mean, I'm not. I'm right there near the bottom. Hey, we got your back, Rick. Thanks. All right, we got to take a break, right?

All right, then we'll be back. What's up, everybody? Daniel Jeremiah here. And I'm Bucky Brooks. On Move the Sticks, we take you inside the game from scouting reports and player development to team building philosophies, coaching trends, and how front offices construct winning rosters. Every week, we study the tape, talk to decision makers, and share the insights you won't find

anywhere else. It's the kind of conversation that connects the dots, from college football prospects to the NFL stars of tomorrow. We break down the draft. analyze matchups and evaluate how teams put it all together on game day. Plus, we dig in the coaching strategies, roster construction, and the trends that shape the league year after year. Whether you're a diehard fan or just love understanding the game on a deeper level, we give you the full picture. If you want insight that goes beyond the box score, this podcast is for you.

Don't miss it. Listen to the Move the Six podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, this is Matt Jones. I'm Drew Franklin. And this is NFL Cover Zero. We're just here to try to give you an NFL perspective a little bit different. Did you see the Colts Pretzel? That was my other big takeaway from that game. What was that?

Oh, my. We think NFL coverage should be informative and entertaining. And twice a week, that is exactly what you're going to get. Listen NFL Cover Zero with Matt Jones and Drew Franklin on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Toyota, the official automotive partner of the NFL. Visit Toyota.com slash NFL now to learn more. I'm Marcus Grant.

And I'm Michael Flaureo, and together we host the NFL fantasy football podcast. Ready to dominate your fantasy league this season? Then you need the NFL fantasy football podcast, your ultimate source for player news, draft tips, and winning strategies. Whether you're a rookie manager or a fantasy vet, We've got the insight to help you crush your opponents. Listen to the NFL Fantasy Football podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Toyota, the official automotive partner of the NFL.

Visit Toyota.com slash NFL now to learn more. The Bengals don't huddle. They snap it to Burrow. Throws down field for a wide open boy. Catches at the 30. Great jump cut. Back toward the middle of the field and the 10. The five.

Touchdown. Bengals, a 56-yard answer. Joe Burrow to Tyler Boyd. And the Bengals are back in front. That's me doing color commentary. Nice. Nice. Looks good.

That reminds you a guy I used to work with. His response to anything was just, oh, nice. It's good if you get paid for it. That was Dan Horde and Dave Lapham. WKC.Y. Thank God this game had that. because there wasn't much else to get juiced up about Joe Burrow and the Bengals offense was silent on Sunday in Denver.

That is until Burrow connected with Taj Boyd, nice, on the 56-yard touchdown that allowed Sinci to escape. Ricky, can we isolate that nice for future Bengals talk? Escape Town with a 1510 win over the Broncos. Greg, it's hard to feel like we could trust the Bengals even after this win, but I mean, this is a first place team. Sure. And that's good. Go get a win. it doesn't really impact how they're going to play next week.

But I don't want to hear that this is some sort of great Zach Taylor moments. I mean, they had 12 first downs and 249 yards in this game. You got the job done. The defense made it stops against Drew Locke when they needed to. Teddy Bridgewater left this game. Scary. Yeah, with a really scary hit. Body wasn't moving, but they did say he had a feeling in his extremities

and it was a concussion, or they were checking for a concussion, and he was in the hospital being checked at. So the Bengals got it done, but my focus here is, you know, as it often is on game management. Vic Fangio is terrible at it. Broncos fans know, you know, sometimes like we can get lost in the game management, and that's not the most important thing. And in this game, we're so little happen.

Give Joe Burrow credit. Makes a nice third and ten play on their last offensive drive. under pressure, getting hit to Tyler Boyd, great job, you know, kept the jet drive going. He made a couple clutch plays, okay. Fongio blew six points, a six-point swing at the end of the first half, and then totally mismanaged the clock. Not that Drew Locke was probably going to do it at the end, but they could have had two minutes for Drew Locke at the end of the game, and instead, he just wasted 40 seconds

and the sequence at the end of the first half where he ended up allowing the Bengals to get three points instead of being aggressive and getting the three points. I could really break it down play by play if you guys want, but I don't think you want to hear it. It's like, it's just annoying. I like knowing that you could if you wanted to. That shows me that you're locked in on this game. Like they were so, they were setting up. He's doing it.

Okay, they were setting up for a long field goal at the end of the first half. They were not trying to move the ball down the field. A guy goes out of bound with 17 seconds. For some reason, Fonjo takes a time out even though the guy was out of bounds. And instead of doing whatever they could, which they easily could of it, was the third and one to make sure if you were going to be conservative to bleed the clock out, that they throw a pass, they don't get it, they end up kicking a long field goal.

Then they play this terrible, like way too safe defensive coverage, which just let Joe Burrow get 20 yards to kick their own field goal. That was a six-point swing, and the whole drive leading up to that was mismanaged, and me and Broncos' Twitter were first guessing as it was happening. So that's like a little six-point swing in such a close game. And then at the end, he took this time out before the two-minute warning where if you are a guy who plays Madden or whatever, you just knew that Fongio or a girl or a girl, like wasted 40 seconds. Like he could have had 40 seconds more. And the Broncos, if you're going to be a defensive team, I've been ranting too long, but if you're going to be a defensive team that is trying to play in these types of games.

