NFL Daily with Gregg Rosenthal - 2021 Week 16 Recap - Happy Boxing Day!

Episode Date: December 27, 2021

A room filled with some heroes- Dan Hanzus, Marc Sessler and Gregg Rosenthal recap all of the Week 16 games starting with the battle of the AFC East. Marc had a miserable Christmas due to some unfortunate matchups, and Gregg packed the umbrellas for a fun Atlanta game. Nick Shook stops by to discuss the Bengals and Eagles wins, and as always, the heroes recap the Sunday Night Football game. 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.

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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. Be around the NFL podcast. Is home for the holidays. Whether we want to be or not. It's the Around the NFL podcast. I'm Dan Hansis, joined in a virtual room filled with some heroes.

Greg Rosenthal, Mark Sessler. It is the day after Christmas. It's something called Boxing Day over yonder in the UK. So happy holidays to everyone. And how are you, boys? As we head into the Week 16 flagship program, whoa. do you know what boxing day is no all right so um it's basically you know charts back to ancient england not about ancient but way back when where like rich people or owners of servants

would box up gifts um for their underlings uh who had nothing no possessions of their own so that those people could go back to their you know i'm assuming small huts in a you know problematic village um with gifts for their own family would be given by the ruling class to the not ruling class. That's as much as I know. Wow. Sounds special. Mark, how are you, buddy?

What's going on? Because we were, you know, going into week 16, you felt really good about the Browns beating the Packers. And then you also locked up the Cardinals over the Colts. So on Christmas, you have a lot tied up into NFL action. And it all went to hell. And, of course, everyone is wondering the same thing. Is Mark going to be okay?

How are you right now? I feel like this is now becoming a weekly check-in because some things have kind of snowballed on the quiet storm lately. Where are you at, buddy? Well, I'm the underling that got a box to go give to my family from some sort of superior being

that hates me on some level when it comes to football. I am annoyed. But what's happened over the last, I would say since last Monday until this moment, in terms of football results. I'm here for the listener to be as professional and plugged in as possible.

But in terms of my own results bringing me any enjoyment at this point, I couldn't be more far removed from wishing for anything at this point. Because it seems to be every time I get, you know, amped up about A, B, or C, A, B, or C get totally taken apart in every possible way, in embarrassing ways on national television. So I am done with A, B, and C. I don't know if it's better or worse that, you know, these games happened yesterday on Saturday. We're taping, of course, Sunday night, the flagship show.

That would have been a fiery Sessler, but I don't know if he would look as, you know, trim and fit in a nice new Christmas sweater that he got. So I think we got the better version of Sessler tonight. That's true. Should we just share a few of the Sessler Christmas night texts tweets before we get going? That's fun. It's always fun to check. in with Dark Sessler.

It starts with Dark Exmus Descends. That was when he believed that the Browns would take out the Packers. A photo of himself from the early 90s or 80s. That's par for the course. Bring this nerdy gift, Santa. And then it starts the turn. I believe in no human rules now. Sheck makes a critical Baker Mayfield tweet.

Cessler quote retweets, Your QB is a fat, ancient. Some type of star. track reference freeze me in carbonite until 2030 one that it's not us that we we don't get into that but that is an incorrect assumption on your part but for john uh boring that's a tweet christmas is evil that's a tweet everything is boring slash prosaic every day is dull flavorless what little joys existed were dreams uh desire the cardinals to win yet done requesting anything from the biggest season ever uh then beyond feelings for any team some gray

functional and vaguely healthy operation will win the Super Bowl. And then finally in all caps, and there has not been a tweet since. Wicked over all things. Okay, so there's Mark. That's where he's at as we begin today's show. Merry Christmas, everyone. Merry Christmas to everybody. Let's get into the action starting.

Oh, this is not good for Mark either. Let's head to Foxborough. You are loving it. I'm loving it. Josh Allen, going to go shotgun to snap. Keeps it himself. Josh flings it to Dawson Knox. Touchdown.

Touchdown, Buffalo. They're headed to the exits now here in Foxborough. The bills score a touchdown. Josh Allen to Dawson Knox for the touchdown. Oh, John Murphy with the call, WGR. Josh Allen threw three touchdown passes. Isaiah McKenzie had a career high 11 catches. Micah Hyatt had two interceptions,

and the bills hung on to beat the Patriots, 33 to 21. Puts Buffalo back in first place in the ASC East. They have the tiebreaker. Greg, the Bills waited three weeks for their chance at Sweet Revenge over the Pats, and they got it in a huge moment in their season. I wondered this week, could Josh Allen just step up in a moment like this and be the guy that Bill's fans say he is, a top five guy who can just take over a game? And that was who he was.

I mean, the first drive of the game, he has a third and 11. It is a running theme for the day, hits Isaiah McKenzie, where he's, calm under pressure. He was making plays from the pocket. He's making plays off structure out of the pocket. But after the game, you know, what the Patriots defenders all said was how controlled he was. They played a zone defense, which is a little overconfident that they could cover these guys, I think, in zone because the bills were down a couple of receivers, and it backfired because Allen played like a veteran who has been there before. And the Patriots defense, which has gotten a lot of love throughout the season.

I think has real holes was totally toothless. They did not force a punt. That is the first time a Bill Belichick coach team has failed to force a punt in over 400 games. His entire career, they could have played four more quarters. It wouldn't have mattered. The bills would have scored or come close to it every time they had the ball. And the bills really could have won this game, I think, by three or four scores. It was remarkable that it had a chance for the Patriots.

midway through the fourth quarter. Every time I looked up, they were moving the chains. I mean, they were six for 12, Buffalo on third down, three for four on fourth downs. Josh Allen making huge, absolutely massive throws and big plays with his legs. And so, you know, we looked at this series between the two as obviously the biggest in the division, but one of the biggest in the AFC over the last month. And, you know, it's one one at this point, and I'd love to see them play again. But Buffalo totally answered, and this is why you go get.

Josh Allen and you extend them the way you did financially because of games like this, I couldn't be more impressed with what he performed, how he performed. My goodness, the, this game, and we talked about it on Thursday leading into this, this meant so much to Buffalo because this was a season where they were heavily favored in the division where things got off to a good start and then they started to struggle. They had some ups and downs. And then the season kind of bottomed out in that. on that terrible windy night in Buffalo where they lost that narrow game to the Patriots.

And after the game, you could tell the anger and frustration was just pouring out of Bill's players as they were forced to answer questions about what a genius Bill Belichick was and how the Patriots had had their number once again. So you could sense that this was either going to make or break their season. I really believe that going into this game. So now that they go and they deliver this huge performance, it once again kind of recalibrates what I think about the bills where I'm like, okay, this team can come out of the AFC because they showed so much. There's so much metal.

And I think that last drive where they sealed the game and it ended on the touchdown, the flip to Dawson Knox that we heard. I mean, that was such an onions drive by the whole team. This is a team that was missing guys to convert on those third downs. That place was going absolutely bonkers, converted on a fourth down. And Alan just made huge play after huge play after huge play. it says so much about the bills it really did and it ran for 64 yards too there were so many ways the bills won this game but i think the most disheartening for the patriots would be that the

bills oh line won and the bills oh line has been a bit of a disaster in their losses this year they were also short a couple starters and lost one during the game and Matthew judon in this way you got to like watch every week and you know some stories that are stories early in the season are taken away later he's been totally invisible the last month. And they are not the same team when he is invisible. Barmore had a couple pressures today. But for the most part, the O line for Buffalo is winning.

The D line for the Bills won enough. And so they won up front and they came into this game like looking to take it. You mentioned the fourth downs, Dan. You know, they go for a fourth down early on fourth and goal hit it. They come up short on another fourth and goal later. And then they get three other times. The two teams in this game combined for eight for ten. I really don't put this on the Patriots offense much at all.

I know the Mac Jones numbers look bad, but if you just look at the game, they had the ball seven times before garbage time. They scored touchdowns on three of those seven drives. The way that the Patriots defense was playing, they could have played this 10 times, and the Bill's offense was just like the unit. The Patriots are not built to play in a game like this

where they got to score 35. I think that the Sean McDermott decision to go for it on fourth down from the one-yard line on the third possession. They really essentially scored every time after that other than seconds left in the half and then the very end of the game. I mean, that set the tone. That's set the tone. And this was a demoralizing loss when it happened on Monday night. And I think it took some shine off of the Sean McDermott era in a sense where they've just been kind of going up, up and building. And it was like, wait a minute, you might be right back where you started against the Patriots team.

that seems to be ascending faster than you do. So I'm with you that it resets kind of what you think about Buffalo. I would love to see them again. I know it's almost at this point we want to take the Patriots and say, well, that was cute, but we don't believe in you. But I still do believe that New England could give them a formidable, an interesting test that they played more. And they could.

The bills have the Falcons and the Jets the next two week in Buffalo. It's hard to imagine the bills losing either one of those games. They win the AFC East if they win both of those games. the Patriots probably just need to beat the Jaguars next week to get a wild card. And so they could play. But I think one reason why the underlying numbers of the bills all season's been so good is, like, they've won nine games now by a minimum of 12 points each. I know the competition and their losses, like they've beaten mostly bad teams,

but that is just outrageous. That is more wins by 12 points or more than the entire Derek Carr era in Oakland and Las Vegas, for instance. That's a nine-year span. Like that is, it is rare what they are doing when they are winning. So they have it in them to play better. And now they are. Well, when their point differential is the highest for a Bills team since that 1990 Super Bowl team.

So to your point, yes, they've had some clunkers too. I mean, this helps. If they can stay this consistent, I'm in. But it's not, it doesn't wipe away every sin from the past on any level. So all teams have sins. There's ups and downs. And now the bills are going up again. I don't dismiss the Patriots.

I never did. But I think there was a rush to judgment to crown the Patriots, especially after that game as this division now runs through New England again. And it just goes to show you, the bills, when the bills are right, I think they're the best team in the division. I think they're most talented team. But if they did meet again in the playoffs, I think it's a coin flip game because I think they're very close, ultimately.

And today was just Buffalo's Day. By the way, the bravest performance in this game was not just, Josh Allen going down the field or Isaiah McKenzie being just absolutely a monster in the slot. Cole Beasley lost his job today. You know, you got to keep McKenzie in there. Yeah, if only Cole Beasley could have done something to perhaps avoid giving this guy an opportunity. But the real brave performance that came out of Foxborough happened after the game during the postgame presser. Somebody's, I don't know, mom, I don't know who it was, wandered into the press conference and had this question for Bill Belichick. Hi, football aside, sorry, but I'm doing a story about New Year's resolutions,

and I was just wondering if you had any you wanted to share with your fans and our readers? Yeah, no, not right now. Okay, thanks. Maybe next week. That was actually a little sweet. Velochek's comment at the end there. Maybe next week. Right.

