NFL Daily with Gregg Rosenthal - 2022 Week 17 Recap: Happy New Year!

Episode Date: January 2, 2023

A room filled with some heroes - Dan Hanzus, Marc Sessler and Gregg Rosenthal recap all the Week 17 action from a busy New Years Day, starting with Vikings at Packers (3:18) and 49ers at Raiders (11:42). Nick Shook returns to help cover Saints at Eagles (20:49) and Browns at Commanders (29:33). Next, the heroes hit Panthers at Buccaneers (37:14) followed by Dolphins at Patriots (44:52), Jets at Seahawks (52:39), Bears at Lions (1:02:15), Colts at Giants (1:10:32), Rams at Chargers (1:17:45), Broncos at Chiefs (1:20:56), Jaguars at Texans (1:27:22), Cardinals at Falcons (1:31:57), and finally finishing with Steelers at Ravens on Sunday Night Football (1:33:58).  Note: timecodes approximate.NFL Daily YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nflpodcastsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an I-Heart podcast. The Around the NFL podcast. Would never tank for a better draft pick. From the Chris Wesleying podcast studio, it's Around the NFL. The podcast. The flagship show. Week 17, I'm Dan Hansus.

Heroes here, Greg Rosenthal and Mark Sessler. Hey, boys. Penultimate. one of my favorite words. Penultimate week of the regular season. I did wake up at about 3.14 a.m. Uh-huh. Nice joke, not you slapped it at all.

That's good. No, I did fall asleep, deep into a deep sleep, and woke up in that mind haze where I would convince myself that not that this was the final week of the season because it was week 17. I just thought it was week 18. Right, me too.

And then about 27 seconds later, as consciousness started to take over, I was slapped in the face psychologically. Hard. It's been a tough one. It's been a year, like, we are remarkably fortunate to have the jobs that we do. We love these jobs.

We love these jobs. But when the calendar falls every five or six or seven years, when things lined up, happy new year, everybody. And we have a full slate of games, for instance, I'll be having some ibuprofen rolled in here shortly because the bullet whiskey that I had last night for New Year's Eve. Still in the system. Hasn't left yet. Well, I mean, I'm sober, but in my head, pain.

I also thought this was the end of the regular season right before it. And then I think that was just like a mind-crown. Week 17, I feel like is like that because it feels like the end often. We get rid of a lot of teams. A lot of tickets are punched. And the 18, the last week, often feels like a little bit of anticlimactic. So maybe we can push the NFL to just end the regular season a week early. I don't know how that would work.

Yeah, I'm sure that would lose. I think we've already been through that negotiation. A single dollar loss would negate that as an option. And since you mentioned it, Let's say goodbye to some teams before we get into the rundown. A little spoiler for people out there. The following teams have been officially eliminated. Mark, this will lift your spirits.

Take them out of your brain. Not all of them, but okay, some. The Washington commanders, the Las Vegas rioters, the New Orleans Saints, the Carolina Panthers. And yes, the New York Jets. The Jets doesn't make me happy And the Panthers doesn't make me happy either This was a season of sneaky collapses

For a lot of teams out of nowhere We just mentioned a couple of it We'll get to it Let's start though With a game that was not closely contested But very interesting in the scheme Of the NFC And the race for the Lombardi Trophy

increasingly looking as if maybe both these teams will be playing in the postseason. Certainly one, and the one that's definitely in, was licking their wounds at the end of Sunday's action. Set up. Out of the shot, I know that I need Iburopin. He fires it over the middle, and it's broken up incomplete. Interceptive. Intercepted on the reflection, picked off by Darnell Savage, down the left side of the 40. He's got an escort to the 20, 15, 10, 5.

Touchdown, Green Bay Packers, my goodness. That is what you call a tone setter for the Green Bay Packers who, with their playoff lives on the line, absolutely housed the fraudulent Minnesota Vikings. 41 to 17 at Lambeau Field. That was Darnell Savage. Yes, with the picks. and it only got uglier than there for the Vikings who entered the game at 12 and 3.

Final score 4117, Greg Rosenthal, but this was a game that was 41-3 with 10 minutes to go. And this is now, you know, not the first time the supposedly mighty Vikings have been absolutely trounced by a half-decent team. They trailed by more than 20 at halftime for the third time this year. That's the most of any team in the NFL, along them tied with the Texans. I'm glad we started with the Savage.

return because this defense, and I'll throw the special teams in there, too, with Kishan Nixon, who's been dynamite lately and had the first touchdown of the game, 105-yard kickoff return. But it's really been the defense and the special teams that's helped turn this season around. And the defense in this game was put on the field at the one-yard line after the Packers had an early punt block, and they had a terrific goal line stand, three straight stuffs of the Vikings, force a field goal. Then they get the return touchdown. They get the interception return touchdown.

And Jaya Alexander had one of the best games. Any cornerback has had all season long. He traveled with Justin Jefferson for most of the day. More than half of the past routes that Jefferson ran, Alexander was on him. On those 20 routes, targeted five times, only one catch by Jefferson and pass his defense. It didn't matter what the Packers' offense did in this game.

the defense and the special teams won it for them. It makes you think about the Packers in a different way because they had all their issues all season long. And a lot of it was just focused on where's the MVP version of Rogers? Why is this offense lacking, you know, pre-Christian Watson, a viable wide receiver? What happened to the defense that was supposed to be so good, right? And the defense, you know, in certain metrical ways, like, looked promising. But today, to your point, Greg, like the Nixon kick return, the Darnel Savage pick six,

These things happened at a point in the first quarter where they're up 14 points, and they had 15 yards on offense. So it's like the offense, this isn't just rise and fall with Aaron Rogers every week. And I mean, Jaya Alexander did not track with Justin Jefferson in that week one game nearly as much. And that's when he had 184 yards. He had zero in the first half. This is one of those games. The Vikings have done this. That Dallas game, they gave up 40 points.

36th in that collapse to the Colts. 34 to the Lions, 30 to the bills. Your defense is who you're stuck with in Minnesota right now. And I thought that Alexander defeated Justin Jefferson, who entered the game as a sneaky MVP contender if you wanted to look at a wide receiver as even having an opportunity in that realm. And he beat him mentally and physically. And leading into the week, he had the comments at his locker,

calling that huge week won by Jefferson against Green Bay a fluke. And you could see once Jefferson was getting frustrated on the field, and Alexander is playing great and the Vikings offense was just completely asleep. Jefferson kind of losing his cool and unable to kind of process the moment and stay in the game. At one point he almost bashed an official's over the back

like Randy Savage hitting Hulk Hogan with a steel chair in WrestleMania 5. It was like a complete meltdown from Minnesota. Right. He didn't know the official that was there and he like lifted his helmet as if to slam it down, ran into the official and then sort of realized. It was really bad. It could have been horrible.

I'm glad that it didn't happen that way. I know Vikings fans have gotten on us for not giving them the credit due left and right and talking about the offense leaving everyone else by the side of the road. But there is a stretch here. When the game was manageable and they unfurl an interception, they miss a field goal, another interception, then a miss field goal, then a fumble, then a pick, and then a bunch of garbage time nonsense. It's like this is the version of the Vikings that is very hard to trust. But to be fair, the one thing they've done better than almost any team this year is play clean football.

They have not been a turnover team. They've not been a penalized team. They've not been a pre-snap penalty team. And they were all of that today. So collapse. The Kenny Clark forced fumble was another big defensive play. Cousins melted down a little bit on that force fumble play. Cousins didn't see that immediately before the snap, Justin Jefferson, was covered by Preston Smith, a defensive lineman.

and Kirk Cousins held the ball and then it got taken away and he was fritzing out and partly because he lost his center immediately in this game who was already their backup center and Romo pointed out smartly I think like they couldn't change the call

so they're on their third string center they might get him back but their other offensive linemen that left this game was Brian O'Neill their right tackle who was carted off so it was really a nightmare scenario for the Vikings possibly letting the Packers into the playoffs

probably losing the next number two seed definitely losing home field advantage chance and you're starting to look at you know you start to peek ahead and with the playoffs uh could look like the giants will get to they're in the dance and there's a very good chance now you could be a giant's viking rematch those teams played very closely on christmas eve and and the vikings might even if that ends up happening or whoever they get in round one they might sneak out another close win but do not tell me that this team is a serious super bowl contender i don't want to hear it i've seen it too many times this year. You may win a close game in round one, but you are fodder, cannon fodder at some

point in January. I've just seen too much this year. It's almost in a lock that they will win a playoff game in the fashion they've won all these other insane games. Probably a big comeback. Right. And we'll think, you know what? They can do that against whoever they're playing the next week and then the floor will fall out because you cannot run away from this defense. Well, they'll probably have to play two road games against two really good teams now. So this will have an impact. They're now negative 19 on the season in terms of their point differential. 12 and 14. They're 12 and 4.

The Packers and the Lions are both plus point differential at 8 and 8. And the Packers, even though Rogers didn't play an amazing game and like every part of their team hasn't always been perfect week to week, they're playing their best football without a doubt right now. And I'd much rather be playing the Giants or the Vikings for that matter in round one of the playoffs than the Packers. Oh, I wouldn't want to touch Green Bay. But we will see.