And I think Fengio's finally has the defense he wants playing. Then you've got to be able to win on the margins like that. And he's terrible at that stuff. Here's my question, because we're nearing the end of year three with Vic Fongio, and I think we get what he brings defensively, and he's unique and on that front. I mean, Brandon Staley loves him for multiple reasons. Why isn't there someone else, like, well, I'm wondering, just is there someone in the ear of Fongio or in general saying, this is not your skill set, we'll take over these decisions.

Why is Fongio making these decisions when he's been proven to be an utterly subpar time game management? The game's moving fast. I don't know. Either he hasn't put someone in position to help. It feels like in 2021. It's sure how they approach that drive. It's Teddy a little bit too in terms of how lackadaisical it was. But it almost felt like that's how they were coaching it.

But it was more the use of the play calling when there was 17 seconds, too, to throw a pass there, not like foreseeing exactly what happened. And it honestly felt like whoever's winning 6'3 at halftime is going to win this game because there's so little offense. Every once a while on the show, you have a summertime take that you get locked into. You end up saying it repeatedly and then it becomes a thing and then the fans get on you repeatedly.

And me being against Drew Locke was something that brought much derision from Denver. What do they call themselves? Broncos Nation. I don't know. Do they have a thing? I'm sure some use that term. The Broncos wagon. They killed me on Twitter for weeks.

And then I just, we fast forward to the present and Drew Locke is not the guy last off season. West pushed back for you a little bit. He wanted to give Drewlock a chance a little bit. That last drive, I'll just go through it. First and 10 of the Denver 25, down 5.64 seconds on the clock. Incomplete pass holding. So now it is first in 20 from the Denver 15.

But that incomplete pass, I know there was a penalty, but it could have been intercepted. We should throw that in. Then Drewlock passed incomplete short middle to Jerry Judy. Also could have been intercepted. That's the Mike Hilton one, right? Now it's second and 20 from the Denver 15. Drewlock sacked for minus nine yards. Now it's third in 29 at the Denver 6.

drew lock short pass right to jerry judy pushed out of bounds nine yard gain penalty on Cincinnati offside so it's third and 24 drew lock throws into coverage jerry judy incomplete fourth and 24 drew lock throws it 27 yards out of bounds game over i just want one of the drew lock people that are broncos fans to come to my twitter feed and say you know what respectfully i apologize for all the mean things i said you were right about drewlock just one of you can speak for the entire Broncos wedding. That would be a next level step by them. I mean, I think we lost some Drewlock people when he appeared earlier in the season

was a total disaster, too. Yeah, it's like all the, you know, Teddy had one of his worst games of the season before going out to injury, unfortunately. But we've seen what happens when Teddy leaves. They would not be seven and seven. They would be four in ten. But in the end, I don't know if there's much of a difference other than they're going to have a worst draft pick because they needed this game.

We got to keep moving zone. I don't want to get into the Teddy Culture Wars. But if they had someone better than Teddy, they'd probably be 10 and 4, and we wouldn't be talking about it. No, I'm not standing. Well, yeah, but how do you find someone better? It's like Aaron Rogers is someone better. We know.

You know, it's like, who are they going to get? We don't need to. Let's move on. Empty back. Two-up. We got it for a touchdown. 101, Devonte Parker on a post pattern gets inside for the touchdown. That was Jimmy Seffel.

WQAM, Devante Parker caught an 11-yard touchdown pass from Tua, Tungabailoa, with 337 to play. The Dolphins extend their winning streak to six games by topping the Jets, 3124 at Hard Rock. Duke Johnson, that's your boy, Mark. He ran for 107 yards and two touchdowns, and the defense held the Jets to three first downs in the second half. That's good. Kind of my boy. As Miami continue to feast on its ridiculously soft schedule. Weird game. Tua was miserable at the onset.

It was like him and Zach Wilson had been in some type of body switch comedy. He threw interception. He threw another couple balls up for grabs. He had a fumble and the Jets weren't able to really push it, take it to him, but they were up. 10-0, the Jets in this game. They had a lead for the first time at halftime. But Tua got things back on track. the dolphins took control of the game, both in the trenches and with Tua making some nice passes downfield.