How did she get in for that? If she claimed, if she's alerted them, that was. I mean, I don't imagine she's around anymore. Total subterfuge. I mean, yeah, I don't think they asked the question. you know, you don't have to screen him ahead of time. That was a wild answer. But Belichick's answers to all the legitimate football questions

were no different or no longer. He really, I think, these losses, it's like someone has sucked all the air in life out of his body. And I think of that Parcell's quote, I have no mental defense for losing anymore as I get older. And I think it's like he's like a carcass on, and he knows it too. That's why he apologized last week.

about it and it's almost like there's nothing he can do anymore when when there's games like Greg why do you sound so delighted with a smirk on your face when you say that about your head coach I'm not he's not my head coach I'm not not right isn't I just think it's it's fascinating I've seen it before but I think he's at this point in his career where it's tough it makes me it makes me wonder like he love he loves it but man he the losing I think is so hard on him I have I mean not as hard as it is on Mark's face while Dan was talking before is like the face you guys get on me for making faces when we're on when we do these uh you know remote shows mark's face was next level it still is

i know this is a laundry list is like games that i don't want to discuss it's like it's like you like a normal if in a normal i would love to move on to the next game i would go be a sleeping bag right i would do if nothing else i think it should give patriots fans some comfort that they got they got mollywopped in all three areas there wasn't like like a, like, oh, we could have won that, or they were a better team. Like, they, they were clearly an inferior team in a lot of ways. Doesn't mean they have to be, you know, if they make the playoffs, it could change. It's like 12 more games to talk about, by the way.

That's the only one that matter. And my one word response, or maybe it's two, the Bill Belichick suffering through losses is boohoo. I just mean, he might be done. Right. Go be Rich Coteight for a season or two and see how that feels. To Saturday night. He's back to pass. Wentz, looking.

Looking, pumps, steps up in the pocket, moving left, throws back of the end zone, and it is caught a sliding catch in the back of the end zone for the touchdown. Desmond Patton. That was Ryan Radke, Westwood won. Carson went through two touchdown passes, including that brilliant strike, and it was brilliant. To Desmond Patman in the fourth quarter, Jonathan Taylor ran for 108, and the banked-up cults continued their surge with a 22-16 win over the fading Cardinals. The Colts have now won three straight, six of seven.

They're nine and six. They got the win despite Darius Leonard going to the COVID list earlier on Saturday. They were missing four offensive starting linemen. Another got hurt during the game. And after the game, Greg, Frank Wright called it. This is one of the best team wins I've ever been a part of considering everything. I'm sure there are some other good ones, but this is up there. I get it.

this was a special win on Christmas night. It is incredible. I mean, they're one of the best teams in the NFL. I mean, there's nothing else you can say when you win nine or ten, whatever their streak is, especially the way they've done it the last two weeks. When I heard that Quentin Nelson was out and three of their interior offensive linemen, and then Darius Leonard's added to the mix, it ends up being eight starters. I just didn't think they would have enough.

And yet, like the offensive line held up really well. Arizona, other than a couple big plays and a return, like, was really struggling. This Colts team, to me, is just so well-coached when you start to shut down one part of their offense. Jonathan Taylor for most of the game, the passing game was enough on Saturday. And it's worth remembering, like, the Cardinals were similarly shorthanded. And I sort of lost track of that, that, like, three of their four best offensive players, Rondale Moore, I mean, Rodney Hudson, James Connor, DeAndre Hopkins are all gone, and then you throw in more. It's like they're not the same team that they were earlier in the season.

But unlike Indianapolis, they seem to be a little lost right now. Like game management, all sorts of issues where they just don't look like a well-coached team. It's weeks in a row for Arizona where they've seemed discombobulated at key moments. And it's synced up with Kyla Murray's return. But I think the Rodney Hudson lost has led to, in each one, these games, and it happened last night, a totally botched snap that creates total chaos. I mean, the Cardinals, like, they, earlier on in the year, maybe they're just a summertime warm weather team and they're not built for late in the year because this is, you know, under Cliff Kingsbury,

this has been characteristic. But early in the season, I thought they overcame mistakes because they were powerful and they were, they were mighty and they were able to do what they wanted to on both sides of the ball. And all metrics showed that. But now they're the team where if you're going to get Matt Prater melting down, and Kyla Murray making mistakes. You know, he's an MVP candidate as of a couple weeks ago, not now, because he is magical to watch and does incredible things. And there were moments of that last night, too. But there are too many plays left on the field.

And, you know, we're a week away from Carson Wentz, creating all sorts of questions with a five completion game. I saw Carson Wentz last night and thought they can win the Super Bowl with this guy if he plays this way. That was my like takeaway. And he's done, it's happened before this season. And I know he's not a steady quarterback and necessarily one you could absolutely trust. But sometimes he'll flash that 2017 Carson Wentz.

And if that guy gets hot and that guy sticks around, I agree. There is no ceiling on this team. This is a Super Bowl level team. And on the game ceiling drive, he made three huge plays. He had a second and 17 conversion, uh, that, um, move the chains in a big spot. He had a deep shot downfield, a dime to T.Y. Hilton. And then that throw, again, you heard it to begin the conversation. But that's one of the best throws of the year.

Like in with the pass rush coming in on him, moving with his feet, dropping down sidearm, and then throwing a perfectly placed strike to the back of the end zone where only his receiver can get it. Like, that was in a throw he was making in Philadelphia the last couple of years. And when you look at his road stats and after Tennessee's big win, earlier this week, they're going to win that division. So the Colts are probably going to the playoffs and they're going to be on the road. Carson Wentz has 12 touchdown, zero interceptions, a passer rating of over 100 on the road. He is not a liability, or at least he wasn't last night.

No, but even that game, he was pretty up and down. Like, you didn't come until that last drive in which he was sensational. And you're right. It was one of his best moments in a long time. he was struggling but what he wasn't doing was killing them and you had to like kind of keep the context of the game in mind like they lost jack doyle and eric fisher to injuries in that game two more starters on top of everything i said coming in so their ability to adjust it's funny because i remember that uh that colts loss the the colts media even like great good colts media like

was really getting hard on frank rike and they were starting to talk about next season at two and five it is it is crazy how long these seasons are it is a reminder like this this won't happen too often but at least one or two teams have years like this where you start that poorly and now they are they are the proverbial team no one wants to face in the playoffs if you if you win a division and you got to play the colts first week of the playoffs that's not going to be in the cults the cardinals feel like the reverse of that well they looked invincible for months on end and i was wooed by them entirely and now i'm not certain that they aren't one and done if if the environment isn't perfect for them in the

playoffs i mean they've clenched a spot they backed into a playoff spot yes the cardinals will be in the playoffs but they are watching the division float away uh which seemed inconceivable a couple weeks ago in the cults yes like we're saying started oh and three and now they're nine and six and that is pretty damn good all right let's now move to the second it's going to be the show will get better mark once we get through these first three games that's the only thing we can promise you let's move to the second uh game that was played on christmas it was actually played earlier in the day. It was in Lambeau Field. Mayfield shotgun fades back, throws middle. Intercepted.

Picked off by Rasul Douglas at the 40. He's down near midfield. The fourth interception by the Packer defense. Today, the second for Douglas. And that will cement the day for Green Bay. 43 seconds to go. Packer ball up two. John Sayadak with a call for Westwood one on the day that Aaron, Rogers surpassed Brett Farr to become Green Bay's all-time leader and touchdown passes. It was the Packers defense that saved the day in the end. Rasul Douglas with that interception on a Baker-Mayfield pass. It was the fourth interception by Mayfield in the Packers 24-22 win over the Browns.

Cleveland nearly came back from a 12-point second-half deficit before the Douglas I-N-T, an I-N-T that probably should have been a defensive holding call, it should be said. But there was no flag, and that was the game with 43 seconds to play. The Packers aren't closing well lately, but they keep winning. Yeah, I mean, I think of the Bears game we watched a couple weeks ago where, you know, Chicago kept making big plays and hanging around until Green Bay broke it open. There's the fact that, you know, they nipped Baltimore a week ago and then this Browns game. And I, you know, they're just a, the Packers are a rugged team with star players.

They're well coached. They know how to win these games. And the opponent did not. And I mean, it's for the Browns, I thought it was a. killer loss because it's one of those defeats where, A, your season is on the brink. We don't believe in you anymore. You can't close games in real time,

but it also leaves you with lingering poisonous thoughts about the future of that team because your quarterback, big spot after big spot, week after week, month after month this season, is not showing up and is killing them. And I know that that Rasul-Douglas final pick was controversial. I thought it was a hold, but I don't really even care because the other three interceptions were hideous.

And Baker-Mayfield has not seen the field at all. The other thing is, look, you have Nick Chubb playing out of his mind. He has not looked great against Stackboxes a couple weeks in a row. He was on fire yesterday. I think that it raises questions about Kevin Stefanski's play calling in the clutch, too. It just left me with so many bad tastes in my mouth about this season, this team. I know it's like, oh, you could go be a Jaguars fan, it's much worse, I guess. but there's just, we're in these different worlds where, like, the team has been as frustrating

an okay team that I can recall Browns-wise in my entire life. I mean, they just, they cannot close games. They're gritty enough to hang around, and then they break your heart. And the Packers do the reverse. I mean, they are just, they understand how to manage a regular season. I can't believe they close the game with five straight Baker throws. Absurd. It was just crazy. It was crazy. When, you know, I picked the Browns to win too. I thought when they got the ball with 203 left I was like they're going to win this game

because you don't even need Baker to do anything they're going to win this game handing the ball off and maybe throwing a screen pass and the only nervous part in my mind then was like will their kicker make or miss the kick and it's like I didn't know how close can they get it for them

I just had no question the way their offensive line missing again three starters was handling Green Bay. I thought they were handed a beautiful gift with Devante Adams, the best receiver in the league, dropping a wonderful throw by Rogers or else the Browns maybe aren't in that spot. And I'm like, and that's how the drive started.

You know, they run it a couple times. Baker did hit one throw at third and six, but even one of his throws there was like well behind the receiver. And I just couldn't believe that they ended the game with three straight throws from Baker Mayfield, the way he was playing. and the way they were running. They had plenty of time.

They had timeouts. Baker was two for nine. On throws over 10 yards, he was two for nine for 21 yards and three interceptions. And it was just like he wasn't playing well. And you didn't need him to play well. It really drove me crazy the way Stofansky handled the end of that game. It did make me think, you know, as you're talking about it right now, I'm thinking about the previous Saturday when Carson went through that terrible interception

against the Patriots. And Frank Reich was like, I'm taking the ball out of my quarterback's hands. And I think if there's a big difference is like, I think Stefansky just fully believes in Baker. I think that coaching staff still sees Mayfield as a difference maker. And I just think there's enough data now where it's like Baker is just a guy. I don't think Baker's a bad quarterback,

but he's certainly not a great quarterback. And on a day like this, when he already had the three first half interceptions and he threw another one right into the breadbasket of a Packers defender that was dropped, it was just like if there was ever a day, like you guys are just saying, just feed it to Chubb, who's just running through arm tackles all game. Matt LaFleur said after the game,

it was their worst tackling game of the year. They were ready to go down. So that is, yeah, that's a frustration. But, I mean, ultimately, it does make you think the Browns have two division games here to clean things up and maybe get a playoff spot, and even though it seems unlikely. What is the future with Baker Mayfield?