We'll see. We got a lot to talk about. These other NFC teams have to be slightly agitated at the Vikings for just allowing the Green Bay to waltz into the scenario here. How are you, by the way, Mark, because I know you didn't want Green Bay anyway near the postseason. I think differently about them because you know what I don't like is the 13 and 3 team that you, they fold the tent and they've done that over and over. This team is weird. I don't think you like any version of the Packers. I'm honestly like this, they're not on my radars and I know.

concept right now, they're kind of the opposite. I do like, though, because it's the Packers, how Mark agreed that he'd be the one to pay the charity, the Green Bay based charity, if they end up making it as the four teams. They need to win one more game. They're winning in now. I get to pick what the charity is, though. Yes. I mean, I

would suggest something like an orphanage or a local food bank. That's what you would suggest. We'll see. I'll come up with something. It can't be something that goes back to you through some type of Swiss Bank account. It's like, who do I want to help? Who do I feel is It does not benefit you, though, Mark. In terms of the four committee, we need to have some level of...

I'm not trying to launder money back into my bank account. I'm saying I might just pick an atypical target. All right. So we mentioned that the Vikings finally left an opening now for San Francisco to move up in the NFC seating. Did they take advantage of it? To the desert. It's pretty good for a guy with a headache. Bysted, I'm going to throw up for Devante Adams.

It's intercepted. Yes. Yes. Thank you, Eric. Back the other right, 30, 20, 10, 5, he's out of bounds. Eric just brought me pills. Like Judy Garland. Now it's on the three-yard line.

Do you bring in Robbie right now and kick it? How do you handle this? Kick it. Yes, there it is. Bongoes. Oh, it deserves it. Wild game. Yeah.

Bongos. As I pop my pills. I mean, if we're requesting substances from behind the glass, I mean, I know what Greg would ask for. Oh, stop. As would I. Greg Papa with the call, K-N-B-R. Big interception in overtime by the Niners,

who finally have a really down day on defense. Jared Stidham, of all people, lights them up, including a late drive to tie the game and push it into overtime. But when it came down to it, they got the big stop in overtime, kick the field goal subsequently, and escape 37-34. So yet another win for the Niners and the Raiders. Yes, eliminated with the loss.

Mark Sessler, your thoughts? A totally bizarre occurrence because we spent all week thinking, well, you've essentially given up on your season because in a solid quarterback in Derrick Carr, he's been flushed out of the organization at this point. He's unfollowed him on social media. The last time we saw Jarrett Stidham play, it was like you're just asking to get romped two games in a row to end the season.

and Josh McDaniel somehow protected all of this mess. Stidham looked incredible. I mean, he's never thrown for more than, I believe, 75 yards in a game, 365 yards, three touchdowns, 123 rating, especially in the first half. I thought what the Raiders did was very interesting, and it reminded me kind of of what happened with Brock Purdy when he had his first start was we're not going to dial back the offense or try to just hand the ball off to Josh Jacobs 400 times. We're going to attack downfield.

and he looked like he had been practicing and working with Devante Adams for months. I mean, it just looked as, it was the most comfortable looking quarterback performance by any quarterback in the Raiders system I've seen in a long time. And it's not really a knock on Derek Harb, but it's just kind of like,

how weird can these seasons get? Because who would have thought two months ago? You're getting Jared Stidham versus Brock Purdy and it's two of the better performances we've seen all day long. And I mean, for Purdy, I thought this Niners team in general, they were tested today.

you give up 500 yards of offense. This is a team that hadn't been scored on in the final two minutes all year, and that happened to them. And so they went into overtime in a situation where you could collapse psychologically if you want to after Robbie Gould, misses a would-be field goal to end this thing, and let this high-flying Raiders team come back and stamp one on you when you thought you'd get out here with an easy win. I thought they're very resilient.

Like the Niners just sort of sort of who are, they are who they are. But Purdy made all sorts of throws in this game, too, that all their weapons are so impossible to stop. Chris McCaffrey was unbelievable in this. And so it's like they didn't, had they lost, I think it would have wiped away the sense that the Niners actually, to me, it doesn't change what I think about them at all in this. They had an off-day defensively.

They were caught off guard by Stiddam, but they won. And they found a way to do it. And it's like a lesser team, a team like the Vikings, some of these middle-tier teams would have found a way to collapse, not San Francisco. It doesn't change how I feel about them, but it's a reminder that in 2022, 2020, now that we're in in this season.

Happy New Year. Yeah. If the weather's okay, like... Greg, Greg. Happy New Year, buddy. We weren't together on New Year's, but we're together now. Always together.

We really are always together. Any defense can get lit up. I know everyone threw that game away because, like, they were a little injured and they were playing the Chiefs, but they had the worst performance any defense had all season against the Chiefs. Yes, the Raiders had a lot of good plays,

happened to them. I just think good offense can beat good defense. ultimately. And so that's why you need a quarterback to make plays for you. And Purdy, to his credit, to this point, I think has shown that he can make enough plays. It's trending towards Debo Samuel being back for next week's game. So that's good for their offense. And they're going to be plenty motivated to beat those Cardinals and get the two. This was the first game where I thought a team made Purdy look a little uncomfortable. And he worked his way out of it. So I just, I get you, you can point to the Chiefs game. They were so banged up their defense back then. And yes,

this happened today, but this feels more for this defense. I mean, 500 yards of offense, people need to apologize to Jared Stidham. I hope they kept those apology notes that they sent to Josh Allen a couple years ago. How about the Patriots apologize for letting the better quarterback out of the building? Look at the way he played today.

Did we mention it was Nick Bosa who had the hit on Jared Stidom? That led to the interception that led to the game. When he field goal, we talked about it last week, that we thought he might have clinched defensive player of the year honors. Now he's just patting his resume at this point. So another huge Bosa moment and you mentioned McCaffrey mark it's I don't think enough has been made

this is to John Lynch's credit to Kyle Shanahan's credit what a huge trade that was and he has come as advertised and been an absolute anchor of their offense I mean he had nearly 200 yards of total offense in this game and I know the fantasy owners out there in championship week are celebrating that as well they're on fire right now yeah I mean so yes I I had San Francisco at number one of the power rankings. I'll keep them there. It did bother me a little bit that when it's 3427, when they go ahead late, I thought the defense was going to make the stand there.

And then you just move on. The fact that I got to overtime, I thought the Raiders should have went for two. In fact, it even looks more ridiculous now that they didn't go for two, knowing that San Francisco went right down the field. But I know there's some logic to if there's too much time on the clock at the end of the fourth quarter, you don't go for two because it doesn't guarantee you the win. and there's a chance, obviously, that you could lose. But I would have said, screw it if I was the Raiders and went for it.

They didn't, and they get beaten overtime. So their season is over, and a very strange, well, it's not over, over. But their playoff aspirations are gone. I'm glad that you're keeping the Niners in the number one spot. Like, I'm not trying to beat this dead horse anymore, but it just doesn't. I feel like they had a weird game on defense. It happens to any team sometimes. But that's to me, it's sort of beside the point,

but that's to me why I will take the team with Josh Allen or Joe Burrow or Patrick McHomes any day. because you just never know what could happen on defense. And it is sad to put this Raiders season to bed because I know you look at it at 6 and 10. And we know that. It's almost humane that we're putting it to bed, to be honest. It's one of the most insane NFL seasons any team has had.

Since we've started this podcast, just in terms of the amount of insane games. I think of it is the most insane, like for a non-playoff team. The Chandler Jones ending, the Baker Mayfield ending, winning on the last play. in overtime, back-to-back weeks, Broncos and Seahawks. You lost to Jeff Saturday. You chunk the lead against the Jaguarts. You didn't score a point against the Saints. You lost by one in prime time against the Chiefs.

Stupid. You lost that a two-point conversion at the buzzer against the Titans, and you blew a 20-point lead against the Cardinals. That's all in one season. Well, they blew another 10-point lead today, by the way. Right. Well, they did that. And after everything that Josh McDaniels saw,

his move was to not go for two. Obviously they should have went for two, and they would have got it because you just want to throw it to Devante Adams, who, by the way, he's going to be lost in this crazy season. He's amazing. The catch he made that set up their game-tying score, there's maybe, maybe Jefferson gets it,

maybe you could throw out another name, makes the play that Devante Adams made to set up the game-time score in the fourth quarter. But he goes seven for 153 and two touchdowns. That's another guy. The Raiders went out and got Adams, just like the Niners went and got McCaffrey.

Both guys were as good as advertised. And Josh Jacobs, too. I mean... Over 2,000 yards from scrimmage, Josh Jacob. And this team misses the playoffs. If you knew all this was going to happen, 10 losses. You would say, like, I'm going to go put a lot of money

on the Raiders to make the postseason. You know who wouldn't, though. The 12-foot-tall man in the back. The giant, the quiet, a 2008, a Raiders fan who has no faith in this team. More real feelings, though. You can't hurt him. There's no highs.

There's no lows. There's a passionate Raiders fan. He's a passionate. He's a passionate. Can we get a camera on the big man? There he is. Look, he's going to look at the camera for the first time this season. This is why you watch it on YouTube, everybody.

Let's take a break. A thumbs up, maybe? No. Let's take a break and we'll continue on. All right, welcome back. So we talked about the Vikings. They drop in the NFC. The San Francisco 49ers move up in the NFC.