They get the game under control. They go from down 177 to up 2417, and then Tua makes another terrible mistake, throws a pick six that ties the game up. And yet you never felt in the fourth quarter, even 24, 24, 24, that the dolphins were in any real danger. Because the Jets offense, after a promising start completely went to bed. Miami's defense took complete control of the game. and to to his credit, in an up and down day, he did lead them down the field for that go-ahead score, cut to fourth and 11,

fourth and 10 for the Jets on the last possession of the game. And Zach Wilson throws a nine-yard pass short of the sticks, and that's how it ends. So the Dolphins become the second team in NFL history to get to seven at seven after starting at one in seven. Wow. And we will see if this ends with a playoff berth, but I guess I still want to see it against some real competition,

but they deserve a ton of credit because that's not an easy thing to do. What happened with the Jets? Like this happened twice now in the last three weeks where Zach Wilson, everyone is loving what he did in the first half. Like they come out pretty fast, but then I saw 54 yards, only three first downs in the second half. It seems like a trend with him that he has put together like half games. Like you look at the numbers, they're not terrible in this game,

but then it didn't stay. Yeah, the first couple of drives, he was on target. he was going through his progressions and then I have to say the offensive line got completely destroyed in the last I'd say two and a half quarters of the game and put him in a bad spot he was running for his life a lot so I don't know how much to put on Wilson but I will say that it might be a coaching situation I thought Michael Flore had a really it's not it's not him I thought Michael Flore had a really interesting fun first half It was like a kitchen sink thing where he had all these trick plays

he was emptying out and some of them were working and then a switch got flipped for the dolphins and Brian Flores with that defense and they just absolutely dominated from that point. So yeah, I can't really make sense of it

other to say that I think LaFlor had a good game plan early but wasn't able to adjust once Miami did. Miami's in the wrong conference because you win six games in the NFC it's like punch my playoff ticket but despite winning all these games

They're still only 11th in the conference, and yes, they're only one game back, and they can certainly make it if they win out. But that's probably what it'll take, and they're at New Orleans, not a gimmy, at Tennessee and New England. So you've been waiting, Dan, to kind of see them against better teams. I think, like, their pass rush is something that will travel. It's legit. It took a little while to get going, but the coaching and the players combined, like, week after week, they are just mauling people up front.

But I'm curious, as you are, to see how Tua and the offense, who didn't have Jalen Waddle today, will look against them better defenses, and they're about to play pretty good defense. I mean, they gave up 55 points over five games before coming into this. And I know the schedule is what it is, but their defense was legitimate last year under Brian Flores. It is again. I'm with you, Dan, though, that there aren't a lot of things to point to and say, the ceiling is here the way we look at the Colts or something. The schedule set, even, you know, they're out of this insanely soft portion now.

but you say they're in the wrong conference. Well, they got the Jets twice and the Texans once in the six-game stretch. And then out-of-conference games included the Giants and Panthers, two of the very worst teams. I just mean, like, seven and the NFC, you're in right now. And in the AFC, you're buried at 12th. The Saints or Titans the next two weeks are bad matchups for them. I don't. So I think they have a chance to really sneak into the playoffs.

They don't like their chances once they got to postseason play. but, man, it's been set up nice. Why was Duke Johnson, by the way, on the street? 23 for 147. This guy can always play on third downs. I'm not saying he's like the best player ever, but like receptions from running back since he's entered the league. He's in like the top three players in the NFL.

There must be something else going on. He's always had those numbers that like he, that project him to be more than he is, frankly. That's all. Just to be a guy. He does live in this. I saw live in the same, I believe, like a apartment complex. type of thing as Tua Tungavilo, which gets to one of my favorite Adam Levitton theories,

which is like the neighbor theory. He does a little thing. He has like the shower narrative. Like if guys showered together in college, they always have nice big fantasy numbers together. But also the neighbor. Nice big fantasies. Yeah, the neighbor narrative. If like the, because Tua was saying how they see each other, you know, kind of like going out to get water, pick up the mail.

I'd like to hear more from Adam Levaton on his various theories. That's intriguing to me. All right, let's check in with the other Moribund in New York franchise. Second and goal at the one. McEwen, it's New Jersey, don't you forget it? Play fake. Prescott looks right, looks left.

Throws it in the end zone, caught. Touchdown to Dalton Schultz. Brad Sham, the Sham God. KRLD with the call. Drew, Dak Prescott threw just one touchdown pass that going to Dalton Schultz. But that was enough.

for the Cowboys, who rode their defense to a 21-6 win over the who exists mostly in theory at this point. The Cowboys defense forced four turnovers for the third straight game. But Greg, how'd you feel about this perplexing offense? Same. This was the ultimate just repeat of their last four weeks. It's like, remember, it felt like the Chiefs were in the same game every week for that month. That's the Cowboys.

To Marcus Lawrence and Dak Prescott, made a bet of some sort maybe it was just sort of an honor because they're not officially allowed that the defense would force more turnovers than the Cowboys' offense scored touchdowns and DeMarcus Lawrence won.

Largely because of DeMarcus Lawrence, who was an absolute beast. Maybe that's the slightly newest narrative out of this. He's been good the last few weeks since returning, but he absolutely took over this game for a big chunk of it and just if he's peaking and Parsons is peeking, that's crazy.

Trayvon Diggs had his 10th interception. Gregory had a big return last week. They have so many pieces on defense that I just struggle. I don't know if it's just because we were so used to looking at the Cowboys as this like offense first juggernaut. Like I'm struggling cognitively to kind of make this process that they're now going to make a playoff run on the backs of their defense. Is that just where we're going now? Well, I think that wanting any of these teams just to ride their defense to the Super Bowl, I mean, that feels tricky. because when their offense was special, it felt totally unstoppable.