Are these games changing perhaps the perception of where he's at? We'll have time to talk about that, but it's hard not to think about it after it's a referendum season i think it totally i think everything is totally changed and then and you can talk about his shoulder the health his overall health but i mean some of this just goes beyond that kurt warner made a really good point you know just pointing out sort of how he wasn't opening up his shoulder when he was thrown to his left and that's what a great like analysis can do they showed it and you could see it like his his left shoulder was just totally dead and so his feet's facing one way his arms throwing

and the other, and that was, like, one of his miss throw. So that did get me thinking, like, it is a factor for him throwing the left, but a lot of it's just, like, bad decisions. So then, don't play him, right? That's right. I mean, it's just like a certain point. Don't tell me about the shoulder if you keep running a mouth. I was thinking they win that game with Nick Mullins.

That game was there for the taking. They win that game with Nick Mullins playing the way he did last year, last week. It's just like, he cost them the game. And if he's not physically there, he shouldn't do it. Like, make a play, people's Jones. I mean, there's a, it's like, I don't like it on Twitter where it's like, no, it was that call's fault or no, it's Baker's fault.

It's like, it can be everyone's fault. That said, all right, here's the scenario, Mark. They play Monday Night Football next week. Okay, next week. It's not complicated, but it's not deserved. It's not complicated. I'm just saying, okay, next Sunday, the Bengals can go win the division

if they beat the Chiefs. But if the Chiefs win that game and if the Rams beat the Ravens on Sunday, two likely results, then the Browns play the season. Steelers Monday night with a chance to force a winning in game. Browns beat the Steelers. Then it's winning in Bengals, Browns, AFC North title game.

You would assume they'd make that the Sunday night football game in week 18. That is all very realistic. I think the hardest part is the Brown's winning two games. What about Mark's heart? Are we worried about Mark's heart if two more primetime games with that much at stake potentially? I don't know if we need that. We want to keep Mark around for the long haul here.

Yeah, I get what's happening with the NFL. It's like your team is raging junk in late December, but hey, you're still around and you still have a mathematical chance. I don't care. You've earned nothing. If you go do it, I'll hang around. But it's like there's nothing that I see visually that tells me they're a playoff team on any level right now. And I'm not going to get all jazzed up about it. All right.

The Packers move to 12 and 3. They are in command of that number one seed and the buy that comes with it. And oh, yes, they're also undefeated at home. Even if that looked like it was in doubt there, but the defense stepped up. All right. We're going to take a break, then get Nick Shook on the line up next. 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 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.

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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 I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Toyota, the official automotive partner of the NFL.

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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. Burr out of the gun catches the Hopkins snap. Fires downfield, caught on the run. Boyd sprinting down the middle of the field to the 20, the 10, and five.

Whoa, baby. Into the end zone. Touchdown. Bengals, 68 yards. Burrow to Boyd. Welcome back, Dan Horde. Dave Lappin. Go nuts in the Cincinnati Bengals.

Play-by-play box, W-C-Y with the call. Joe Burrow is a bad man, the baddest man. The second year, QB, set a franchise record with 525 yards passing. And the Bengals rolled to a 4,1,21 win over the COVID and injury decimated Ravens. We now welcome in Nick Shook, the pipe. Hey, pipe, we are all witnesses. Yeah, you're telling me, let me mute this real quick. So I get to the email.

The pipe's ready to roll. You like that? We are all witnesses. You know, I was making this argument the other day. I don't even remember to who it was, but I'm thinking, or I'm saying, you know, Joe Burrow, I think, is a few more steps away from entering, like, borderline elite category in this league. Just from what I've seen this year, this was like the culmination of that and not getting

in the Pro Bowl and everything else, and the Ravens not having anybody except warm bodies in their secondary left. It all came together, and he just lit them up all afternoon, teamed up with this, you know, two young targets in T. Higgins and Jamara Chase. It was a dominant performance from them. I mean, we know what the Ravens are trying out offensively. But with him, the Bengals of the ball, they were lighting it up, and they look pretty strong right now.

Joe Burrow set the all-time record for number of yards against a particular team in a season. I love that stat. He had 941 yards against the Ravens this year. They put up a 40 burger on them twice. The Wesleyan brothers locked it up early in the week in their defense. They didn't know if these Josh Johnson starting. I don't know. This is seismic stuff.

When you have a quarterback like Burrow, everything changes. He's absolutely, I don't know what elite means or like where that line is. But this season, I think he's been a top five quarterback. I would have him fifth right now. You know, he's somewhere between four and seven, depending on how you like it. And that is an incredible realization for a second year quarterback who's just so in control of every situation. in. That's what impresses me the most. I do think that Aditi pointed something out interesting about this, that the way that they destroyed Pittsburgh a couple of weeks back that got on my radar

big time, basically using the run to destroy the Steelers. But two times against the Ravens, it's been these massive plays through the air. I mean, these are division opponents that have dominated Cincinnati forever. I think it's fair, though, we have to note that the Ravens were down to one of their top eight cornerbacks. Not that the Cincinnati wouldn't have just flat out won this thing anyways because I look back at the first the matchup is not good for Baltimore but this is one of those losses or you know showdowns in general where we kind of forget you know weeks from now what Baltimore has has been dealing with and was dealing with in this game I mean there's not functional in a secondary let me to just back up what you're saying there sessler the the the ravens the

walls fell in on the ravens in this game and this has been something that's been happening for the past month as I think a lot of factors have led to where they're at now which is they are a below average NFL team at this point. You're seeing it with the results. They went into this game, Shook, with 33 players, either on IR or the COVID-19 restricted list. 33 players. I mean, no team. I don't care who it is will survive that.

And we were trying to talk ourselves into the Ravens. Like, well, they've always had history on their side with these AFC North have-nots. And Tyler Huntley, he's been playing. I mean, they were two-point conversion away. And all the same people were gone last week from beating the Packers. So that's why. Tyler Huntley was shaping up as a guy could step in and handle things.

And then he gets COVIDed out of the scenario. And it's just like sometimes it's just not your year. And yes, while you have to temper that when you factor in the dominance of the Bengals, that's a part of this story that the Ravens, it's almost unprecedented what's happened to them this year. Yeah, and you have to give them credit for the fight that they've had. I mean, they were fighting throughout this game

and they had it at a 10-point game just before half than the Bengals scored one more time to extend their lead. They battled. And they've been battling through all of this all season. And like Greg said, you know, they nearly beat the Packers. It's just how many losses can you take? I think I wrote in the what we learned for this. I think we're below critical mass for them.

Like I just think that they've suffered so many losses that this was the one. Like this was the week where it was just too much to overcome. You know, they have a clear path to the wild card if they went to an O. But that would include beating the Rams, much less, you know, the Steelers in Week 18. And it's just hard to imagine them bidding a team like this. But still like those plays Higgins is making. It's like you can, it doesn't matter. I know he's taller than whoever they're putting in for Baltimore.

It's like T. Higgins is a great NFL receiver. And Mixon is a great running back and Chase is a great receiver. And it's like these players are great. So I just think it's almost like the rest, the coaches and everything else, they just got to not get in the way. Here's how you get to 525 yards receiving, by the way. T. Higgins, 12 for 194, two touchdowns on 13 targets. He's over 1,000.

Remember when he was quiet earlier this season, like six or seven games? Jamar Chase, who just got picked for the pro ball. Seven for 125 on 10 targets. Tyler Boyd, three for 85 and a touch on five targets. Joe Mixin, six for 70 and a touch on six targets. CJ Uzama, five for 36. Drew sample two for nine. Samarjay Piron, two for six.

You added up 37 receptions, 525 yards, 14 yards per catch. four touchdowns and it all came from Joe Burrow, who I'm with you, Shook. I think when I have to do my superstar club column later this spring, it's time to put Joe in there because he's just shown it all year long. Yeah, I thought the whole, he's not making the Pro Bowl because he leads the league and interceptions thing was kind of unfair. And I'm going to take this moment right here to stump for this because this is, you know, we have a billion advanced metrics now, right?

Well, let's introduce earned and unearned interceptions because a good amount of Joe Burroughs interceptions have not been earned. Baseball has it with pitchers. Why can't we do it with quarterbacks? I think if you took that into account, his Pro Bowl case becomes a lot stronger. He's going to be there before. Plus, it was Lamar, who just didn't deserve it over him.

And Mahomes didn't either if you had, but Mahomes is at least you could make the case. It's absurd. We don't have that metric, that statistic at this point. You're totally right. You got the platform. It's a $15 billion company. You got some juice right now.

Yeah, you're in with the stats. You are the next-gen stats guy. Just start saying it as if it is an official stat. And the issue with it is, and you need like visual judgment. You can't just use tracking data for it. You need to be like, oh, Jemar Chase dropped that pass into an interception, which he did this year once. Well, Chris Collinsworth has made a billion dollars off PFF,

and that's just watching the stats and putting numbers to it. Hey, before we move on, one of the things that we like about Joe Burrow is that he's got a little like piss and vinegar to him. He's got a little moxie to him. And he didn't take too kindly to wink Martindale, the defense coordinator of the Ravens kind of, you know, having a little fun at his expense saying let's not put a gold jacket on Joe Burrow just yet

leading into this game. Well, after 525, he was asked about that. I didn't think it was a necessary comment. I wouldn't say I was offended by it. I mean, I'm in year two. Who knows what's going to happen down the road? I didn't think it was a necessary comment. Was it on your mind when you were throwing at the end to 525?

Maybe. He's wearing a Santa hat while saying all this. They were throwing in the fourth quarter as he was howling up those yards. A very, very fun team to watch. Good for the Wessling brothers. I wish Chris Wessling was here, obviously, for so many reasons. But to just hear his thoughts on these bengals and where they're at right now. And maybe, just maybe we could have gotten them back to the bengals with this team and this quarterback.

Fate said otherwise. All right. We got one more game with Shuki. Let's head to Philly. Back again, goes Glennon. And the pass is intercepted. Running down the sideline, Alex Singleton. And he is in for a second NFL touchdown.

Meryl Reese with a call WIP. Jalen Hertz through a five-yard touchdown to Lane Johnson. And linebacker Alex Singleton returned an interception for a touchdown. The Eagles continued their push for the playoffs with a 3410 win over the more above. New York Giants. Shucky, like last Tuesday, the Eagles got out of the gate slow, but turned it on against an inferior division opponent.

Yeah, probably could have had a lot more points this game if they would have stopped shooting themselves in the foot in the first half, which if they hoped to sneak into the playoffs, you know, went out and sneak into the playoffs. They're going to have to clean that up. But second half, they turned it on. And even after losing Miles Sanders, they still found a way to rush for 130 plus.