Yes, the Eagles, the number one seed in the NFC have been all season but it's starting to get hairy to philadelphia takes the snap throws a quick one and that's picked up by marcia oh now big six welcome back marshawn that's how you do it happy new year baby on this earlier and that was just a hitch route that marchon almost got he goes he goes he goes he jumps it all the way that is exactly what this saint's team needed good night i love dan how you uh operate as a third of fourth man in the booth on these calls, Lee. I'm the Homer in the booth. It was like a wounded animal screaming out multiple times at the start of that.

Don't so lackey in me. Deuce McAllister there, you heard, and also Mike Haas, W.W. L. Yes, Marshawn, Lattimore returned at interception. 11 yards for a late touchdown. The clinching score for the Saints, who at the time were still alive in the playoff race after they beat the Eagles, 20 to 10. Let's now welcome in. the pipe.

That's what they all call them. Nick Shook from Ohio. Shooky, happy new year. Happy New Year, fellas. Are you worried about the Eagles at this point? What are we thinking? No,

I think they can't get Jalen Hertz back fast enough because for as well as Gardner Mintz you played last week, their offense lacks the explosive playmaking ability of Jalen Hertz. It's really that simple. They had 61 total yards in the first half. They had more yards on their overall. driving the second half than they did in the entire first half they lost the time of possession battle

nearly 23 to 7 it was something like 22 50 to 7 10 they barely had the ball they had no plays in opposing territory whereas the saints were coming up on 30 in the first half so it was essentially going to be a tail of two halves and then gardiner minshu throws the pick six that we all saw coming from basic pre-snap leverage in marshawn ladamor who made a great read on the play jumped it and walked into the end zone they need jalen hertz back it's really that simple i think they'll be in a much better spot. But now they're in a position where they're a little threatened with that number one seed, the fact that they have to now actually play for it in week 18, as opposed to just coasting there like we thought they would a few weeks ago. So it's an interesting turn of events,

but I'm not too worried about them overall because they still have a great team. Defensively, one of the better pass rushes we've seen in the last two decades, at least statistically. They need five sacks next week to take over the all-time record for the most sacks from a defense in a season. So there's still a good football team. That shows how complete they are. I mean, even in recent weeks when Jalen Hertz had the rare miscues, a couple interceptions, what he does so well, like, you don't worry about it because he'll back you out of any corner and then overtake the opponent with what he can do on the ground and through the air. If Minchu's making mistakes, you're a mess.

And if you look at the splits, Lane Johnson, I think he missed three games last year. But when he was not in there, the offense was affected greatly. And Minchu took six sacks today without Lane Johnson. And I think, like, that's another one where it's like, I know he's going to be back for the play. but this version of the Eagles offense looked completely asleep at the wheel for the first time all season. Yeah, I'd be concerned, Shucky. Like, maybe it's not as simple as just get Hertz back in there. Maybe it is.

But they've kind of lost their flow here. And I know sometimes this word is frowned upon. The momentum of the season where they were just like a swaggering juggernaut. And now you've been humbled a little bit of back-to-back losses. And you need this win, obviously, to get that number one seed. Maybe you get the win next week and all this is wiped away. Probably is. But still, there have been some issues.

The Hertz injury, the Johnson injury. Unfortunately, Josh Sweat went down with a neck injury and was carted off the field. And Josh Swett, by the way, is one of four Eagles players with 10 plus sacks this season. They lost the Bonte Maddox last week, too, who's really a big player for them. So, yeah, along those lines, it's just been a tough last few weeks for the team that I think everyone was universally praising as. a Super Bowl contender at a high level. Yeah, I definitely think that they're going to have a tougher road in the playoffs than we might have anticipated a month or two ago.

But there's also, you know, instances like today's game, which could have gone very differently if a referee didn't call holding on Landon Dickerson who pancake the guy he was blocking. I know that got you mad, Juky, because you love that in the trenches. And I heard that Moose Johnson was pissed about it. That Twitter fired up. Yeah, that's, I want to hear you get mad now. Well, Moose said

I'd give him a plus plus rating that's not a hold And I agree When you drive some way To the ground He trips over another guy's leg And he eats all that Lincoln Financial field turf

He should know that he got pancake Lay on top of him Lay there for an extra second Really emphasizing Watch that touchdown Watch that runner get into the end zone For touchdown Celebrate by doing

Layout on top of the guy You just pancake Put your arms and legs out like you're swimming Except you're just surfing on top of him Because you just earn that placement That shouldn't have been a flag We should be able to change those calls i mean it's just like we shouldn't no mark no i don't know we went we went down that road

pass interference was a reviewable play and that was a dumpster fire let's not i mean that just holding would be tough to ever review although bellichick is for reviewing anything this they're giving me major andy reed vibes though like this was eagles fans know it andy reed like those eagles teams when they were at their best would always race out like everything would be handled a little too early and then the end of december would go poorly and it just it would feel like like it would carry over. Based on my very scientific sample of Eagles fans at John Gonzalez and Colleen Wolfe's New Year's Eve party,

they were already panicking before this game. They're such negative people that they thought it was already all falling apart. So I don't think it was a good. They're probably feeling great now. It was not a good scene at that apartment today. Hold on, though. Hold on.

Like, let's hold back on the panic button. Like, you don't have your star quarterback in there, an MVP candidate. I'm not panicking. Well, but we're also laying out But it's not just hurts. Here's the good news. And this is why Connie and Gonzo and everybody's got to take a step back and breathe.

You get the Giants next week, the Giants who are locked into the sixth seed, they have nothing to play for. They would be foolish to go all out knowing that they have a wild card matchup the week after. So there's a very good chance the Eagles get a layup against a Giants practice squad team. So the sky is not falling. But, yes, some clouds overhead for the first time this season. all right. You can experience some clouds, but I'll panic when they're getting the doors blown off with Jalen Hertz in the lineup. And so will they be, because that

would be the end. I have a scientific fact since Greg said that was very scientific research that he provided. The P in Philadelphia actually stands for panic and pessimism. So it's right on board there. It was a very saintie end to this season in terms of their playoff hopes here that they

finish the season playing their best football. Without a doubt to me, their last three weeks have been the best three weeks stretch they've had. You get Latimore back and you've had a few different defensive players coming in and out of the lineup, but mostly they've been a little healthier lately, and they've looked better. And I know there are a lot of Saints fans out there

that think this is the worst case scenario, which is that Dennis Allen, who I believe is now 17 and 46 as a head coach, we'll keep his job, but they're not going anywhere anyways. I would run it all back. It's been a great campaign for the Saints and their fan base, and no one would disagree. He'd James on the roster. Shaheed, Joanne Johnson, and Olave as the top three receivers.

That's a fun little great place. I want to shout out Cam Jordan, who once upon a time, after he was drafted, came into old NFL network studios, and I sat in the green room and interviewed him, talked to him about his dad, Steve Jordan, who did a Mr. Perfect Kurt Henning vignette for WWF in 1992 that I recalled, and he told me about being on the set. And he was just a kid at the time. Fast forward, he is now the all-time sack. leader of the New Orleans Saints.

And that's a team with some Hall of Famers that are past rest of course. Great career. I think it's possible your Q&A, you know, sparked him. Maybe. Mr. Perfect after all was one of the great technicians. At one point, they had four sacks and eight plays, the Saints, which is. Do you know who Mr. Perfect is, Greg? Yeah.

I did watch WWF right when he was Pete. No, Kurt. That was Mr. Wonderful. His name was Kurt. Heaney. Oh, Kurt. I was going to see like Stenning. I couldn't come up with it.

Yeah. It was good. Also, his finishing maneuver was the perfect Plex. That was my favorite move. Which I did all the time to my little brother, Kevin, with just startling accuracy. Yeah, back then you'd, like, suplex your younger brother here and there, and, like, there's no parental supervision over this. It's like, this is not a safe thing for brothers to be doing, but it's going to happen.

It's toughen them up, though. All right, let's head to the nation's capital. Well, Landover. On the right hip-hip of watching, it's Karim Hunt. He's got the snap. Third down in five. He's looking left, throwing. Cooper's there.

He got it. Cooper off the sideline. Still going. Cooper running down the sideline. 10, 5. Head zone. Touchdown. Amari Cooper.

Amari Cooper. Where you been, bud? Wide receiver for the Browns had a big day. And so did Deshawn Watson, who had his first real statistical standout performance of the Browns. A 24-10 win over the commanders who, as we said, were eliminated with the loss. tough one, bad beat. Shucky, the commanders had Carson Wentz in the lineup,

and that did not go well. No. It makes Ron Rivera's decision to go to Carson Wentz this week after benching Taylor Honeykey last week. It makes it look foolish, short-sighted, maybe even desperate. I mean, this is the Carson Wentz we've seen at the end of seasons for the last three years.

I was not surprised at all by the fact that he threw the interceptions that he threw, or the fact that he struggled mightily, and to the point where Brown's defenders after the game were talking about, hey, we saw on film that he's got a slow delivery, slow release, we can see it, we can react to it, and we can pick him off. They got him three times. I mean, it was an ugly game. They'd one great drive this entire game.