And it may be just what it is at this point. Well, they're like, they really are just like the Chiefs, I think, earlier in the year. And I think they're just glad to be banking wins while they're struggling offensively. And they almost have to know that their offense has to be a lot better for them to go where they want. They are 10 and 4. And that's pretty amazing. If you think back to the beginning of the season, we do not expect them to be 10 and 4. Much less with Dak Prescott struggling this, but 40.

one dropbacks against this Giants defense, which is like, no great shakes. 202 net yards. You bring it back no great shakes. It's back, baby. They didn't have a play over 20 yards. The Giants with Mike Lennon, who had 99 yards passing in three interceptions,

and then Jake Fromm, who came into the game late, actually had more yards per play than the Dallas Cowboys in this game. And that's just weird. Cowboys ran the ball well. So that narrative, forget about that. It was all about their passing game. Zeke said he was feeling healthier going into this game. Did he look a little better?

He went 16 for 52. He looked fine. Lamb dropped two or three passes, which would have helped. But Cooper had five targets for eight yards. It's just not there right now. So now, yeah, we have the, they are the mirror version, I guess, of Kansas City or at least before the last couple of weeks. And that's, I don't know, that's slightly underwhelming as a football fan.

I like the Cowboys when they were to shoot it out. offense but this works too i guess they're going to win the division they're not going to you know philadelphia is not going to catch up with them so if you look at the cowboy schedule you know it's all in the division and it's they're not out of it for the one seat as crazy as it is because they're going to be favorites in their next three games and and if they could get a little help from from green bay and tampa who knows the offense has to figure it out lock to get taken out in january oh definitely wait i thought you were giving up on take Absolutely, they will lose in the playoffs.

Okay, well, that's... It's not that bold. Yeah, I'm not even suggesting it's bold. That's true of every team except for one. I was wrong. It's not all in the division. They do play the Cardinals in Week 17. Wow, this Cardinals scheduled down the stretch

really sets up for them to kind of be in the crosshairs. Uh-oh. All right, let us now move to the 49ers. We're looking to keep their momentum going. 40 seconds to go. Moving in motion, Jeff Wilson, Jr. It's a handoff to Debo out of the Deadpool. It's wide left.

Touchdown! San Francisco. I love it. Greg Papa. Yeah, Papa. K&B.R. with the call. Jimmy Guarapolo threw for 235 yards in a TD. It's a very Jimmy Garoppolo line. And San Francisco ran for three more scores,

including yet another Debo Samuel Scamper that you heard there. Niners won for the fifth time in six games, beating the Falcons 31-13. Mark, nice take-care of business win over a fraud. Falkans operation. Yeah, you said it felt like what we've seen from Debo, and it felt like what we've seen from the Niners during this hot streak that they're on.

A little bit of a slow start. Then they scored on five straight drives, including four straight touchdown drives. And the difference here early on was their defense. Nick Bosa was awesome in this game. Left for a little bit with a presumed concussion, but came back in. They shut down the Falcons three times

inside of San Francisco's 10-yard line. They also recovered a fumble at one point. They just, to me, this was what you look at with the Niners and say, you can project them as a playoff team and feel comfortable with what they are. George Kittle had a George Kittle game. Debo Samuel did what he did. And Jimmy G., when you get a game like this where he's not turning the ball over

and turning Kyle Shanahan's face beat red, you're fine. I mean, the Falcons, we know that they came into this with the last in-team DVOA, a little bit suspect, not their record. They looked like it today. They couldn't protect Matt Ryan. They couldn't get anything done. You've been pretty steady. I know they got lucky last week against the Bengals somewhat,

but they are five and one in their last six, you know, with some pretty good wins in there. Rams, Bengals, you stomp out the Balkans, which is what you're supposed to do, but I hate that term, like the team you don't want to play in the playoffs. But they certainly feel like a team that could win. They deserve a seat at the table, absolutely. But they also feel like a team that could compete or beat any.

team in the NFC. They were the, like, I would want to get away from them and get to whoever is taking that seven seed. This is what I want in a wildcard team. You know, they're frisky. They can get hot. They have some exciting players, make that first weekend as fun as possible. Mark, because I have a buy in my fantasy playoffs, I didn't have to struggle through a

falcons game looking at Kyle Pitts is an inevitable march to four for 38. Where did he finish this week? Four for 77. Ooh, 77? Yeah. You got a big play, like a 50-yard or so. Okay. No touchdown, though.

No touchdown. I was monitoring this. Debo is back at a wide receiver, four-for-60 as a wide-out. That's good. Mark called for that, and rightfully so on Friday, on the broadcast on Saturday. Which, by the way, the around the NFL broadcast, there's some pop going on right now. There's some heat, both behind the scenes and in the Twitterverse. People are into the show. They love the rebranding of it.

They think that it's really, it's captured the spirit of the podcast, hasn't it, Greg? I think it's captured the spirit of America. At this time when Omicron is just going across the country, people are wondering where can they turn to? Well, they know on Saturday mornings at 4 a.m. Pacific, check us out. We're there for you. We will be there for you. Probably.