I mean, this is the league's best rushing team in terms of total yards. And they found a way to do it again. they're fun. They are fun to watch just because they got these young guys running around. Jalen Hurst is a fun quarterback to watch. I love the rapport that he's developing with Devante Smith, and he's not the only guy in that receiving core. Jalen Rager is kind of a fun punt returner to watch.

I mean, it's an enjoyable team to watch against a Giants. Well, not as a receiver, but, you know. And it's against the Giants team that, you know, Joe Judge can tell you during the week all he wants. The change has, it's happened. we've turned the corner and we're going to show it. Well, they're so far from showing it right now. I know they had to play Jake Fromm and they, Fromm was so bad,

they went to Mike Glenn in the second half. Oh my God, really? You just can't wait to get to the last season. For performance reasons, they went away from the rookie in a game that meant nothing. Don't you want to just get a look at it for better or worse? Please explain to me how Jake Fromm's like 20 dropbacks for 25 yards looked just with your eyes. One of the next-gen stats we pulled. it was Jake Fromm was one for five

and I can't remember the exact scenario for negative two yards. That's the kind of offense it was. Six for 17 for 25 yards is something you don't see too often. That doesn't even count the sack yard. And then he threw a pick to start the third quarter that set the Eagles up for their first touchdown in the day. And from there they were rolling and Fromm was done for the day

and Joe Judge had had enough. I mean, it's just two very uneven. Dan, I know that you like look at the dolphins worse to first type scenario, not first place, but they're surging back after a terrible start. The Eagles were two and five. They're now eight and seven. I find it easier to believe in this team than Miami.

Just because they seem like if they got into the wild card and they're headed there at this point, barring a collapse, they're just dangerous. They've never had a rushing attack franchise-wide. This is a historical franchise since 1949. They need to clean up the penalties a little bit. Seems to linger in a lot of these games for them. But they're just explosive.

Their first half, they were suppressed in that it totally went wild in the third and fourth quarter. We talked about it on the Friday TV show, as you should, everyone should check out. It airs on Saturday on NFL Network through around the NFL broadcasts that, yeah, that Philly is great up front. And they have a quarterback who can make plays with his legs. I guess it comes down to like, can he make enough throws and shook? I'm curious where you're at on his development as a passer so far because they absolutely, I agree with you, Mark. If they get into the dance, they profile as a team that could pick off a favorite. He looks like a second-year quarterback at times.

I mean, there's a third-go-go-to-go situation where, you know, if he waits a beat longer, he might find a guy open the end zone where he targets a guy because he's crossing right in front of him, you know, three-four yards short of the sticks. There's other situations where, you know, he could make a better reader, a better throw, but the talent is there. And when it shines, it really shines. I mean, like I said, that rapport with Devonthe Smith, they teamed up. They had a great connection where DeVante Smith made a,

and maybe he caught it, maybe he didn't. It was overturned a review, and then the review was reviewed, and they overturned it back to a touchdown. What? It was kind of strange. Yeah, a nice toe tap catch, a well-placed pass. I mean, there's glimpses. And I think with more time, he's just going to continue turning forward,

not to mention the fact that, you know, they can run with him as well, and they've used that to their advantage. They've benefited from a soft schedule, but what are you going to do? Shuki, we appreciate you stepping in into a spot that no one else wanted to take frankly you were the Giants Eagles beat writer over the last four weeks you handled both of those games and you handled them beautifully unbelievable yeah you know one was a low scoring affair one not so much i'll tell you what this blowout made it a lot easier to write today it was an easier day for me pipe what's going on with your personal life you uh i know you're close to perhaps some

an engagement ring scenario oh yeah well you know let's just say the gears are turning the process has begun and hopefully we didn't just ruin the surprise does she listen is she in the room you have an ear in her earpiece in right she's and i mean when you buy that engagement ring is i don't know what the the percentage number is in 2021 but it's meant to be what like 20% of your salary or something it was like i was the old saying two months salary or something like that it's not that but it'll do you should what you should take is and this will save you a lot of money is uh because you are the pipe you just take a lead pipe and then you get a saw and you just kind of crudely saw off the very top of the pipe,

fashioned it as a ring, and then just sand it down a little bit, you don't want any jagged engines, and then just slip that on Miss Pipe. You know, I could add to this, you know, tie in our journey together and get it from like some old Cleveland pipe

that was happening for a hundred plus years. She's a gym rat too, so you guys should just get like married in a gym or something, like, you know, to have like a whole, you know, workout theme. Everybody shows up in, I do one note. I think Dan has given you terrible advice.

Do not follow that. That's not taking you anywhere. So you're telling me that party favors that are packs of weight protein, not the, that's not something like good. No matter what she's saying. Because of centerpieces, no. To Mark's point, stick with the whole lead pipe ring, but have a real ring on backup. If she says no and gets offended by the lead pipe ring, you know she wasn't the girl in the first place. If she's like, oh, pipe, I'll go anywhere with you and wear anything.

Then he's saying, all right, baby. flick off the lead pipe ring, give her the rock, and we're flying in a big spot. The old bait and switch. Okay, all right. We're taking, we got notes here. These aren't notes about that, but we could write these notes down. All right, Chucky, thank you for your work all season long, and we'll see you next Sunday. All right, guys, thanks.

Man, Shook is a good dude. All right, let's move back into the action of Sunday. Let's head to Minneapolis. Here's Powell at the other end of the field coming up to take it at the 40, stumbles to his right. He's got midfield. in a block. He's got the 40 of Minnesota down the right sideline. 20, 10, five. Touchdown

L.A. Brandon Powell goes somersaulting into the end zone with a punt return for a touchdown. J.B. Long, my buddy, it feels like so long ago that we were in the park watching that

yacht rock cover band just shred. And one day we will again. the next season. Every season, I have to hang out with J.B. Long and his family. Spring is right around the corner, and I'll leave it at that. Brandon Powell returned to punt 61 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter. A huge play for the Rams on their way to a 30 to 23 win over the Vikings. As we said earlier, the win gives the Rams a advantage of one-game lead in the NFC West over the Cardinals.

It also allowed the Cardinals to clinch a playoff spot. And an interesting game here. Here's the thing, the Vikings who were a flawed but interesting team for so long, that kind of got thrown out here because in this game, they were just the inferior team. The Rams are playing at a very high level right now. And even a game where Matthew Stafford did not play well. And he had too many throws that were just thrown them up for grabs and allowed the Vikings to hang around. You kind of felt Los Angeles in control of this entire game.

And I think that says a lot about where Los Angeles has come from after their slumber last month. They are now playing very, very good football at the end of December. And as a result, the Vikings look like they are going home after week 18. I love this so much for the Rams that you get a bad Stafford game that, you know, a couple weeks past, like Bad Stafford Games meant a loss. They found a way to win with him really subpar play. And I mean, I know they lost Daryl Henderson, Ernest Jones went out

they were already hit with COVID they didn't have a left tackle Andrew Whitworth I mean it says a lot about them to overcome all that because the Vikings are still a quality team in this world we live in right now and I mean Justin Jefferson being held to what like 40 yards by Jalen Ramsey Aaron Donald looking like he should be defensive player of the year

they have stars and their stars are playing well and those guys you don't know are stepping up like a Powell I mean like a Sony Michelle I'm kind of a amazed that Sony Michelle is getting 27 carries and Darrell Henderson's getting one because Henderson is just so much more explosive. But I think it speaks to what Sean McVeigh wants, which is if we block four, get four. And if Michelle, who's running really hard, can get six, great. But Henderson, who's more of the home run hitter, is on the bench right now. It's really

changed their offense. They've run it quite well. And no team's had a better month than the Rams. I mean, they've caught three games on the Cardinals in three weeks. You know, they They came into that game. It was only 12 days ago, or what was it? 13, 14 days ago against the Cardinals down a couple games in that division. Now they're up a game with two to play. It's just switched so fast for them to get to 11 and 4 and feel like they're hitting the playoffs and totally in stride is awesome.

And they still have a chance for the one seed. They would need a little help, but it's possible. The Vikings didn't get a touchdown pass from Kirk Cousins. until 8-21 to play, and it cut the lead to 27-20. Then they needed their defense to make a stop, and it couldn't. They gave up a field goal, and the game was over. That was that. And that touchdown drive midway through the fourth quarter

was the only one of Minnesota's first nine possessions that went for longer than 15 yards. So this was like, you know, we talked about it on Thursday. Kirk Cousins, these don't always have to be Kirk Cousins' referendum games, and I don't think they lost this game because of Kirk Cousins because the past protection wasn't great. There was no Dalvin Cook. Adam Thielen was clearly not 100%.

No run game at all. On that ankle. So it was just the offense just kind of stuck in mud a little bit here. Sometimes, like we were saying earlier, it doesn't have to all be on one player or one coach. You could just look at the team and be like, the Minnesota Vikings did not step up in a game they absolutely needed at home. And they're seven and eight and probably heading home as a result.

So yes, Justin Jefferson got his 100 yards, but it wasn't a real Jefferson dominant performance. In fact, I know Greg, you were singing Jalen Ramsey's praises for his performance the previous week against D.K. McHaff and the Seahawks, he was so, so good. And because the matchup was so great, maybe the best matchup you'll see all season, Jalen Ramsey against Justin Jefferson, there was a lot of ISO replays of the game. And I'm sure the all 22 tapeheads are going to dissect it over the next couple days and have a lot of fun with it.

And what you're going to see is Jalen Ramsey not fighting for anything, step for step, every bit the athlete Justin Jefferson is. And it's just a reminder in another game where Aaron Donald was constantly in the backfield causing havoc that when you have these two superstars, these two Hall of Famers in the primes of their career, yeah, that makes up for a lot of mistakes your quarterback can make. And they're allowing them to travel a little bit more of the last two weeks. Now, maybe that was because of the opponents because of the unique skills of Metcalfe and Jefferson, but he had been kind of staying in the slot, not playing as much outside traveling

with the best receivers. And so maybe that's changing with the playoffs coming up. The Vikings do, and they've gotten a little boring the last couple weeks. It's disappointing. I wanted this team to be fun through the end. They do have the Packers next week. They do have a chance to set a record, though, Dan, of the lowest margin over like a full season that any team's ever played.

Next Gen Sat sent that out. I think it's like 5.5 is the average margin right now and in any of their games. And so it's something to keep an eye. There you go. Yeah, no, I'm with you, though. There is a, the kind of magical aspect, even if sometimes it was black magic or the Viking season. Really, since that Thursday night, Pittsburgh in the second half, it's just been more like they're not very good on offense. And as a result, the defense isn't able to pick up the slack.

It's just kind of the fairy tale is over if there was one in the first place. All right. take a break and then we will hit more NFL action kill me 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 is the kind of conversation 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 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. William stays in. They fake it to him, sling it. Cut by Pringle.