It was, uh, Greg, you sent me the fact. I think it was the longest drive in their history or maybe in football in like 20-some years. 23 plays, 11 and a half minutes, 96 yards. That is delicious. Yeah, and that was it for them. That was all they did. The rest of the game, it was pretty bad because Carson Wentz is not a good quarterback. And Washington is going to be in the market for a quarterback again, this off.

season. I'm just curious to see where he goes next, Carson, Wes, because at this point, there's no proof that he's really any good. But he'll bounce. Go ahead. No, just he'll invariably be oversold to us as some other teams fill in the blank starter. And I'm not doing it again. I feel like I came into this week very down on the idea of switching over to Wentz, no matter what you had in Heineke. The fans agreed. They were going nuts chanting Heineke's name during this game. Yeah, I think you were talking about Reggie Raglan on the Browns, his comments. He said that he know some guys on Washington's team and that they would have preferred Heineke. That's exactly what we talked about last week.

Like what about the other players on there? I mean, the thing is, like, Hineke can't really play either. I think the point is, like, they need a quarterback and they don't have it in the building. It's why I said, though, Riverboat Ron was making a pretty bold move here because this is what you're going to remember out of this season. They haven't won since November 27th, and this was the most important game. of the season, and he throws two interceptions in the first quarter, I believe, and the booze

are coming, and then he speaks after the game in a sound bite. I feel like everyone's going to remember for a long time. Or until Black Monday. To clarify, you said you would talk about quarterback next week. If you guys are eliminated today

by what happens at 4 o'clock, is Sam Howell in consideration? We can be eliminated? Yeah, if the Packers beat the Vikings, then you are eliminated well we'll see yeah i you know i know that's it's a i guess a bad look on the coach i don't know it doesn't really change much to me it doesn't mean it changed anything about today's his coaching or the the way the team performed or how they would be ready for next week but i also understand you you you want your coach to be forward facing his guy that knows his stuff i also

think and gregg and i were talking about this like these coaches are in their bunkers and they just want to come out and win this game and let the rest of it sort itself out i get that but in 2023 here we are like head coaches can't get caught happy new year thank you and to you as well until each of you and to everyone behind the glass but head coaches can't get caught flat footed on this stuff I mean I was listening to the Niners game

and they were talking about the fact that Shanahan behind the scenes had been pounding the table to his players saying if we can't get the number one C the number two still matters so much like it just sounds like per coach A plugged in and Coach B dinosaur-like and like maybe that's not the case It's just bad PR.

And, like, that sound clip is going to get played all day tomorrow, all day the next day. And it's the final thing we'll remember about this Washington team as they float into a total abyss. They haven't had a winning season in seven seasons. There's potentially new ownership coming. It's a tricky spot, especially when you're trying to throw out excuses that. Like, we were just so focused on the win. Like, these are the coaches that sort of brag about working 15 hours a day. And it's like, oh, we didn't have time.

It takes three seconds. All you have to do is look at the scenario. It takes three seconds. Famously, in the old days. It's not like it takes a lot of time. It takes five seconds. Right. Help the guy out, too.

In the old days and the glory days of the Washington football team, the hogs helped pave the way for three Super Bowl titles. They were honored before this game, Joe Gibbs and others from the franchise's heyday were there. And then the team unveiled their new mascot. Oh, boy. It's a hog named Major Tuddy. and the team said that Major Tuddy is a muscular, this is a quote,

6'5-230-pound male hog with exaggerated features that are anatomically similar to the animal, including a large belly snout and cloven hooves. Shook, my question to you, first of all, do you like Major Tuddy, one. And two, just like everything else is funky

and weird with the commanders, like they're probably selling the team and a new ownership is changing hands is most likely like why are they introducing a new mascot? What are we doing around here? I think it's the same reason that teams change uniforms to sell merchandise

to generate excitement I guess. But it's week 17. Like was this a homework assignment that they were laid on? It's probably someone's bonus attached to it. I don't know how much merchandise you're going to sell of this we're looking at it here on the screen of this major tutty. It's a very strange looking pig, half human,

half pig, it feels slightly off-kilter to me. Guys, how about this? A lot of commanders in Washington, D.C., in the Pentagon. What's that, Shuck? Can we come up with nicknames for Major Tuddy? How about, I got two. Private pork? Brigadier General Bacon.

This is why we have Nick Shook on the show. Private pork is a great name for this creature. I feel like I've maybe seen a movie at that title. Shook, before we say goodbye, I'll check in on Deshawn Watson. then obviously he played a lot better in this game. Yeah. You know, three touchdowns. His first time that he really got going with the Browns got into a rhythm,

especially in the second half. I mean, this is a Browns team that got two takeaways in the first half and put three points in the board. Their offense was completely lost that Washington pass rush was doing a great job of, I mean, I texted my dad. It was upset. I said they just broke his brain in the first half.

I mean, he was completely out of sorts. They come out of half time. Three straight drives that ended touchdowns. That touchdown pass to Omar Cooper, I think, is really what unlocked their offense. he looked a lot more comfortable from there. Stats wise, 9 of 18 is not super impressive. 169 yards, not super impressive.

But the fact that he was able to throw three touchdowns to two guys, including one where he was pressured through it over the middle to Donovan People's Jones. It's an encouraging site for Brown fans who have nothing else to watch this team for other than to see, is this guy going to take another step forward as we headed the offseason and prepare for 2023? There you go. Shook delivers. The news we get one more week with Nick who's killed it all year long.

Thank you, buddy. Thanks, guys. All right, there goes Shook. Let's spin right into the battle for the Moribund NFC South. It was coming down to the Panthers and Bucks. And the game, actually, sounds like it lived up to the hype. Takes the snap and looks toward his way. Thows toward Evans, toward Evans, toward the end zone.

Evans. Andrebeye, makes the catch. Touchouts have a way. Evans has three. Fire the cannons. Fire him. Evans with a remarkable catch. Fire him.

Mike Evans ran up at five yards. He stuttered his feet. And Tom Brady again. We've seen them not be in sync on these deep throws over the course of the season, but he hit three of them today. Perfect. That was Dave Moore, and of course, Gene Daggerhoff, WFUS, Gene, who's retiring after a 50-year broadcasting career that has also covered Florida State football.

What a legend. Tom Brady threw for 432 and three long time. Happy New Year, Gene Decker-aw. I'm sure he'd reply if he couldn't. Brady threw for 432 and three long touchdowns of Mike Evans just days after Greg Rosenthal threw dirt on the greatest quarterback of all time. And the Bucks clinched their second straight-N-C-South championship. What was that?

With a 30-24, come from behind win over the Panthers who jumped out to a big lead, Mark Sessler. But in the end, Brady finally finding that chemistry again with Mike Evans was the difference. It only took literally all of 2022 and a day into the new year. It was a 2022 thing. Now everything's back to normal. I think they're clicking in. I think that's a great sign. We've talked about this bizarre division.

I said it before. I just see it within that they're going to win a playoff game. And this version of this offense would scare you because it's what you thought you'd get all year because you got it last year and they got it the year before. And they came out and you could tell right away that they were so deliberately going to do everything they could to make this finally work when it needed to matter most. And it was still a frustrating game, but a 63-yard deep bomb to Evans, a 57-yarder, a 30-yarder. They just finally were completely in sync.

And Brady, who, you know, there's, I don't think anyone all year long has said, other than the last couple weeks that Brady has been the problem. I think the turnovers and some impatience and sort of hesitation in the pocket last three or four games stood out, but he looked calm and collected today, 432 yards, three touchdowns. He's only a few years younger than I am. I don't know how he's doing this. Here's the thing, though, the Bucks defense played a big role in this. Sam Darnold, who I think played the best, he, all right, look it, he had a fumble. He had an interception, he had a strip sack. So that stands out. That was a big difference in this.

But the other, what Sam Darnold did for the rest of this game was the best performance I've seen him play all year. And after that huge, rushing performance last year. They did not come out and do that. I think Ben McAdoo deserves some credit for how this thing got started, that they aggressively had Sam Darnold ripping the ball down field to DJ more to, like it just looked like their passing game under Darnold was a real problem for the Bucks. Then they tightened up, got the turnovers, handled their business.

Mike Evans went off. Here go the Bucks. Here go the Panthers in the other direction. Yeah, it's surprising that this division is not coming down at last week. It just felt like it was going to be a messy situation where The Saints were still alive and the Panthers are still alive and the Bucks. They go. And they were down 21 to 10 in the fourth quarter.