At that time. We are here for you guys. They might take us out of the studio. They've been good shows. They've been fun. They're different than the podcast, but they're like the podcast. Yes. Somehow at the same time.

Check it out. Yes. Every Saturday. and you could also check it out on GamePass. And Ricky, right, people have access to it on YouTube as well? That's right. It streams live on YouTube and then stays up on the main NFL YouTube. And how do they find it?

Just type in what? Yeah, if you go to the main NFL YouTube page, it'll pop up as like being streaming live. I think it's 10 a.m. Pacific, which is 1 p.m. Eastern. Eastern and then 8. 6, 5. All are blokees and blocettes out in the UK and beyond. They put it up pretty soon after that.

Have a pint and enjoy the show on a Friday. That sounds nice. For sure. All right. Let us take a break and then we will wrap this thing up. Bloquettes. It doesn't work. What is it?

It's blokes and... Well, I don't know what they would... You're saying what is a female version of bloke? Yeah, in the UK and surrounding territories. Well, I don't... I'm not going to say that I know. You have that territory. I was like four years old when I live there.

Yeah, but it made, I mean, it's clearly made such a huge impression. Ricky, while we dig into this awesome Houston Jacks game, if you were a gravedigger could find the female expression for bloke over there. That would be great. Maybe a bird. Is it like a, I'm not saying that's what you should. Like a Brenda or something? No, that's Australian.

Sheila, you're thinking of Australia. Shella. Bird would be it. It is Sheila, actually. But that's also British as though they'll be Australia. Down the yellow brick road. Or alas. Alas.

North England. I don't know what. Maybe these are, you know, out of touch, who knows. All right, let's hit the game that everybody's been waiting for. What's up, everybody? Daniel Jeremiah here. And I'm Bucky Brooks. On Move the Sticks, we take you inside the game from scouting reports and player development

to team-building philosophies, coaching trends, and how front offices construct winning rosters. Every week, we study the tape, talk to decision-makers, and share the insights you won't find anywhere else. It's the kind of conversation that connects the dots from college football, prospects to the NFL stars of tomorrow. We break down the draft, analyze matchups, and evaluate how teams put it all together on game day. Plus, we dig in the coaching strategies, roster construction, and the trends that shape the league year after year.

Whether you're a diehard fan or just love understanding the game on a deeper level, we give you the full picture. If you want insight that goes beyond the box score, this podcast is for you. Don't miss it. Listen to the Move the Six podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or we're wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, this is Matt Jones. I'm Drew Franklin.

And this is NFL Cover Zero. We're just here to try to give you an NFL perspective a little bit different. Did you see the Colts Pretzel? That was my other big takeaway from that game. What was that? Oh, my. We think NFL coverage should be informative and entertaining. And twice a week, that is exactly what you're going to get.

Listen to NFL Cover Zero with Matt Jones and Drew Franklin. on the I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Toyota, the official automotive partner of the NFL. Visit Toyota.com slash NFL now to learn more. I'm Marcus Grant. And I'm Michael Florio, and together we host the NFL Fantasy Football Podcast. Ready to dominate your fantasy league this season? Then you need the NFL Fantasy Football Podcast,

your ultimate source for player news, draft tips, and winning strategies. Whether you're a rookie manager or a fantasy vet. We've got the insight to help you crush your opponents. Listen to the NFL Fantasy Football podcast on the IHeart Radio app,

Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Toyota, the official automotive partner of the NFL. Visit Toyota.com slash NFL now to learn more. Third down and nine. We're going to get a million tweets about that, so some regrets, but we're going to, Don't tag me. Has the first Adamor, 30, 25, 20, 15, 10, 5, rock and roll.

Touchdown, Houston, Brandon Cooks to the house. Something about that rock and roll one. It's like a play-by-play guy from 1987. I like it. It's kind of throwback. Mark Vandemere with a call K-I-L-T. If only the Texans could play the Jaguars every week. David Cully's team completed the season sweep of its division rival with a 30-16 win.

at the big chlorine tank in Duvall. It was the Jack's first game without the deposed, Urban Meyer, proving definitively he was not the problem in Jacksonville and should see every penny of the five-year deal he signed with the team. That's business. That is business. Mark, everything I said is correct, yes? Yeah, I mean, I'd go so far as to huddle if your team ownership, team brass, to say he's not the problem.

Maybe we bring him back, via culpa, and start this over. fired with cause how about cause for apology the results that we saw today in jackson yeah i mean it might have helped today um you know this is the rare game quick on this one mark huh quick on this one i'll be quick if you'd like how quick do you want me to be i don't know how about a little like 30 seconds synops how about a little love for brandon cooks who's you know been it's sort of been a hostage scenario for him in houston but a hundred yard game today uh he's been kind of very good he's been there dude week after week davis mills who started last week 14 for open 13 for 15 today.

So I'm telling you, like, I don't know. Obviously, they're going to have bigger plans, and they could have a whole new coaching staff after this season. Their GM gave, like, a vote of no confidence a couple weeks ago. So TBD. But Davis Mills gives you a lot to think about in terms of not a lot. Does he? He gives you something to think about because he's not been a disaster.