Off the hit, darts back inside. Touchdown! Kansas City, Byron Pringle, with an outstanding catch and run, dusting two Steelers and into the Sweetnecker and the Chiefs lead 29 to nothing. Hmm, interesting little trend here. The superpowers are starting to get right. We see the Rams over in the NFC, what they did today. How about the Kansas City Chiefs?

Mitch Holt is with the call there for WDAF. Patrick Mahomes threw for 258 yards and three touchdowns. Byron Pringle caught two of those touchdown passes. The Chiefs roll the Steelers 3610, clinching their sixth consecutive AFC West title. Think about that. Six consecutive AFC West titles. Mark, the game also allows the Chiefs to stay a game ahead of the Tennessee Titans

for first place in the AFC. Eight straight wins now. And they look the part. I mean, whatever concerns we had about Kansas City a month ago, Just do not look relevant to me at this point. I mean, you don't have Travis Kelsey in this game. Tyreek Hill, you thought, well, everything will go his way. He had two catches for like 19 yards.

It was Byron Pringle playing one of the best games he's had in his entire career. Guys like Derek Gore, who had a huge 50-yard catch in this game. Nicole Hardman made plays, Daryl Williams, Blake Bell. I mean, just like everyone else stepped up. Mahomes had hit nine different targets in the first half. I think the other side of the story, though, is that their offense is heating up and their run game is as well. They did lose Clyde Edwards Elair to a collarbone injury that looks pretty serious.

They lost the Honey Badger as well. I don't know what will happen with him was a quad injury. But you were playing a Steelers' offense that we understood that issues and just was completely and totally broken down in this game. I mean, they had like 100 yards at half, 10 minutes of possession, and the second half was just garbage time. I mean, it's just like Kansas City, you know, they had another kicker either. and they brought this guy and he keeps it and kicks too.

So it's like Kansas City just looks to me, legit, they're heating up. They found a way to win today in a different type of game that kind of just shows you that Andy Reid, you know, they talked about Andy Reid during the week talking to the announcing crew, Romo and Nance saying, I don't really care who's in there, like, we're going to find a way. And that's nice to say, a lot of teams will say that same thing, but they did today. And it showed, they flex their muscles, it showed their power. And the Steelers, who we've kind of, you know, viewed as sort of this walking zombie. I think the head has been chopped off at this point.

I'm not saying that they couldn't go win. I think they're going to go 8-8 and 1. But they are a fraud when it comes to being a playoff team. Big Ben had no answers today. And they were, you know, they're imbalanced. They've got line issues. And what we've not believed in all year reared its head in the worst possible time for Pittsburgh. I'm just going to say it.

They're the worst 7-7 and one team in NFL history. Terrible. How did this team win seven games? Well, because of what you and I've said before. four, though. Like, they find ways to suddenly get freaky for a quarter and a half, and they're in it, you know? Right. On one hand, I want to give Tomlin credit because, like, they've won seven games. On the other hand, you know, it is his defense. I know they've had a ton of injuries, but they're, they're a soft team. Remember everyone was calling the bills soft because, like, they gave up a couple big runs against the Patriots in a game they allowed less than 250 yards. I mean, the Steelers defense is soft. They are the definition of soft. Like, at points in this game, the Chiefs ran like nine straight plays. The Chiefs, rookie offensive linemen and the way they constructed that offensive line in general to me is one of the bigger like long-term stories in the afc this year they they hit home runs with tray smith and uh creed humphrey

and that's who they're running behind on all these short yardage plays and those are rookies those guys are going to be there tony's going to be there for a while they should probably resign orlando brown they really did fix that in one fell swoop they're they're hesitant to run i know this game wasn't about the run but it just to me it's like who who who Who are the Steelers if you can't stop the run, especially when you're playing the Chiefs? Yeah, I would say, I think you're probably right, Mark. I think maybe the head was finally taken off the zombie, but it is the AFC North. And we'll have to see.

They got that tie in the mix. And Cincinnati has shown us before that they could look like world beaters one week and stumble the next. But probably and beyond that, we all know where this Pittsburgh team is, which is they just, they just exist. They're nothing to get excited. about and the chiefs i think of the big story here um because if patrick mohomes is able to keep rolling with kelsey out of the lineup um what's going to happen now as the season goes on so

cheese fans have very confident yeah oh by the way you skip a round of the playoffs at this point you know if they can if they can hold serve uh here at the next two it's great the chief said never won back-to-back division titles before andy read and now they've won six straight that that says a lot about andy read what little note about about the Steelers real quick, sorry, but they have trailed by 17 plus points in the four, before the fourth quarter nine times in their last 19 games. That happened to Big Ben nine times in his first 143 starts. I mean, they are just a broken down scenario. I'm not declaring that they're not going to win another game. They do play the Browns next week. So I'm saying

nothing. I'm not, it's just not some, I'm not doing this again. I'm just saying they're an 8, eight and one team. We're going to get that. You know, I've been wondering why Mark's been hitting this 8, and one thing so hard. And then, like, as it always does, it kind of connects to something else that I didn't realize that that was one of his sandwich props. Nick Fortier of go get my lunch, gave us an updated rundown of all the sandwich props. So that adds a little bit of context. I honestly had no, I had no memory that I had made a sandwich prop off of that.

I don't believe you. I believe me. It's totally slipped my mind. I've been consistently fascinated with the idea of it happening. Got it. All right. Let's move and check in. Very dismissive. I don't know. What do you want me to say? I don't believe you.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers looking to get back on track after last Sunday night's embarrassing loss. Good thing the Panthers were on the slate. Buccaneers need a touchdown to finish this deal, don't we? We lead 226 to snap to Brady inside handoff Rojo running left. Touchdown, Tampa Bay. Nobody laid a hand on him. Dean Dagger off with a call WFU.S. Tom Brady threw for 232 in a touchdown.

Antonio Brown made a successful return to the lineup as the Bucks routed the Panthers 32-6. I'd this surprise me. The Bucks, their first NFC South title since 2007. They won the Super Bowl last year as a wildcard team and had not won a division title before that since 2007. Anyway, Mark, nice to take care of business win for the Bucks who follow up that loss against the Saints with a T-shirt. and cap win. Yeah, it kind of reminds me the game we just talked about

because we know that, you know, the Bucks are without Mike Evans, without Chris Godwin, without Lenny Fornett, without even Brashad Perriman who offered a deep threat for them. And it led to Antonio Brown arriving at just the right time for them,

whether you like his personality or not. Tom Brady likes what he's doing on the field. Who's left that likes the Antonio Brown? Like, who's in the big fan club at this time? I don't know every single person who listens to this. So I'm just putting that out there is a probable scenario

that most do not, but targeted 15 times, caught 10 of them 101 yards. They were a little discombobulated early, but you could feel Brady and the cast of characters that came in. They're getting a little more comfortable. Cyril Grayson had a 62-yard catch at one point. Hishon Vaughn, who's been in the doghouse, had a 55-yard run for a touchdown. I mean, little guys that just have not been a big part of the story stepped up. But why it reminds me also of the game we just talked about Kansas City, Pittsburgh, was that you had the Panthers who are driving me nuts with this situation. I lost my patience watching this. It was this dueling piano player scenario where Cam Newton came in and let a field goal drive.

Then he throws a pick on the next drive. So in comes Sam Darnold, who made one big play, but in general was just back and forth between these two guys. A totally bizarre plan that did not look like anything an NFL team should be doing. I understand what Matt Ruhl said about it after, that it's just like, you know, he wasn't thrilled with it either, but they, they, let's hear from that rule, Sessler, because I know we've been told there are reports that Matt Ruhl's job is safe. I am not buying it. And I don't imagine a quote like this getting run helps. But I believe it's 1,000% working. I just know no one can see it. And I apologize. I tell our team all the time, it took Jay-Z like seven years. It took him seven years.

He had to start his own agency to become famous, to become. I'm an overnight sensation. Like, it takes time. And he says it, and we've spoke one of them. It seems like a really nice guy, good dude. But I don't know, man. This, this, that thing I saw when I saw a rap sheet's report this morning that Sam Donald was going to play and come in after a couple series.

And it's like everything he does with this quarterback position is weird. Just start Sam Darnold. Like, what are we even doing in the first place here? Having Camp start the game and then lifting him after the second position. possession ends in an interception. It's like, all right, but what are we doing here? I just don't understand the game plan in Charlotte. Maybe it was like give Cam one last start in Carolina. I don't know. Yeah, it, because I think Darnold will probably start the next couple of weeks, which makes some sense, by the way, not that it not that it really matters. Like the Panthers fans

booing him. He's talking all about the process. The Jay-Z thing felt like, you know, how, you know, the Steve Bishemi mean? Like, how are you doing their kids? Like, what? First of all, like, reasonable doubt. Like, Jayzie's first record is like one of the great, great first records ever, so that part didn't even make sense to me. I don't know. Him talking about the process, it sounded like he was making a case for his job. Oh, I think entirely, I think entirely because, I mean, you know, there was a lot of hope

around Matt Rule, and then the wheels have come off in a fierce way. They chanted fire rule during the game. Right. It kind of made me think of, like, I know that I've been tough on Teddy Bridgewater, largely because, like, Greg pumps him up as, like, someone that came down from the heavens. But when you think about Teddy Bridgewater mentioning that this offense was disorganized the year ago, well, a year later, it is extremely disorganized. And they fired the offensive coordinator that Teddy was critiquing.

So it's like you go back through the roots of what's happening here, and it's not been a great plan and it's not working. It doesn't visually look pleasing. And let's just one thing, Greg, clearing up the meme that you were referencing. Steve Buscemi saying, how do you do, fellow kids? I mean, I sounded like Steve Buscemi. They were trying to say. After the game, Antonio Brown also got very snippy with a reporter who dared to ask him

about all the nonsense that surrounds him as a person, not a player as a person, and shut down a reporter who was their first chance to have a conversation with Brown about his suspension tied to the fake vaccine card. And he was kind of a jerk about it. So, I mean, this is, Antonio Brown is a jerk, but he's productive, and he was again today. And he's an important part of their offense, whether we like it or not, because with Mike Evans ailing, with Chris Godwin out of the picture, with Lenny Fernett out, Tom Brady needs an Antonio Brown, and he was there for him. So that's a big development for them on the field. Super Bowl teams have tons of jerks on them. I mean, this is just that no one's, if they win the Super Bowl, no one's going to care that Antonio Brown was on this team at all. no one will all right let's now move to houston upset alert or is it i mean with

covid it's hard to really make sense of any of this but a team that was expected to win did not this game was played in texas mills quick pass nico at the five nico in the end zone the dagger touchdown houston my goodness they're going to do it i love it oh yeah rickie Good job. Give the Texans the bongos. They deserve it. Come. Come. Come. Come. Come. Mark Van Damir, K-I-L-T with a call. Davis Mills and Nico Collins connected on the clinching touchdown. Rex Burke had ran for a career high. 149 yards and two touchdowns. And the Texans took advantage of three turnovers to beat the charges, 4129. This game featured two teams that are missing more than a dozen.

players each because of COVID-19 protocols. Gregi, David Cully has these Texans fighting hard to the end. And playing aggressive on offense, I said it a week ago with how they closed out that Jaguars game. I was even more struck in this game that with a small lead, a one-score lead in the red zone with under four minutes to go, instead of trying to bleed clock on first down, they got Davis Mills throwing slants because he's shown he's pretty good at throwing slants. Mills is playing good controlled football.