It's crazy. Brady has more touchdowns in the fourth quarter this season than the rest, than the other three quarters combined. I mean, he has been like lights out at the end of these games. Evans going 10 for 207 and 3 rewarded his loyal fantasy owners that kept him in the lineup like my son Walker. So they enjoyed that. But you mentioned it. Like sometimes it comes down to this whole.

off-season planning. Anthony Nelson, who's what, their fourth string pass rusher, gets a strip sack on the top 10 pick, Icki Akonmu at the end. Darnold really didn't have a chance on that play. You don't play Darnold. And that was the end of the game. I kind of thought the Panthers might go down the field there, but it didn't happen. Sam Donald. That play also doesn't happen without Vita Vaya, like showing, now he's a massive, he's big as a front door. The speed, he chased down that ball and picked it up. I mean, that was the difference. Horn's injury might have flipped this division. I know that sounds like a

lament, but he would have been the guy on Mike Evans. He's built for that. He's the big physical quarterback. They put different guys on Evans and nothing works, so correct. And Evans, for all the hand-wringing about this season, for him and his failure to get on the same page with Tom Brady,

he did go over 1,000 yards again. He's done that nine consecutive years. He's gone to the Hall of Fame, or at least he should. One of the most consistent guys of his era, if not the most consistent. and pass catcher of his era, 63, 57, and 30-yard touchdown receptions. It was almost like, if you think about it, unless you think Tom Brady's washed, which he's not,

maybe he's in a little bit of a decline at this point. It's not Jared Stidham, but, you know, he's no Stiddlem. But it's a situation where eventually this was going to, there was going to be a game like this. And for the Bucks, good timing. Can I mention like 19 division titles for Tom Brady? That's insane. Yator Gros-Mattos on the Panthers,

had an incredible game. Had they won, we'd be talking about him a lot more. And they mentioned, we know Josh Norman, who we worked on that Super Bowl with on Sky Sports. Slightly disconnected. That he was actually working as a barista in a coffee shop last week when he got the call. Did he not save his money?

Well, no, I think they were so good. He owns the shop. Well, that was my thing. People like really ran with this, but it's like, he's starting a business. It's his shop. That's a little different. They didn't tell the entire story on the thing.

And I was like, wait a minute. Like, it can't be a money thing, He's got to have a ton of money. He was telling the truth. I think he was serving cop, but he's, yeah, he's got that Sky Sports. He started some business. He was working as a barista, though, Greg. It wasn't just like back in the, you know,

it wasn't just like sending, you know, emails out saying you go do it. He was doing it. So good for him. Good for Josh. Man of the people. Intrepid. Would you go work in a coffee shop right now just for the, just to be around? Well, I guess that's true.

Maybe. If you owned it. Technically, his mom owns it, but I think they're sort of doing it together. Well, the story keeps shifting here. Yeah. So, I mean, it's, you know. Well, I think she was helped out by her son. This has exceeded my, like, interest now.

We know, we're getting learning more and more. We'll move right on from it. Who co-signed the lease? Oh, his mother. I don't care. Well, Greg seems very unwilling to give him any credit for anything. I just think it's like, I don't know where you're coming from, Greg on that one. Move on.

And by the way, it does look like, again, peaking ahead, as Marcus said, many, many, many times that he believes the Bucks will win a playoff game. Most likely to the host the Dallas Cowboys. That's not good for Dallas Very good As a first round matchup I'll take it if I'm the Cowboys I'm just saying one of these predictions Has to go right

So I'm gonna go with it's strong You got a lot on this one This one has been Well because it's a good one Because like there's no way for it to be wrong For 12 or 13 weeks From when I made it way back when It just sits out there until

I think your career as a broadcaster hangs in the balance of that wildcard Saturday night or whatever it's going to be Probably a feel feels like a wild card Saturday night game. Putting that much on it. I've got a lot of bills. He's a top 10 football insider.

Let's take a break. All right, welcome back. All right, let's now swing over to the AFC playoff picture, starting at Gillette Stadium, where the Dolphins and Patriots did battle. Dugger, up behind the front four. It's that they rush for. Bridgewater is back to fire it. Right.

Pass is intercepted by Dugger, left to the 30, outside to the 20. to the 15 to the 10, dug it to the five, dug it to the end zone. He took it to the house again. Bob Sochi and the sentient power aid bottle with the call there for WBZ. Did you, I tweeted about it today, and we're going to get to the Jets.

I feel like with a decent quarterback, the Jets would have won 10 or 11 games this year. If the Patriots didn't have seven defensive scores this year, they might have 11 or 12 losses. It's the reverse. Like, it feels like... Well, how about this, though? If they had Josh McDaniels, they'd probably be 11 and 5.

Just change those coordinators. All right. Well, that's potentially true as well. But my point being that almost all of these defensive scores in the latest they are by Kyle Dugger have been huge in the context of the games in which they occurred because Duggers pick six of Teddy Bridgewater went back 39 yards for the go-ahead touchdown late in the third quarter

and it allowed the Patriots to keep their postseason hopes intact. They rally past the free. falling dolphins, 23 to 21. Yeah, it was huge. It was a game that the dolphins seemed to have, not in hand, but they seem to be in control of the game, even though Teddy, who wasn't playing poorly, but you felt that lack of explosiveness with him in instead of Tua, who, by the way, there was a report that they're hoping he could be back if they make the playoffs.

So that tells you that the team, again, is trying to take this carefully after another concussion for Tua. But the game all turned on that pass because not only was it a pick six, run back the other way. On the follow-through of the throw, Teddy waxes hand on a Patriot defender's hand and breaks, we're hearing, might be a broken finger. It knocked them out of the game. Skylar Thompson comes, and Skylar Thompson might eventually be a player in our league right now. Now he is not. Every time I've seen him, he can't throw the ball, he can't shoot straight. And that allowed the Patriots to take care of business.

So good job by the Pats in a season that's been, Greg, very rocky, obviously in a lot of ways. I think a lot of people expected them to fade in this game and disappear. But instead, they're going to go into Week 18 with a chance to make the playoffs. It's like Belichick can't help but win eight games, no matter what terrible decisions he makes with his coaching staff and personnel offensively. And it's because he's still a great defensive coach. That's what I mean. They would win 11 games if they had decent offensive coaching because a lot of the things that they would have hoped to happen on defense have happened.

Duggers turned into a total star, a playmaker. Barmore was back in this game and was very active. We've talked about Uche and Judon. They were down three top cornerbacks today. They put Jack Jones on IR. Marcus Jones was out. Jalen Mills was out. They had a couple offensive players.

The dolphins were missing four or five of their best players. It's just like some of these teams have lost so many pieces, but the Patriots find a way because of these defensive scores, essentially, to be in every single one of these games. Yeah, I mean, the AFC East, from where we were six weeks ago to now, is the story of multiple collapses. And you're right about the dolphins going into this game. It's not easy to be Mike McDaniel in the situation.

You did not have Bradley Chubb. You don't have two, obviously. Xavier and Howard was out. Terran Armstead was out. Eric Fisher, another tackle, is out. So you're limited there. And, you know, this is the same thing happened to McDaniel. The first time when Tua went out with the concoctal.

that in comes Bridgewater, and he was lost to the same game. And in came Skyler Thompson. It's an ugly pattern. In both times Teddy played without Tehran Armstead, too, I think, which is not a coincidence. And that's been for two or two a major problem. I mean, to your point about the New England's shortcomings on offense, they're eight and O in games where they allow fewer than 20 points, and 0 in eight in games where they allow 20 plus.

Right. And if they won this one allowing 20 plus. Going into this. Gotcha. Right. So you just say 21 now. But that still, but that might not even hold. We're going to have to recalibrate all the data now based on that.

Plus, it's never their offense that's scoring. Their defense has scored out of the touchdown, right? It should be known. It was a garbage time score of the Dolphins to make it look like a closer game. The Patriots had the game in hand in the fourth quarter, really starting with that Dugger play. And yes, if you're going to watch this game, if you haven't watched it yet, like, oh, the Patriots starting to get a little frisky. No, it's still the same exact team here. The offense is still pitiful.

They had one big time drive. It was an 11-play, 89-yard, big-boy drive that allowed them to take control of the game after the pick six and kind of put the game away. So you credit Mack Jones and the offense for doing that. But otherwise, it was another very quiet game for the offense. So that's going to continue to be a bugaboo. They're winning games because they're getting literally not just turnovers, defensive scores that are allowing them to steal these games. The seventh defensive score this season, that just doesn't happen. And I think it's tied a record.

I think of 2017 Jaguars, either at seven or eight defensive scores. It's just, it's bonkers how often it's happening. It's almost, I mean, it's not Vikings level aberration, but it's an incredibly strange environment to be winning these games. They are now winning in next week, but they're playing the bills who have become their daddy. And there is a realistic scenario that the Patriots could end the season

getting blasted by the bills in back-to-back weeks that they could get blasted by the bills back into the playoffs eight and nine granted a lot has to happen there the Jets would have to lose the Steelers would have to lose a game but it's possible

and I don't know if this Patriots team needs to be in the playoffs we'll see the Dolphins are not out of it I know that they do not I know but one of these teams is going to make it whether it's the Dolphins the Patriots and we'll find out about the Steelers later the Dolphins the Dolphins now, you know, just hope that the Patriots lose to Buffalo and beat the Jets and they're in.

So they have a very realistic chance to make it in still, but who the hell knows? I know we're supposed to cheerlead like everything that happens. I'm just giving the scenario. No one thinks that they're going to win games. This seventh playoff team in each conference, like more often than not, you're getting something that is undesirable to the eye. We don't, we don't want to see the dolphins without two. We don't want to see the Patriots. We don't want to see the Steelers.

getting the Packers or the Lions. So that sort of speaks to it. Like, you just don't know. Like, you're also getting the Vikings. I guess I'm just saying it's typically unpleasant fare. There was, what was it? It was Washington. Oh, no, they won the division.

I can't remember. But it feels like whatever this new reality with the extra playoff team, you're usually going to get a real dog, and it feels like that's what this final AFC team will be. But, again, we don't know. Right. Last year, you got the Steelers, who are not a good team. Steelers' Chiefs game was actually what's big. And the Eagles who were intriguing on some level, but not really competitive.