I mean, I think it's, you found your solid number two. But that's not the worst thing to have. He's been okay. He's been okay, but it's like he's been as, I mean, just in terms of his performance. performance, he's been as good or better than Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson. There's no question. Yeah? I don't think the degree of difficulty with what they're having them do merits some of these 14-for-14 starts.

They let him throw only up a touchdown on third and log late in that game. He heard the buzzer, right? All right. People were surprised. It was almost like the coaches were a little surprised because it got a little rainy during the game. I kept denying it. It was a rainstorm during the game, but you might have known a little earlier in the week. that it was going to raid all over Jacksonville

because the Houston, Texans, don't disrespect them as big-time underdog. The rainmaker brings the rain. How do we not have the graphic out? Ricky, where's the rainmaker? We don't need that horrific graphic. Did he tell you not to use it? No, I didn't say anything.

We're back here again. Hey, Mark, you got to give it up. When the Rainmaker brings the precipitation. He delivered. If you want to, and by the way, I threw another one out, during that show, and that was the bills covering, which also came here. I asked Ricki to check the file on that, and you weren't clear, really. You were a little bit like...

Oh, give it to the Rainmaker. You said Bill's by 40, and you were like... Well, I said the bills to cover. That's Bill's Covering. Okay, we're just trying to parse the language of the Rainmaker, but that, okay, that makes sense. It's just Rainmaker Lexicon. They barely did. It came down to the last play, but that's two and O.

That's a nice moment. Another one got moved, but the Texans was the one I really felt in my heart. Everyone got all cute with like, oh, Urban Meyer's gone. That's worth points. Not so much when you're going against Davis Mills. You actually said that about what was a fact. Like the spread moved. Do you know a part of this Pat McAfee Empire that's been built has been built on the back of him getting very involved with the sports betting and his listeners cashing in on the McAfee predictions?

We could get our listeners rich off the Rainmaker. This is not what we want to be. I thought we attempted that last time. Right. We are not. Well, the Rainmaker hit an unfortunate. drought, if you recall, and that's what led to the end of the Rainmaker, but if he's

on a hot streak, if he's on a heater? Well, the key for all these is there's no accountability. You only talk about it when you win when you win. Pay for Christmas. Get behind the Rainmaker right now because he is on a heater. Right. What happened last time was a couple of families were put out on the street during Christmas because they did what you're asking. Exactly.

I don't want anyone. And did Greg lift a finger to help anyone? No. It's just like, you know, then it's you're an adult. You're making your own decision. Although we got the Eagles coming up. It's a worst case, two and one. But, yeah, got the Eagles coming up. But this was the one that it was near and dear to my heart.

Well, you're saying you're going to walk away from the Rainmaker? Well, we'll see if any. It's catching fire. I don't think you can. If any, you know, feel, if I feel this was one of my favorite of the year, heavy underdogs to the worst offense. Mark said it one of the worst offense he's seen in about five years. That's true.

I said since 1986. Right. Getting rid of Urban Meyer doesn't, doesn't, doesn't, solve that in one week. How about an act of, like, altruism? Just you want to help our listeners pay for races, college, prep school, Christmas. Have you seen my Lox record? I don't feel confident enough.

Yeah, but this is different. This is a special skill of yours. It's a special talent. What are some other things we could be paying for? Leisure. Leisure. Next level leisure. Night at the pub.

Multiple nights at a pub. staying upstairs in a bedroom vacation maybe like a new outfit because when you look good you feel good and when you feel good you play good i mean you could someone like you know the grave digger has extra expenses that are cropping up you could pay for those types of extra expenses well we don't talk about though i said it in a roundabout way yeah but we he had he had asked respectfully erika has expenses that i don't even know how to drill down to but i'm sure that they're that you have a lot of lush hobbies what is that that cost money that I don't know.

He pivoted to you. That was a weird little moment. I'm just listing things that might cost money. But congratulations, Raymaker, because you're feeling it and you're lighting up the wallets and purses of all the bloke's and lasses across the way. All right, Sunday night football. Oh, Sunday night. Third and ten, four-down territory, of course. Randy Pressure escapes.

And throws him everybody's intercepted. Gardner Johnson cuts underneath. They've turned Brady over twice. Eight interceptions in these regular season matchups the last two years with the Saints. And the New Orleans Saints are knocking on the door of a headline grabbing win in Tampa against the Japs. Mike Tariko, who by the way could not have set this conversation up any better. He just does that on the cuff, off the cuff. He just nailed it.

And as his partner, Chris Collins, soon followed up with nobody likes sticking out their tongue more than CJ Gardner Johnson which was kind of a weird take anyway speaking of weird

Saints 9 Buccaneer Zero that was the final score of Sunday night football in Tampa the Saints shut out a Bucks team that was besieged by injuries to Chris Godwin to Mike Evans both exited the game

with injuries, knee, and hamstring to Leonard Fournett to a hamstring. And what was left was not nearly good enough when Tom Brady is trying to target Tyler Johnson and Scotty Miller. It just wasn't playing boys. And then you give it to Kishon Vaughn, who can't do anything, the former third round pick, added all up. And it was one of the more frustrating nights of Tom Brady's career, at least in the regular season.