This was one of his best games because it didn't have the kind of mental mistake, rookie mistake that he usually has even in his good games. He had two baller throws in the first half. And it really felt like in another world, like this was like a quarterback shootout between him and Herbert. There were very few stops in this game. You look at Herbert's line and you think like, oh, Herbert struggled. they only got stopped, you know, they didn't punt the whole game, the Chargers.

You know, they fumbled it once, and Herbert got picked off once where he got a little too aggressive. It was just they couldn't keep up with Davis Mills and the Texans. I don't know. I mean, I look back on, I mean, do we not like this, some of these COVID situations, it's like, okay, cool, like I'm glad for Davis Mills, but no Austin Ecculler, no Mike Williams, Corey Lindley's out. I mean, these things matter. And I mean, it's Bosa was out, Jones was out. They were missing 14, plus. players or 13 players, but guess what? The Texans were missing 18. No, I know. So, including like Brandon Cook. So it's just like it's crazy. They were missing

over 30 total players in this game. You're right. It's hard to know what to know. It was the first press conference where, you know, reporters coming out of it said that Brandon Staley, who has been one of the best young coaches in front of the mic around, had a bit of a thousand yards stare that it just, I think it took a lot out of them. And I understand that. It's frustrating if you're a Chargers fan because, yes, you could point to the COVID issues. but yes, both teams had to deal with it. At the end of the day, with two games remaining in the regular season, the chargers are kind of right back where they always seem to be.

They're at eight and seven, and the season go one way or another, and they've let a lot of winnable games get away. And I wouldn't say they're chargering in the same way we know them to charger in the past, but to not be able to close out the chiefs at home on Thursday night, which could be turned out to be a turning point in their season. And then to follow that up with a road game against Houston, where you just get outplayed.

You just get beat. Your defense gets beat up on by Davis Mills. And here we are. Now they're 9-8. We'll see what they have. And if we talk, Brandon Staley, very good on Mike, we'll learn a lot about him as a coach. We're going to learn a lot about Justin Herbert.

How does this season end for the Chargers? Yes, they got the Broncos and Raiders next. So division opponents, winnable games. You probably have to win them both. It was interesting. See, that old story, the old friend, the Chargers run, defense get lit up for 189 yards by Rex Burkhead and Royce Freeman. Royce Freeman's not even like the best random Freeman picked up off the street that's running

the ball. Like that's Devante. Like, like, it was crazy to see them going up and down the field running the ball with those two guys. Hard to believe. All right. Let's take a break and then check in on the AFC West. 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. Now, I'm Drew Franklin. 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 IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Toyota, the official.

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Snaps it off, wide open, first down the row, deep into territory. He's at the Broncos, 35-yard line. Way to go. They cross everybody up. Raiders are headed for their eighth win. Brent Musburger, of course, with the call for KRLV. On third and two from their own 36-yard line nursing a four-point lead late in the fourth quarter, Derek Carr didn't do what was expected, which would have been handing the ball off to Josh Jacobs,

who had done damage all game. And said he dropped back to pass, dropped the teardrop into the hands of Foster Moreau, whose 28-yard pickup allowed the Raiders to run out the clock on that 17-13 win. And after the play as he was jogging down field, he, in inanimate way, pointed at the Raider's sideline during the celebration, potentially not to Greg Olson. I don't know. Maybe Greg Olson's upstairs, the offense coordinator? I don't know. But he was happy that they gave the ball to him and said win the game, and he did.

So here are the Raiders again. I was dismiss of them after the Brown's win. Everyone was, it seemed like. But the Raiders now find a way to beat a Broncos. team that's not very good, but it's still a good win for a team that are not collapsing in December like in past years. In fact, if these two wins, they are right in the mix still in the AFC. What was going on with Denver's ground game, which has been spicy at moments. I love Javanta Williams, but they had, what, 15 yards on the ground? I mean, this is not a two big,

here's two big backs had eight yards total on 14 carries. Here's the thing. I want to, Derek Carr had a miserable interception right before the half on a screen pass where Bradley Chubb jumped up, grabbed it, took it to the goal line. They went in a play later. And that was such a big play in this game because it wasn't high scoring and it just kept things close. But the Raiders dominated this game. The Broncos could not get anything going on the ground through the air.

And that's what you're seeing in that game. The Vegas defense, which has not always been a big time unit, stepped up here. Of course, it's Drew Locke that's prominently involved and you always have to factor these things in. Who's the quarterback playing? Teddy Bridgewater suffered that scary head injury. He was held out as a precaution. Lock didn't do much. But, yeah, when the running game wasn't there to pick up the load, that was it for a team that didn't really even have the ball that much. If you look at the breakdown of the game, they only had eight first downs the whole game. They only ran 40 total plays 158 yards. So the offense of the Raiders still

not very good. Darren Waller out of the lineup, but the defense took care of an inferior unit. I guess you could say, Greg, because I know you like to get your little Teddy Bridgewater celebrations in where you can. No, I'm not going. This might be a different outcome with a more proficient guy at the controls of the offense.

I mean, they probably would have had more than, yeah, they probably would have had more than eight first downs. Although three drives, I got to say, ended on plays receivers could have made. Drops for Drew Locke. I did watch this one trying to knock it out early and they were just, Jerry Judy had a really bad drop.

I think that's one. It's tough to give Albertoe a drop on that last drive where the Broncos still had a chance to go win the game, but he had a chance to make a play that would have put them deep into field goal range and they didn't make the play. You've got to be pretty bad to win the turnover battle three to nothing and lose the game to the Raiders.

I mean, two of the Broncos, your 10 of the Broncos points, as you mentioned, came on drives totaling five. five yards. So it's like they basically didn't move the ball the whole game. That's pretty rough. And you're right. Raiders are eight and seven.

So they're tied with the chargers and the Ravens as we speak now for that last spot. Technically the Ravens have the tiebreaker now. It doesn't really matter. But those three are all at eight and seven and the dolphins can join them on Monday. I do wonder if we find out that Derek Carr is more banged up. I know he finished the game, but he looked like he had separated a shoulder at one point. He's a tough dude, man. He went to the blue tent.

He went into the blue tent to the point where the announcing team confidently said a new quarterback was coming into the game. And then you came back from break. And there's Derek Carr on the huddle. So unless you break his leg or, yeah, break his leg, basically. He is playing football for your team, which also should be considered when you talk about Derek Carr, the quarterback who's not a great quarterback. But he's not as bad as the people want to tell you also. He's good. He's a good quarterback.

Is that good enough for you? It should be. If you have a good quarterback, you surround him with a really good team. Cranky, you can go places in our league. I don't think he'll be there a year from now, but I agree with you. Really? No. I do.

He's very cheap under contract next year. I don't think it's because they wouldn't want him. I think that we're going to get another scenario where he's going to want out because he's not into rebuilding with that club. I mean, we'll see. Interesting. This was a John Gruden fever dream game. He loves games like this. I wonder if he's watching somewhere.

I imagine he is, but who knows? All right, so from one AFC contender or a wildcard contender that we don't really believe in necessarily to another in the NFC, let's go to Atlanta. Craig Reynolds out of the backfield. Here's Boyle throwing intercepted. Foye A. Luickin is going to win it for Atlanta.

Shorten to the sweet, West Durham, WZGC with the call. Good call. Matt Ryan threw a tie-breaking 12-yard touchdown passed to Hayden Hearst early in the fourth quarter. The Falcons got that late interception from Foyer Alouacan to beat the Lions, 2016, preserving their

playoffs, hopes, slim as they may be. Atlanta improved to 7 and 2 and 1 possession games, including four wins by no more than 4 points. Mark, to quote, Adam F. Duritz. The Falcons are hanging around

this town on the corner. they are they are and the lions i mean conversely are one six and one and one score games it feels like they're i'm 41 okay uh go ahead i don't know where to go from after that dent like i we can go into a counting crow's discussion if you'd like instead i i mean this game felt what are you holding over your shoulder you look like john snow right now what it's just you've been wrapping that sweat around your neck at various points in the show it's there is a win I understand that I'm in Los Angeles, so there's no complaints, but it's freezing in this. Do you want to pull that over your head and just really snug up here for the balance of the show?

We could stop down a second. I mean, I want to be taken like in a van to like the middle of the country and just dropped into the night at this point. I want, we're doing the best we can here. But if you'd like to hear about the game, I'm happy to tell you one or two times. Have you been tracking this thing on his shoulder the whole show? And it's been a little bit like. Yeah. Well, especially when he was getting annoyed at me talking about Belichick earlier, he was

actually like wrapping it around his neck in a way that it looked like it might cut off circulation I was no because I was like I hate when people do this thing where they that's like the 80s bad guy the right like I hate that stuff so I was just putting it over one shoulder to warm that region but you're like you're like wrapping it around the neck many times and I saw a vein popping out or something it's almost like he was pantomiming what he wanted to do to you at that exact moment grant I'm feeling better about about you must have enjoyed this game It was over at 12.45. It was over.

I looked up. It was 12.45 p.m. here on the West Coast. And the game had ended. That has to be the quickest NFL game in this entire season. I think one of the reasons that happened was that the lions, and this is so true to their nature, kept going for it on fourth down over and over. And they kept succeeding in keeping drives alive. It moved at a quick pace.

They didn't get the dominant ground game that they've gotten in other weeks, but there is something, and I know it was Tim Boyle, and there's not much, this team is gone at this point, but Tim Boyle played well, and I'm on Ross St. Brown, 91 yards in a touchdown again. Like, that's my takeaway is that you've got a wide receiver to build around here. He's been really good. And if you're the, if this is your fantasy team related, Dan, but Kyle Pitts made two or three plays in this game that we already know he's amazing,

but he had a breakout game that helped set up points for them over and over and did a couple of things that just visually were magnetic. It still looked like a lot of other Falcons games where it's like the defense gets tricked here and there. It wasn't a terrible performance, but Matt Ryan has zero protection. He's getting hammered left and right, but does just enough Matt Ryan things to keep it alive.

And it came down to the end. And I did enjoy to some degree because of the pace, but it wouldn't be the football game. I'd sign up to watch, you know, 7,000 times on a VCR tape in the early 80s. What I used to do? Go ahead. Go ahead, Greg. I was just saying, I know you were pumping that fist when the Lions kicked that field goal under four minutes to go.