So you're absolutely right. This seventh seed is underwhelming. It's making money for various parties. You have an invite list to your own party, and someone brings someone who drags the entire affair into darkness. It's diluting Wild Card weekend a little bit, but it's also adding intrigue to the back end of the regular season. So maybe it's a watch. By the way, before we move on, here is the Dolphin season. Win, win, win, win, loss, loss, loss, loss.

Win, win, win, win, loss, loss, loss. I worry about these. There's some consistency in that almost. It's symmetrical. It's also embarrassing the way this is they've nosedived here. And they're not the only team in their division to do so. Let's move on. Gino has time.

He's going to throw in the back corner. Caught, touchdown. Seahawks. What a start. Colby Parkinson from. 12 yards out, runs a little bender into the back corner, and Gino lays it up perfectly so only the big tight end at 6-7 can reach up and grab it. Steve Rabel with the call, K-I-R-O-N-Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-R-S-Y-Y-Y-R-K-Y-Y-R-S-Y-L-Y-R-S-Y-L-Y-S-Y-S-Y-L-Y-S-Y-L-S-Y.

Um, yes, Gino Smith connects there with Colby Parkinson. What's that the name? Colby Parkinson on the 12 yard, uh, catch that was within about two minutes into the game after Ken Walker ripped off a huge run on the, um, maybe the second, uh, play from scrimmage in the game. And it was kind of just like a rap. It was the first play from scrimmage, uh, Walker's run. Uh, at that point, because,

before you knew it, it was 7-0, then 10-0. And at that point, the Jets' offense went to sleep, and Seattle's defense credit them for stepping up and keeping their season alive with a 23-6 victory. So Seattle moves to 8-8, and Greg will tell you in a minute how they get to the playoffs. The Jets are now 7-9, eliminated five-game losing streak. I locked this game up.

I knew it was a bad idea, but what the hell? You went with your heart. with my heart and it did surprise me though and i'll tell you what surprised me and if you boys haven't watched the game uh you will be surprised too because everything we saw from mike white this season uh told us that he was going to give the jets a professional effort he would hit the guys that were open he would do hit the layups that zach wilson couldn't but instead they got a jack wilson game for mike white um which we've also seen before dating back to last year and i was always in the back of my mind uh that that guy was there too and he showed up today

It was a dreadful performance from Mike White, who I feel bad for him because he cost himself a lot of money today. He cost himself any chance of being in the Jets' conversation as their quarterback next year. All of that is kind of white by the board, and that's part of sports. Sometimes you have a big chance to change your life and the trajectory of your career. And White just couldn't get it done. And neither could the Jets, who started slowly, also defensively in this game. Their defense went into a little bit of a slump here late in the season.

in addition to the quarterback play that just butchered their year and that's how it ends for the Jets. Good job by the Seattle though, getting the job done. When your defense, which has been your selling point and playoff level for all season,

is giving up that 60-yard run. It was the DJ Dallas 41-yard catch-and-run. It was like these big plays, and again, they're not generating takeaways. That's been a problem for this Jets defense to some degree. And you get this version of Mike White. I mean, glass half full, let's say Mike White won these last two games and played above his head, and they do turn him into the starter, and then the real Mike White appears. Because last year, the overall body of work for Mike White is up and down.

It's just that he's had some real highs. Here's the thing, though, Mark. If he did play well and they won these games, the Jets would have went to the playoffs this year. Right. And that would have been a huge lift for the organization and the fan base. And then, yes, they might have blown their Mike White evaluation down the line. But, God, I would have loved to even be in that position. Sure, but that's why I'm calling it glass half full because the glass is also half empty.

Because you do now know, there's no doubt that. He could be the backup, but he lost himself some money. Exactly. You know, has a chance to make some money here down the stretch. Not that I think it's like all based on these last couple of games, but I think playing well at the end here is going to help him. Mike White is going to hurt himself. He could be back.

there as a backup. But yeah, I saw something, which surprised me, the Jets will have the longest playoffless streak in American sports if the Kings make it this year, and they look like a pretty good bet to make it in the NBA. I would be disappointed just for the defense at the end of the season. You give up almost 200 yards in the first quarter of this game, and then they settled in,

but it is hard to depend on defense totally, and it's hard to have like a truly special defense week after week, just the way the rules are set up. And I think down the stretch, they weren't enough. They weren't playing complimentary either. There's something I keep hearing about the Jets, and it, to me, is a bit of a be careful. Not that you have every option in the world, but it's like if they can just get a quarterback who's vaguely competent, they'll be fine.

It's like, no, you'll just be a all right team with a vaguely competent quarterback. That's your ceiling. It's like the search must go on. I just think you cannot settle, and that's all to be solved later. But they're not a B-minus quarterback away from going to the AFC title. game but again when you have not been to the playoffs in 12 years now I get counting I get that I get that you just want to get to the playoffs again and like this year especially is frustrating because you know the the whiff on the Zach Wilson evaluation and the decision

to take him with a second overall pick has it's a huge setback for the organization that will continue to mushroom until they figure out how to properly move on and I think they will entirely from him, which is almost unprecedented. Did you see the reporting, though, that Joe Douglas? I don't buy any of that. So that stuff all sounds like mythology until they have no other option. Right. They want to have some leverage here. So they're going to say that he might be in their plans next year.

Obviously, he's not their future anymore. And we know that. But just the disappointment is you knew that this team, if they had a couple of things went their way, if they got a little better health on their line with Brise Hall, and if the quarterback just played okay. this is a playoff team this year. They should be the seventh seed. And yet they're on a five-game losing streak

and it's another big Jets collapse. This did not feel like the year this was going to happen. That's why I locked the Jets up today because I thought everything we knew about and this was on Sala 2 and the coaching staff and the defense. I thought they were going to kind of rally around White and play really well in this spot

against a fading Seattle team. The fact that they flatlined is very disappointing and a bad look for everyone involved. And Greg, I still think, Sal is very safe job-wise, even if next week goes poorly. But I think a head could roll. And maybe it's Michael Flore, their offensive coordinator. I don't know if I would agree with it, but they have four touchdowns in four weeks now.

I really hope nothing happens in the AFCEs. But I've learned doing this job. It's all about ownership sometimes. And I don't trust the leadership in Miami or the Jets to handle a six-game losing streak the way that the season will end for whichever team loses that game. so I think that's a big game. And it's sort of the reverse, not that Pete Carroll would ever be in any trouble,

but man, this is a monster win for the Seahawks to comfortably end their, like, losing streak, for their defense to play really well for a second straight week to be able to run the ball on offense, 198 yards on the ground. Like, this, they've been collapsing too in the exact same way the Jets did. Now they get the Rams next week,

If they can win that game, give it to us. I mean, unfortunately, they need the Packers to lose to the Lions in week 18, and otherwise they're eliminated. So they just need to win, and they need the Packers to lose. It's pretty simple for them. They have the tie break over the Lions. So a Seahawks win over the Rams would also eliminate the Lions next week. There you go.

I don't know. I don't know if it happens. so many years in a row, including literally every year we've done this podcast. But it's almost getting to the point where it doesn't hurt as much because I'm just so used to them crapping the bed when it matters. I can relate to that, you know,

when I was doing the Browns thing, like that one little playoff win that they had over the Steelers, I mean, it's been a train rack since, mattered a lot. It changed everything and it changed your complexion and your, what kind of hope you'd have going into the next season. If Greg, this happens where

Jets management decides to blame Robert Sulla, frankly, even Mike LaFleur or any of these guys for what's happened at the quarterback position, the utter and total chaos they've dealt with, then I think you start building a binder of your own, Dan, because that would be massive mismanagement. No, and I don't think it will happen. But Douglass is somebody that's very interesting now with the Jets because he's now the equivalent of a baseball slugger who it's 45 homers, but strikes out 200 times. The Zach Wilson miss is reverberating and it ruined their season.

I don't want to put too much on one player, but it's quarterback, and that's the way it is. And not having a backup. Well, that didn't help him either. I kind of did until Mike White turned into Zach Wilson today. Mike White was a great story until eight hours ago. Brian Costell, the New York Post, had a great lead today. It was like he went from Mike F and White to F and Mike White.

All right, let's, I do not care what the watching post says. I don't. That remains. I still don't. Where are we at? Where are we at? Where are we at? Oh, let's head to the team of ATL.

Onward and upward. Gall takes the snap, looks left. Now it comes back, right, sets up a screen, got it to Swift. Picks up a block at the 20. Swift 15, 210, 2nd, 2nd, 2nd, 2nd. Great reporting on Watergate, though. We just need to have that out there. You're right about that.

You got to take this one, Greg. Still recovering. I mean, you can enjoy this at least. Yeah. The team! I like to just listen to Dick Banks. One-man house band? Now's the time to shine a light.

I wrote the song. Team! Yeah. Oh! I'm not the performer. No, but I get the royalties. You have how much money I've made off the song. You're like the Jack Antonoff.

of the NFL I just need stupid hipster glasses I've made $17 million on that song and royalties from this podcast

How long did how many draft did that song go through I mean The great ones they come to you in five minutes Sure

I woke up from a dream and I was just like Oh my God It's poetry The lions are alive Wait we're talking about the The lions are alive It's about me

The lions are alive Because they just Destroyed the Bears Which is not A huge achievement But it's about me credit the Lions for doing something like, for instance, the Jets didn't. Taking care of business with a 4110 win at Ford Field.