It was, and it was like a moment that I'm glad this Saints defense and the Saints team had. And maybe we'll continue to have over the next few weeks. We talked about the 49ers are like that team you want to see maybe in the sick. How about the Saints as like the seven seed that really isn't going to make any noise, but it's fun. I get a two lane guy, but. Okay, here's have four seven seeds and have them all play off. Okay, we say we want diversity. This Saints defense to see them have a nice.

like this, and I get it. The injuries are what they were for the Bucks. They were 3-0 against the Bucks with Tom Brady before these injuries. Those injuries didn't start until midway through the third quarter. They had stopped them four times at that point, too. So, yeah, maybe they don't hold them to zero. But Cam Jordan's getting after it early. Marcus Davenport, that's secondaries wild.

This stat, to me, explains why the Saints in some ways are like the 2,021 team more than any team. they are 4-0 right now against the teams as of right now that rank in the top four of current Super Bowl. They're coming for the Vikings in this conversation. They have played the teams that are the top four in current Super Bowl winning odds. They are 4-0 against those teams. They're 3 and 7 against everyone else.

There you go. Well, I mean, you know, and it does matter that there's no Sean Payton. I says a lot about to me. Does it? I don't know. Every time a head coach misses a game is team wins. I think they're like 7-0 in those situations. I did just that Sean Payton is a difference maker, but Dennis Allen did an incredible job this evening.

I mean, Cam Jordan stacked on the same side as Marcus Davenport caused total chaos. And I thought that the defensive backfield was super sticky. I'm with Greg. I mean, yes, I know the injuries occurred. I don't think it mattered. I mean, they made up for a Saints offense that had nine drives down the stretch that went for less than 20 yards. And most of those went for less than five yards. I mean, they were put back on the field over and over.

and this is a situation where it's like, we wanted to know, do they have Tom Brady's number? Do they have this offense's number? Yes. Had the injuries not occurred, would this have been maybe 10, 9, would they have lost? I don't know. I don't know. They got the job done.

I think it did matter. I mean, big time. It matters, but they were, of course, thumping them to start. Of course it matters. But the Saints fans and the Saints don't want to hear about injuries mattering. Like, this team has been decimated by injuries. throughout the course of the season, they had to keep playing. And even tonight, they didn't have either of their top two Pro Bowl tackles.

So I'm just saying, like... The tweet of the night was from Dat Boy Wolf. Here it is. His quote, I don't want to hear about Bucks injuries. Big we out here thrown past us to Amazon delivery drivers. Exactly. So they have absolutely... That was partly their own doing by drafting and developing...

Before the injuries. Delivery drivers. For the Bucks. Punt. Punt. punt, miss field goal, punt, punt. Then it started to happen. It's like it wasn't like there was any electricity early.

Okay, I hear that and the Saints deserve all the credit for their defense and how it played. But once you lost your top two wide receivers and you're missing Antonio Brown, so now you're missing your top three wide receivers and you're missing Leonard Fournette who has been sneaky, the most important part of that offense this year besides Tom Brady. And you take all those guys out of the mix when it became time for the Tom Brady to do magical Tom Brady stuff, it just felt completely impossible because he turned it to Ryan Tannehill. And Brady, obviously, a superior player to Tannahill, but once again, it shows you when you take a quarterback, no matter how good he is, and you take away all his weapons, an offense is going

to suffer, especially against a good defense like New Orleans, who really got after him. Right. They didn't, the Bucks offensive line, which has been so good all year, Brady's barely been touched, did not win that battle. They came out wanting to throw it. When everyone was healthy, They threw 11 straight times to start the game. And he was getting hit then. And he wasn't getting enough first downs then. He had that interception, you know, late, of course. He had the fumble when they were in position for a field goal.

I mean, they could have scored points here. They missed the field goal. They had a two-minute drive at the end of the first half that also got stymied. They threw it to Rob Grunkowski. Brady did 11 times. Gronk is having an amazing season, but he's nice as a compliment. He had two catches out of that. those 11 targets and at least three drops, where he could have either come away with the ball

or he wasn't paying attention on one that was in his bread basket, would have put him on a first goal in the two. That was a huge miss. Like they also did not come through in some key moments. And it's a massive win because I think the Saints now really have a real chance, a good chance, to go get that seven seed, which I didn't totally see coming into this game. And Tom Brady's MVP case, and more importantly, Tampa's chances to get the one seed, take a big hit.

They're not done yet, but they take a big hit. I mean, everyone's MVP campaign seems to take a big hit the minute we start to mention. Not Aaron Rogers. He's played awesome for four. He's in the driver's seat now. He's in the driver's seat. Him and Taylor and Brady. Remember after week one with Aaron Rogers?