Yes. To make it only a four-point game and get it raining inside that Georgia dough. We got another big week for the Rainmaker. The Browns came through on Saturday night. The Lions come through on Sunday 2 and 0 up to 5-0. I think I'm ending the Rainmaker after going 5-0 right. This is the tremendous disconnect. you screaming into a microphone that the Browns came through.

I couldn't feel any different about the result. I saw some people tweeting at us saying they made some Christmas things, which they really shouldn't. This is what I'm telling you. And this is why you have to have an altruistic viewpoint on this grade. It can't be just about you. I want to retire 5 and 0. No, you have paid for Christmas. You're paying for braces.

You're paying for car payments. You're paying for prep school. You're paying for plumbing issues. You're playing for the new roof. This is your chance to give. back to the community of fans that have given so much to you, Greg. Well, they're going to need a new roof with all this rain coming down. Nice. I love it, Greg. That's awesome. Good, good comeback. And I'm on fire with you right now.

And now I'll have to do something I didn't want to do because I didn't even want to give them the respect of checking the NFC playoff picture. But you know what, Falcons, you've won enough close games where I don't recognize you as a true player in this thing, but you are in the mix. So where are you? You're seven and eight. You're third in the NFC South. You're in 10th place with a schedule favorable because you have the Lions up next. Okay. There you go. That's my check in on the Falcons.

Well, then all the Lions up next, but they, they would be back to back games against the Lions. Oh, sorry. That's, that's on NFL.com who should be updating their playoff picture. They have the bills up next. And again, you guys have the bills in the Super Bowl. So NFL.com. How could we be putting up a playoff picture on our website that's not updated by Sunday night? What are we doing?

I'll say no more. I'll say no more. You just hung out the old Zusser to dry in the middle of the around the NFL podcast, the award winning around the NFL podcast. I went to our website and you hung me out to dry. Well, I think you appropriately took your employer and threw them under a moving bus. After they threw me under the same bus. It was deserved and you did it.

You know what I did? Get.com up to snuff, please. I peeled my body off the pavement after. after they got me backed over with the bus. And I chased them down like the Steelers zombie. And I grabbed whoever's running NFL.com. And I threw that son of a bitch under the bus. And then he got rolled over by the same bus.

Could be a she, but that's fair. But are, no, are you quietly annoyed? Didn't you just recap the Lions Falcons? I mean, you could have adjusted there. Are you annoyed, Dan, that I pointed out the air verbally. Should I have just let it slide? No, you know what? I think it's important.

I think it's important. They're only one back. I mean, that's a fact. There's two weeks left in the season, and the Falcons are one game back. Those are just the facts. They're hanging around this town on the corner. Let's move to the Meadowlands.

Here they come. Wilson alludes the rush. He's going to take off. He's got plenty of running room, and he's going to scamper for a big game, 30, 25, still in bounds at the 20, makes a miss at the 10. He could go.

Wilson dives. Touchdown. Touchdown, New York Jets. Zach Wilson on a 55-yard scamper. breaking tackles, staying in bounds. And just like that, the JETS are on the board. It's 6th Street, New York. Mm-hmm, the boy.

The boy made a play. All hail the boy. Bob was choosing with the call for WEPN. Zach Wilson did something no other jet quarterback had ever done. He ran a touchdown, 55 yards on the ground, going around, going around Jacksonville defenders. One defender thought he was going out of bounds and he said, whoops, see you later.

And his stayed inbounds, tiptoed to the sideline, down the sideline and into the end zone. It did remind me and many other Jets fans that are feeling a lot of trepidation about this latest Jets quarterback who is supposed to be the future. There is a lot of athleticism and a lot to like about him as a physical prospect. He throws the hell out of the ball. He really moves well in the pocket. If there's been a lot of negatives, but we've seen week after week how well he evades pressure

is able to reset. He's not making plays once he resets his feet, but he's putting himself in position to do that, and maybe one day he will. So that's optimism. I'll give you a little optimism there as a Jets fan. And they got a defensive goal line stand at the end after Trevor Lawrence used his legs to set up the Jaguars at the goal line, but the Jags in their Jaguar ways did not get up to the line with everyone known what to do. The whole play was out of whack leading to an incomplete pass, sealing a 26-20 win. 21 win for the Jets. I saw Brian Costello.

I like Brian Costello. He's been a longtime beat writer of the New York Post, but he had one of those sardonic kind of pessimistic tweets, like, enjoy the wind now, lamented come the dream. draft or whatever. And I'm just like, I don't want to hear it anymore. I want, I know that this hurts the Jets in their draft positioning. And I would have been okay if they would have lost this game. But I don't, we don't need beat reporters, cynical beat reporters telling the fans that they shouldn't be rooting for it. In fact, I want to play something for you guys. My brother, Kevin Danger Hanses is home for the holidays. Watch the game with Keith Hansis. And my dad's a big

proponent of I watched the Jets hoping to see a win. My dad is not about tanking. Tanking. His joy comes from the Jets winning. It doesn't matter what the situation is in the season. My brother was nice enough to get us some real content here and got a hidden recording of Keith on the play before the big stop at the goal line. A pass was thrown by Trevor Lawrence right into the hands of C.J. Mosley went through his hands and for a complete pass for Jacksonville at the one-yard line. And this was Keith's reaction to a near interception by Mosley that turned into a completion for the Jaguars.

I didn't went right through his hands. It went through 57's hands. Oh. I can't believe it. He didn't catch it. Oh, my God. Oh, man. That's a fan.

My dad's a real one. And you know what? He was rewarded with a stop and a win. Drap positioning, be damned. Well, and also, like, if you can get some sparks out of Zach Wilson, you're going into next year with him as your quarterback, barring, like, stuff that becomes more common in these days, like the Kylo Murray move. But I would just say that probably they are.

Like, I don't need them to have a number one pick and, like, get some momentum. And I know your head coach wasn't even coaching this game. And, you know, Ron Middleton, you know, former NFL tight end is one of like 18 guys to win games without the head coach in there. But I am with your dad, a little bit of optimism to close what's been a ghastly campaign otherwise. Yes. And they were, the Jets were missing like 20 players. 20 on the COVID list. So they had.

And their head coach. It's a nice win. I don't care who it's against. Right. I agree. But it was a really disappointing final sequence. I mean, admittedly, this is the only sequence I watch of this play. this game, but make a play, Trevor Lawrence.

I mean, you get into that position. First of all, and I know Jaguars fans have been talking about this, there's some disagreement. It's like he had one cornerback to beat to maybe go score a touchdown. I know he was thinking about stopping the clock and staying in bounds, but it's like you are this big, great runner. Go make a guy miss. And if you get tackled, you still had time.

That was not that big a concern. And then to back that up with, I think they had an incompletion on first, down, you should have thrown up what would have been a game interception to Mosley, then they spike it. I don't know if that's his decision or the coach, but they were so discombobulated. They spike it with plenty of time left on third down. That was crazy.

And then they can't get set up for fourth time. It's not all on Lawrence, but he did make some bad plays there. And he definitely was not calm under pressure. It was one of those plays where even if you're not someone that understands the nuances of pre-snap alignments and what's allowed to happen and what's not, and I count myself as one of those people. You knew, oh, this is going to be a penalty because there's guys moving all over the place in front of Lawrence.

And the play-by-play guys did make the call, which in retrospect, I mean, hindsight is 2020, but Trevor Lawrence probably was better off taking a delay of game. It was so out of whack. It was the last play of game. The clock was stopped. And then you could have your fourth and goal from the six-yard line, maybe even a little bit more space to work with and try to win the game. So, yeah, in a season filled with disappointment for,

first round pick quarterbacks. I agree with you. I thought that Lawrence did a lot of good things in this game. I thought he probably outplayed Zach Wilson in a lot of ways, but Zach Wilson made, had two touchdowns, no turnovers, and Lawrence wasn't able to make the big play. And it hasn't happened enough this year, like Lawrence making the big play. One little mini, he wasn't ready for that moment. And that's fine. He's a rookie. But some rookies are ready a little more under control of what to do in that situation. He's been put in a terrible situation. But I mean, looking to the future of Trevor Lawrence, like the, it was rap sheet that reported that it's Byron Lefwich, Jim Caldwell and Doug Peterson,

who are on the early radar as head coaching candidates for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2022. Man, they have to get this higher right. And somebody with experience that, you know, is going to be able to run a ship in a professional way. That makes sense. And all those names kind of check those boxes. So we shall see what happens with the Jags, but we won't learn about that a couple more weeks. Let's take a break and then finish off the week 16 Sunday. 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. basketball 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. Now, 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, 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. Bears are going for the win here. Foles gun lifts his right leg, moves to his right, jacking it, throw it back of the end zone, catch made, and he couldn't hang on. They're going to say it's good for the two-pointer. Demir Bird back of the end zone. It is good. And the Bears have the lead, 25, 24 here in Seattle.

Thank you, Bears, by the way, as a Jets fan. Jeff Joniak with the call WBBM, Bears don't care. Nick Foles through a late touchdown pass and with a chance to tie the game. Matt Nagy said, F it, let's go for the two-point conversion. Converted successfully, thanks to a beautiful, beautiful catch by Wider receiver, Demir Byrd. Chicago followed with a stop on defense and the Bears steal a 25-24 win over the Seahawks in Snowy Seattle. Greg, that was unbelievable that sequence the Jimmy Graham touchdown and then what a play by By Bird. It was such a great ending for this game.

I mean, of course, the game wasn't too exciting. It was a snow game. But Nick Foles had one of the more exciting game-winning touchdown drives of the entire season. He gets the ball back after the Seahawks totally blow it. The game should have been. been over. They had a second down with three minutes left at the bear's 28-yard line. Russell Wilson takes a terrible sack that Carol gets on him about after the game. They missed the field goal. And then Foles goes right down the field, like a 30-yard play on the first snap where he gets hit. And then you mentioned it. That Graham catch was like, I don't know. I know Jimmy Graham's not very good anymore, but it got me thinking, like, could Jimmy Graham just catch those jump balls

until he was like 47? Like, that's the only thing he can do. But he still. He's still great at it. It was a third and long, too. Yeah, it's like a Knicks fan. Like, it reminded me of late period Patrick Ewing where he lost a lot of his athleticism. But sometime against, like, an inferior opponent, you could just pour it to him in the paint and he could do an old move to get a bucket. Like, he's, that's what Jimmy Graham is, like 34-year-old Patrick Ewing.

I mean, yeah, and Foll has turned back the clock. I thought it had a solid game overall. And then the catch that Demir Byrd made, I don't blame the play-by-play guy for thinking he was going to go out of bounds because there was no. way he should have. He somehow reached it out, reached out, caught it with one hand in total traffic, looked like he was going to get pushed out, got his shin down, and Damir Bird is a hero. It made one of the plays of the year. That was a sick catch. To not only to survive the initial throw in coverage, to come down, stay in bounds, and then hold onto it with one hand. One of the

catches of the year. Yep. In inclement weather. And it kind of, it completely masks what I thought was an incredible performance, Seahawks-wise, from Carlos Dunlap, who was all over the place, Rashad Penny. And, you know, after the game, listening to Pete Carroll, he just seemed a little more listless and willing to accept total responsibility and defeat. He couldn't believe they lost. I couldn't believe they lost this game either. But they play to keep games close with their style.