The Lions, in case you forgot, were left for dead at 1 and 6 was it? And now they've won 7 of 9. They're 8 and 8. And yes, they can get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2016, heading into Week 18. And Greg, you're going to tell us in a bit how that exactly happens. but let's start by talking about this game. How did they destroy the more a bunch of Chicago Bears?

They had a championship response. And yes, it's championship response. I love it. I mean, it's against the bears, yes. But it's also the biggest game they've had in many years. The crowd was going bananas before the game even started. And they're immediately down 7-0. And that first drive to me, like the moment where I'm sweating the most

because I locked up the lions, I think was telling. because two plays in that drive. Number one, third and 10, third play from offense. They blitz goff. They do a good job moving him off the spot. And he moves in the pocket, which I think he's done better this year, making a couple plays where he has to move a little bit,

calmly finds the open receiver after buying a little extra time on third and 10 under pressure, keeps the drive going. Later in that drive, fourth and four. I mentioned on this show last week. I thought Dan Campbell blinked a little bit with his fourth down decisions in Carolina. didn't show that same hootspah that he'd been showing all season.

First drive of this game, down 7-0, goes for it on 4th and 4. They get a penalty, they get the touchdown, and off they went, 504 yards of offense. They only allowed nine first downs defensively. This was a beating. I loved what, one thing I love about how Detroit

adjusted in this game and got out of a fix was that early on, and we were watching this, you know, together, Greg, I was more listening to you. Holding hands. I sort of was like announcing the game as it was happening. I'm a big, I'm loving this line, Steve. I was watching Justin Fields, though,

and he looked like, because he tore them up on the ground the first time they met. It's not a good run defense. We know what happened a week ago. And 20 minutes into this in real time, it looked like Chicago was going to. Yeah. It was like you're going to get one of those games from him. And Detroit might not have any way to stop this after what happened.

We go, they tightened it up. I mean, it seemed like he got banged up at one point, and they kind of de-emphasized. him on the ground and then then what happens to the bears their leading receiver had 27 yards so it's like they're so limited they just can't if it's not him on the ground they're done yeah he finished 132 yards rushing he's up over 1100 yards on the ground but 7 to 21 greggy for 75 yards through the air so the lion's defense yeah is like a finished product uh all the way he's had better day a much better days passing but they're a run funnel as the the fantasy kids would say which they're just

begging teams to run against them. They were a really bad run defense, and that could hurt them against the Packers. But their pass rush was incredible today. The Bears lost two offensive linemen early. You're right. I think they got some breaks. Fields got a little banged up at the end of the first quarter, and then it seemed a little more hesitant, and then suddenly they were facing a big deficit.

In the end, they moved, but they could not protect him. And seven sacks. Josh Pascal, who's a second round pick for them and didn't play most of this season, has entered the lineup late in the season, got a couple sacks. James Houston, who still doesn't have 100 snaps on the season and was playing for Dion Sanders last year, is up to seven and a half sacks and had a force fumble in a key spot on field.

Aidan Hutchinson had a terrific game, creating havoc, had a sack, had an interception. Another interception. The interception was amazing, too. Where were these guys last week? I know. Well, to my point, I think when they can rush the passer, they're a good team.

I think they're a good past. Even's a good pass rush right now, but they just can't stop the run and eventually the Bears is cooking. And how do they, before we move on, how do you get to the playoffs, Detroit Lions? Winning in? They are in the worst spot of the three NFC teams

that are still alive. So it's down to Seattle, Green Bay, in Detroit. Green Bay, winning in. The Lions, as I mentioned, win and they need a Seattle loss. Against the Rams. Seattle, yeah, needs the Packers to lose. so that we'll see. They're counting on the Rams to step up against Seattle.

It's not impossible, but I do think no matter what, getting to week 18 with a chance to either make the playoffs or end the Packer season and end your season potentially on a win and a winning record. You can't tell me that that actually wouldn't be a better end of the season than getting blasted by the 49ers or something in the wild card round. I think they have a lot to play for no matter what. That's all I'm saying.

Can I push back because we were talking about it's like I'll push back on that, that winning in week 18 would be better than a lion's team. If we're going to talk about the Jets as being. I don't think better, but it's going to mean a lot and give you a good feeling is all I mean. I mean, I would much prefer the coaching staff and the players get to the playoffs and you deal with growing pains there and you learn from it for the next year. Because like this fan base has been through hell and back twice. Just making the playoffs is a massive organizational boost.

The Bills, remember when they had that long drought and they got there. I remember Wes was all fired up because he hated that Bill's team. With Tyrod. Because Andy Dalton had that huge touchdown against the Ravens. Like, yes, the Bills weren't a great team that year, but that was an organizational stepping stone. And then all of a sudden they were a big time team. I hope the lines do make it. That would be fun.

I bet you get Sean McVeigh is going to be amped up to knock out Seattle, too. Yeah. Maybe get one more Big Baker game and it opens the door for Detroit. seven and two in the last nine nice job let's hear from dan campbell before we take a break our coach it's just so special um it's as good as it can get i mean seriously you get to go to lambo uh historic lambo uh where the the tops in this division has been green bay every year that's my coach and and to go earn your right you know uh to potentially get in even if you do get that win doesn't mean you're guaranteed to get in i know this is the playoff scenario yeah and uh come on rod and so i just think this is his special as it gets. I mean, I just don't think you'd want it any other way. Very cool. All right. Let's take a break. We'll be right back. All right. We're back. We said earlier the Lions haven't been to the playoffs since 2016. There's another team that has not punched their ticket since 2016.

Let's head to the Swamps of Jersey. The middle ends. Takes the snap. That's my Bruce Fries. Jones rolls to his left. Gets a block from Thomas. He's in the front. Five Jones races in. Touchdown Giants. Second rushing touchdown for Daniel Jones. And let the party begin at MetLife Stadium.

Indeed. Bob Papa. Oh. WFAN with the call. Daniel Jones through two touchdown passes. Ran for two touchdowns. That's four touchdowns for Mr. Jones. And the Giants rolled over the completely like corpse-like,

Indianapolis Colts, 38-10. Remember what Zach Kiefer said a couple months ago, oh, yeah, they'll win one more game with Jeff Saturday as that coach. They're going to do exactly that. But is that key for Nails? I don't think they've won. They got to win next week. No, they've won.

Yeah. They beat the dirtbag Raiders. Oh, that's right. The first game. Yeah. And it's lost out since. Anyway, 3810 giants over Colts and the Giants do qualify for the playoffs. Greg, uh, listen.

I'm not going to take anything away from the Giants. They've had a nice schedule this year. They've had some things go their way. But it doesn't matter the fact that they and Brian Dable's first year with that roster, with those injuries to win nine games and get to the playoffs, big, big, big development for the franchise. And they're playing their best ball right now. I think their last three weeks is their best three weeks stretch of the entire season.

I think their offense is certainly playing their best of the entire season. And I love that Danny Dimes had a moment. I mean, you wouldn't have thought the way his career was going that he was going to have a moment where Brian Dable, very cool, I thought, took him out in the middle of a drive in the fourth quarter. So he got the standing ovation during the game, NBA style, like when they're taking Tatum out after he scores 50. I loved it.

Daibble's done everything right this year, even that. It was awesome. And this was one of his best games ever, Daniel Jones. Like his first touchdown, I think, showed his progression as a player where he gets to his third read. He moves outside the pocket. He's very calm and he finds the guy. He's like making plays and he's being very smart when he's doing it.

And they're healthier. Hodgins and Bellinger's making some plays. I think they've stabilized Sequan's running well. I actually do think they're a little better right now than I've thought most of the rest of the season. Yeah, they did stabilize. Remember, this seemed like a team that was free falling out of contention. Yeah, especially when you were wondering

if Sequan Barclay was going to finish the season, even the shadow of himself, and that has gotten better. And when you get this version of Daniel Jones and you have Brian Daebel who worked with Josh Allen. I'm not saying that Daniel Jones, it's Josh Allen, but you get that power on the ground. 11 for 91 and two touchdowns.

When you get those games, and then you get Sequan doing what he's doing, like the Giants are a tough out. I realize you're playing the cults. I will mention this about Zach Kiefer, by the way. He had a pretty telling tweet today. He said, I've covered some bad teams in my years on this beat.

Teams that unexpectedly lost its starting quarterback before the season, 2017, 2019. This is the worst Colts team of them all. And I mean, okay, he's been there for a long time,

but like the plan also feels completely off the map. They're talking about Jeff Saturday as a legit candidate. I would spread a wide net before I go back down that right. Because by even... I think the owner likes Jeff Saturday.

The owner likes Jeff Saturday. That's the problem. My point is by floating that out there to the media, it makes it seem like the owner didn't really mess up because he's liked them enough that he'll be considered but they'd be nuts

but I don't know what's going on that group the less said about the cults the better at this point let's hear from Saquan Barkley talking about Danny Dimes playing the biggest game and the biggest spot hear his name being chanit you know it's a beautiful thing and you can finally see

he's trying to get a respect that he earns I know everyone want to be a big credit of him or say this and say that but he gave us an opportunity to play playoff football, and he locked it in today. When we needed him most, he came up and made a big place. There you go.