Like, we were, you know, what's happened to this human being? He's not the same guy. I mean, I'm impressed with a Saints defense that has to mask over an offense that was also without both of its tackles, an offense that had 12 plays and 14 yards in the third quarter. I mean, that can break a defense. We have to keep going back out there over and over. They absolutely play with no fear against Brady. I mean, they're up in his face, and it's the one team.

I think Dennis Allen has done a better job coaching against Tom Brady than any coordinator in the league of the last couple of years. There's no doubt. I see Dan not liking this. I don't want to be the devil's advocate on this one, but somebody has to say that Taysom Hill can't really play. No, he can't. So that's a problem. And as much as we want to see, some of us want to see the Saints in the playoffs, I have, from what I've seen personally in these, what is it, four starts now is a guy

who's exactly suited to where he was previously in his career as a gadget player. And when you put him out there as the quarterback, it's just not, it's not happening. His, his, the people around him and the offensive line matters, of course. But if you're asking him to win big games in December and January, I just don't see it. That's true. I mean, they scored nine points. Now, they're going to play the Dolphins, Panthers, and Falcons. None of those are Ws, you know, automatically.

That Dolphins games on Monday night. None of those are L's. That's just who the Saints team is. But I think with Hill, especially if they can get the offensive line healthy again, I think he makes sense just for the style of play that they have. And no quarterback would be succeeding. They clearly just went into this season. with a huge mistake without getting enough pass catchers.

I mean, they just don't have guys who can make a play. Nick Venet, make a play. Troutman, make a play. I thought Hill in the first half of this game threw the ball pretty well, you know? Get in sync with Alvin Camaro. I would help. The Michael Thomas situation played out. That was a huge setback for this season as well.

I agree with you on that. Mark, final word to you on this Sunday night masterpiece. What would you like me to say? I don't know. I've got to find out. I totally. I know Greg has one. Greg always has one in the chamber,

but I was wondering maybe Mark has one in the chamber. I absolutely come away from this game. Certain about. I know Sean Payton wasn't there, but he was my coach of the year guy for so long, and I just think that they're one of the best run teams out there. And to do this three times, four times to Tom Brady in a couple of seasons, is pretty impressive.

I agree. It has a little something special sauce. You can't measure when you watch just the energy. But that's not my last one. My last one, Greg has two final thoughts. And then he's going to have a third and a fourth. The best actor award for the 2021 season goes to Bruce Ariens over the last three weeks when he kept answering questions about Antonio Brown and said,

well, we're not sure yet. We haven't made that call. You made that call well before you saw your receivers go down tonight. There was confirmed now that he will be coming back on the team, Antonio Brown. But there was no situation where they were ever getting rid of this guy. And tonight was a reminder of why. Well, especially now. And also he's acting because also it's not his decision.

It's Tommy's decision. Tell me, boy. Right. Tom and he have a bunk bed in Tom's bedroom where Tom Brady sleeps on the top bunk and Antonio Brown sleeps on the bottom bunk. It's the size of the bunk beds that my son's Jack and Harry share. Sure. It's the only bunk bed size they sell.

Their legs hang over the end and they just talk each other to sleep and tell stories and giggle. And then eventually, guys, that's enough. We don't want you cranky in the morning. Come on now. Who's saying that? mom and dad okay i'm struggling to figure out who the mom and dad is in tom brady's house but fair enough think about it i'm gonna okay that gives you something to think about all right

we're uh we're done um final thoughts go wrong get me out of here um that is the week well it's not even full obviously we got four more games this is a different week obviously it's christmas week and uh that's fun and we love that but it's also football week in a big spot so We had one game Saturday. We had one game Thursday. We had one game Saturday. We had 10 games Sunday. We'll have two games Monday.

And we'll have two games on Tuesday. Is that all right? Yeah. And then another game on Thursday. And two games on Saturday, which is Christmas. It's eight out of 10 nights of primetime NFL football. It's like if you wanted to know what it would be like if football as your favorite sport, which fits so well that when your work week was done, there was a game on your weekend.

Now you know what it's like if it were baseball and it were every night of the week. This reminds me that Peter Schrager was texting us this weekend and mentioned that his son, his young son, I think he's five years old, watches every around the NFL broadcast in the morning, which is pretty amazing. What pop. And he said that he has takes from watching our show. One of them is that Mark hates the schedule. Well, the nature of the 17 game schedule and Peter Schroger mentioned that his wife agreed. So I've got two-thirds of the family. Peter respects Greg the most.

We know that. He's on record there. I mean, that was years ago. He perhaps did not respect my take, but his wife and child do. All right. Good stuff. Perhaps he does respect it. I don't know.

Why am I still talking? End the show. Anyway, we'll have a show, a Tuesday night show, recapping the four games left to go. And then a Thursday preview. A little different schedule. And then a Saturday TV show. It's all there.

Until then. He had the call. Hey, And I'm Bucky Brooks. On Move the Six, we take you inside the game from breaking down college prospects and NFL rookies to evaluating team building philosophies, coaching trends, and how front offices construct winning rosters. We study the tape, talk to decision makers, and give you a perspective you won't find anywhere else. It's everything you need to understand the why behind what happens on Sunday.

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