And, yeah, when you face BDN, old Nick Foles, he's still got that BDN energy sometimes. get it done. He has it whenever he wants it. I want to make a prediction that this is the week. We've been kind of, we've been waiting for it. This is the week where we get the capital T, capital S story, the story from someone, a leak out of Seattle, either about Pete Carroll or about Russell Wilson. It's going to heat up coming off an ugly loss like this.

Yeah, I think that the time is ripe. All right, the time is ripe for us to move on. to Sunday night football. Oh, Sunday night. MP backfield, four-man rush. And that is intercepted. It's the Marcus Lawrence down the sideline. He goes.

And look at that. Into the end zone. Boy, I tell you, if it's not Diggs, it's not Parsons, it's not Gregory. Don't forget about that guy. Well said by the legend himself, Al Michael. for NBC. The Cowboys authored a masterpiece on Sunday night football.

Yes, the opponent wasn't great, but it was a display of might that should make them a figure of intimidation in the NFC. Final score, 56 to 14, Cowboys over Washington, and you heard Al there, hyping up the defense and all the playmakers

and Clark, including to Marcus Lawrence, which is absolutely true. But then you have to look at the other side and an offense that piled up for Dak Prescott, touchdown passes in the first half alone in building a 42-7 half-time lead. And Mark, that is just like what you're talking about with the Cowboys. Like when they are in full flight, they look as impressive as any team in football.

Yeah, you know, they are becoming a light in the NFC. And I just was thinking towards the second half of this game when like, you know, the actual minute-by-minute details started to fade away into the larger picture that if you track like Super Bowl appearing and Super Bowl winning, teams. They typically have a couple of wins like this. I know it's just a post Thanksgiving its only time, but it's like late in the season where they assure you that they are dominant. And we had been dogging Dallas with a series of questions about their offense sputtering to some degree, not quite reaching its potential, not as many questions about the defense and quite

the opposite. Tonight you saw everything come together. And I think for me it starts with the totally pristine performance of Dak Prescott. He looked healthy. He looked healthy. He looked perfect. He used all his weapons. Amari Cooper has nothing to complain about this week to reporters. It just kind of showed you like there there are a couple teams hanging out there going sideways and in the wrong direction. We've talked about a bunch of them tonight. Dallas suddenly looks completely different to me. Maybe with the way 2021 is, none of this will linger and carry on. But I kind of see that differently because they have, they're one of the rare teams with a defense that can stomp you out. And when the offense plays this way, they are what they were tonight.

Unstoppable. I don't care if it was Washington or anyone else. Right. I mean, Dak was unconscious. At one point, he was 19 for 20 for 2.30. And those throws weren't all easy. I mean, the touchdowns were like the guys were wide open, but he had one throw, full sprint to the left on the money, the type of athletic throw that he hasn't made a ton this year since the injury, another couple on the run to the right. So good. And then when they line up on third downs, it seems like they're kind of going with Gregory on the outside, Parsons on the other side, and then Tank Lawrence and Gallimore inside. Like, good luck. One of those dudes is just going to have some matchup where he wrecks shop. And they did, and Diggs is covering McLaurin. It's fun to see.

And they've had this kind of cupcake schedule here for a while. That ends. Like, they got the Cardinals next week. They got the Eagles in week 18, which probably will matter, because they might be going for that one seed and then they'll have a playoff game and they they're fascinating the these five teams that have all made the nfc playoffs you know just to kind of recap the day you know we knew the packers were in but the cardinals rams uh the cowboys and the bucks are all in now all five of those teams are pretty fascinating teams and the cowboys have the star power to match any of them even their special teams got in the mix in the second half of the punt block um for a touchdown so bones fossil he gets into the mix as well and yeah i think i agree the defense they've been doing

they've been on a massive heater uh they had that streak uh the last three weeks before sunday night where they had the four turnovers this of course another affair filled with interceptions and big plays but i think the dac prescott performance is the one that really does stand out because if if he does get back to the guy of the first four or five weeks and you combine find it with this uber talented playmaking-minded defense. And it's a really well-coached team. I mean, I know Michael McCarthy's gotten some slings and arrows on the show and it's been deserve it in a lot of ways.

But, I mean, he leads a really sound coaching staff. They have an offensive philosophy. Obviously, the defense has really come to life under Dan Quinn. And McCarthy is a good guy to kind of be overlooking it. They just seem really set up well for a playoff run. Now, we've said that about the Cowboys before, and there's a reason why they've gone a quarter century without a Super Bowl birth,

but this version of the Cowboys can beat anybody in the league. It's not just that Washington is totally cooked, and Washington is cooked. Taylor Heineke did not want to be on that field. Neither would I have. If I'm telling reporters that I couldn't even take the laundry basket, down the steps, and then I'm in an NFL game against all these superstar defensive players,

no wonder he had that look in his eye by the third quarter. And I'm glad that we're not making a big, deal out of it. But the Duran Payne, Jonathan Allen thing, I just found interesting, but I don't think it's that uncommon. And like, I guess, just seeing football players. I think it's, I think it's pretty uncommon to, for a guy to try to punch it. To try to punch. Collins Earth was saying he's literally never seen that in a football game. Well, there's people tweeting that it's, they've seen it too many times. I mean, it's not happening every week, but it's one thing like arguing and yelling, but like if he had connected. Ron Rivera knows more than any of us. And Ron Rivera at halftime seemed to not make too

much of it. I mean, it's a passionate game and a guy's obviously getting embarrassed. I mean, Washington, we don't need to dwell on them too long, but to go from where their season was a few weeks ago to just being completely taken out by COVID to this primetime performance. We'll have plenty of time to talk about their future. But you would think near the top of the list is quarterback, not that this was a heineke loss, but they're just not competitive against the big time contender and they need to start trying to get there. I think they're broken down. I mean, these teams at this point, like they went through a, they went through the COVID ringer. Heineke, I think, is shown a lot this season, but not enough to be a starter.

And, you know, Ron Rivera, like, you've got a team where you just, you met the Cowboys at the peak of their powers at the wrong time. And I, like, honestly, you know, Arizona's fade may not be over. I don't like their chances at all against this Cowboys team. If they show up looking like they did tonight, I don't think anyone in the NFC could beat them. It's a good call about, you know, how Washington's broken. down because I think that's going to be a major, so we kind of spin forward like above the tree tops here. COVID, his broken down rosters, obviously it's taking a ton of guys out of the mix, but it's putting other players in a situation where, you know, there's a lot of snaps being

played. It got of guys that have to play through injury because rosters are short and how these teams navigate this, completely unprecedented situation is a huge subplot. And I don't know what it is. And I know, I remember Mark, we talked about it. You did some. some data digging on it. The numbers are similar, but this feels a lot different than last year. Well, it's backloaded. You know, the numbers of players that got COVID in the last week where it was extraordinary and was even higher than the week before.

Like, it's all coming now and it's not slowing down. And it doesn't stop the injuries either. Like Washington lost three defensive starters to injury last week. So that showed up, I think, again. So it's like, it's tough. This happens at the end of every season, but now we got an extra week. there are a handful of teams that are just trying to get to the office. And that tweet couldn't have been more ancient 24 hours after I put it out because of the explosion.

But I think there's something to be looked at that when players come back from COVID, there seems to be a week or two drag in their play. And so when you had these teams that had 19 guys out, they don't come back at maximum force. So it's just, it's a long season. Some of these teams are drifting away into the mist. It's the biggest season ever. No, that's their terminology for it.

Mark, a quote right before we started, I feel close to the edge. So we're going to get out of here, Mark. It has been a bit of a rugged. It is. Did you guys have a nice Christmas? We didn't even, you know, hit that at the top. No, I did not. I think I made that very much.

Yeah, well, that was the football. Well, before that, I will tell you this. Your boys looked happy. I love Christmas. I loved Christmas before I had kids. Now it's even more special. now that I do have kids and my wife and I are very lucky

but it is a lot in the middle of this NFL season especially when it's the day after Christmas this is one of those days where you just we're champions, we're grinders and we're getting through December 26 this is a tough day on the calendar I think we did it though

we did it and before we go I also want to just send a very belated congratulations to our old producer, La Cid. We haven't given her a shoutout on the podcast since she got married. Before she married her Disney Prince, so, you know, all the listeners that made it this deep,

you know, just like firebom her mentions with congratulations. She'll be totally confused because she got married like a month ago at this point. But she took amazing pictures and it's it and she deserves it all. By the way, she's a delightful presence and she married like a bona fide hunk. so I from just from a overall objective standpoint I feel that Dan I'm correct to say that to say that yeah I would say he's he's a haughty and she looks exact I think she always aspired to be a Disney princess and she looks like one and she sings like one and what a producer as well so like one of those like triple threats don't you agree Ricky I do actually and

I was the one that texted Sydney in our group saying congratulations before any of you. And I told you about her wedding and sent her the pictures. So don't make it out. Don't make it out like I'm sitting here. Like, Matt, I was the one that sent the screenshots and was like, you looked amazing.

So Sydney's great. So the fact that in your left hand right now you have a Sydney voodoo doll and you're sticking pins in it, that's not like in a wedding dress. Yeah, no, no, no. That just sits a look alike. Separate situation.

Yeah, right, right. Sydney, we love you. Congratulations. And best of luck to end. everything to come because, yes, now married and hopefully kids on the way that that really does make the holidays special. I loved it. Was your Christmas good, Greg? Oh, yeah, it was great. You're right. Kids make it whole. The big gifts. The boy got a skateboard train set. I mean, it was all, it was fun. It was a lot of fun. It really is like, you know, their best day of the year

or it's up there you know you hope it like reaches like their expectations then it does and you feel like you watch the children's best day to screw it up too so right that's true it's like mark's worst day of the year kids best day of the year no no no like like you asked me I think we think overall it was I would call it a mixed bag of a day but the better part um with the children was was fantastic it was tough you know we're watching those games on Saturday and it was like shoot this is what we were worried about with that with how that Saturday was going to play out But you've came through it all right again, Mark. You've been such a pro during this take slump, I have to say.

I got to figure out something to put it down on the resume. It's like, well, we'll make wrong takes. We'll continue to show up and punch the clock and, you know, do the thing. All right, good stuff. We'll be back on Tuesday, the return of Connie Fox. She'll be sitting on the show on Tuesday. So make sure you check that out. Thank you for everybody for listening.

Merry Christmas. happy boxing day and New Year's Eve coming up right around the corner still the holiday season get loose everybody all right till then Tuesday that is heed the call Hey, Daniel Jeremiah here. 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. Don't miss it. Listen to the Move the Sticks podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, 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. This is an IHeart podcast.