Made some money. One of the reasons I believe in the Giants more than I did, and it's all relative, but it's the defense. They got Zavri McKinney back, one of their best players in their secondary today. They got Adori Jackson back, their best cornerback today. Their pass rush is healthier than it's been. Aziz Ojalari's back.

Tibido had a great game. We can talk about his celebration, if you want Dexter Lawrence. Somewhere Dave Gettleman is watching this game and saying, how you like me now? Danny Dimes, Dexter Lawrence and Sequin Barclay. I'm not all bad, Giants fans. But he's right.

He's right. He found some players for them. There you go. No, the Kavon thing, Kave on our buddy, not our friend. And he'll be on the show one day. He absolutely creamed Nick Foles, who Nick Foles upset that he's injured. He has a rib injury. He was knocked out of the game.

Probably should have never been playing in the first place. really struggled in the way he's looked this season. I don't know if we'll see Nick Foles again, period. He was doing a big time Snow Angel for 10, 12 seconds as Foles was writhing in pain next to him about two feet away. I thought I even saw Kavon, and a lot of people pointed this on Twitter, take a peek and see Foles there and continue to do the Snow Angel. He got, a lot of people got on him.

Ryan Kelly of the Colts called it Horse S. Kavon claimed that he didn't see Foles there. Anyway, it's, you know, it's just, he also gestured, I didn't mind the celebration because you could either see him or not and you're down there doing it. But he did put it like put him to sleep sign over on the sideline while. It's also part of the table. He's also playing great, which is also important. He's all part of the package. He's one of the reasons that the Giants are where they are now because he's been a successful pick, no doubt about it.

I mean, I saw him waving his arms and he's tapping foals at the side. I don't know if he saw him or not. Like, we have to trust him on that. but it was a weird look because I think for me when you had these hits where you have someone like Foles someone that we've seen

go to the greatest possible heights and then he's on the ground writhing in pain and it ended up being a rib injury but I don't know that kind of stuff is like it makes you think differently about the sport in general

and I agree about the Giants looking better than they have even when they were winning a lot of games earlier in the season that's going to be I know you can say oh the Giants it's not an exciting team they're going to play a very close game

again against the Vikings if they meet in the playoffs. And they'll probably rest their starters, as we mentioned earlier. Yes. Oh, nice lock. Yeah. This was probably my most successful lock of the whole year. The first time I've been able to just sit back and be like, all right, they took care of business.

You guys hear something? Do you guys hear something? I didn't hear anything. I mean, I mean. Oh, Justin. Oh, hey. It's the guy who's in last place in the picks competition. Hey, happy new year, guys.

Happy New Year, Justin. Great job on the lock. Thanks. I wish I would have locked that New York team. All right, let's keep moving. Let's head across the sidewalk to Sofai Stadium. Battle of Los Angeles. Yon.

And off to Echler. Echler hits the hole and he's through. To the 40. To the 50. That voice is familiar. It's a foot race. 30, 20, 10. Austin Echler touchdown.

Chargers. 72 yards. A new career long. Leonard Floyd. giving it everything he's got. You're not going to catch Austin Echler. Matt Money Smith. Going into the Hall of Fame, the around the NFL Hall of Fame.

Have you ever got like an exhibit somewhere? Yeah, he would be front and center. He's getting like a whole glassed in portion. And his partner is broadcasting partner. Maybe we'll put the exhibit on Mark's desk. He has nothing else on the desk. So there's... I like if something would happen chaotically, I don't want any possessions here that matter.

Money and Daniel Jeremiah with the call, K-Y-S-R, yes, Austin Eckler, again, if you passed on him in your fantasy draft, as I know I did, to take Jonathan Taylor, oh, you're eating dirt because he's had another huge season, and he led the way in a 31-10 whipping by the Chargers of the Rams, the defending champions fall to 5 and 11, not a lot on the line in this game. The Rams obviously just playing for pride, and the Chargers pretty much locked in, I believe, Greg in the AFC. Am I correct about that at 10 and 6 now?

They have a chance as we're taping this to move up a seed. Wish I didn't say it. Too late now. Good tease, though, for later. Yeah. Anyway, 3110, Echler goes for 122 on the ground, 39 through the air game. Herbert has a very steady performance. Who watch this game?

Who was on this game? Grave Digger. I watch this game. All right. I will say this was a sensational game for Mike Williams and Austin Echler. Austin Echler was at one point in the third quarter was averaging 14 yards per carry. I think he finished with like 12 yards per carry. 12.2 on 10.

I mean, he could have touched the ball more, but at the same time, the starters for the Chargers were out of this game with eight minutes left in the fourth quarter because it was wrapped up and they got to preserve these guys for a playoff game. There you go. I think this matters. I mean, it's the first time they scored 30 plus since week five. and we've been waiting to see the Chargers kind of flex their muscles and not be...

It's the same talking point every week. Like, why isn't Joe Lombardi doing X, Y, and Z with Justin Herbert? Why are they so sort of hemmed in and truncated? It's like, go blow someone's doors off. They've won four straight games. All the things that we expect out of the Chargers to slip up, not happening. Joe, their injury luck getting better.

Joey Mosa played in this game, returned even a week earlier than expected. Might have Ray Sean Slater back for the playoffs. They are a team I wouldn't feel comfortable. with if you're one of those top teams in the first round. And we'll get into the Chargers more later in the week. Good job by L.A. Anything else to add?

I don't think so. Let's move elsewhere in the AFC West where the Broncos and Chiefs are supposed to play a huge week 17 game instead. It wasn't a huge game, but the Chiefs still had to take care of business, did they? Snap for the right forearm of Russell Wilson and he's going to be hit. Chris Jones got him in a bear hug. Now he gets rid of the ball and knocked down. but picked up by the Chiefs at a minute 13 to go in the game.

Chris Jones just took the game in his own hands. Big play there. Sneaky big play for the Chiefs who got into a straight-up battle with the Broncos. It went down to the last drive, and Chris Jones makes the play sacking Russell Wilson to ensure a 27-24 win for Kansas City that keeps the Chiefs in the mix. for the number one seed in the AFC at 13 and 3.

The Broncos have now lost 15 straight games to the Chiefs. How about that? How about that? This was a game from the chief side of it. That was a big play for a young defense. I thought it was a good test there at the end. They needed to make the stop and they got it done. So I know Andy Reid obviously is looking at that as another positive sign

as January comes around. Um, Russell, uh, Patrick Mahomes went over 5,000 yards passing, uh, once again, which is just amazing. He does it almost effortlessly. Um, he also threw an end zone pick, missed a, uh, a gimmee, a deep ball touchdown pass. Um, I think Greg, he's going to probably win MVP, but I think maybe it's just me, but sometimes when I'm watching him, I don't see him locked in as in some other Pat Mahomes years where it's just like, oh my God, uh, this guy's out of his mind. Sometimes there are those slip-ups, but in general

he had another very good game and they took care of business. Although it was quite a battle here. I think his worst stretch of the season is since December started. Not that it's been bad, but you lose to the Bengals. You struggle he played well in that first Broncos

game, but that ended up being a shootout where you don't score any in the second half. You struggle with the Texans. Last week was a struggle offensively. And then this game is close. It just feels like the same Chiefs stuff. I don't know what to think about it, but you end up with 46 yards rushing.

And then your special teams is bad week after week. And I know Chiefs fans have been saying it a lot, like special teams is going to get this team killed. And they keep winning these close games. And a lot of the reason why they're close is because their special teams let them down. Yeah, they had a botched, a fumbled punt by Cadarie's Tony. They had a botched snap on an extra point.

attempt so they just you know another miss field goal I hate that they can't run the ball consistently though it's annoying yeah it's something that yeah I wonder if they're going to try to address in the off season but that's you know that is not the time Jared McKinnon by the way has made history here

is fifth receiving touchdown in five consecutive games as a running back so that that's interesting so they are getting production out of their backfield even if it's not in a traditional way on the Denver side I thought Russell Wilson was better his two of his best games of the season were against the Chiefs,

but in very 2022, now 2023, Russ form, he kind of killed them with a really bad interception that led to a Kansas City score in the second half that kind of set the tone for this game shifting in addition to taking the sack with the game on the line. So kind of more of the same in that, but you did get for the Broncos,

what's the interim coach, Jerry Rossberg? Yeah. You did get that post-firing bump from the team that played very, hard to the end. Ultimately, they came up short. I mean, Russell Wilson, if you want to try to sell it to the next potential coach, good luck with that duty, first of all. But against the Chiefs, your most important divisional opponent, he's got 4169 yards, four touchdowns, also 484 yards on the ground with two touchdowns against Kansas City

in seven quarters because Brett Ripion played a quarter. Ripon. Ripon. Ripon. Well, I say Ripon. But that's wrong. But that's disrespectful to the man. That's a Super Bowl MVP. I'll think about altering that. I don't know where my lexicon came from. It's always said his name. Dan has different pronunciations for your first name sometimes that you don't appreciate.

Yeah, I don't appreciate that. One of Chris Wessling's favorite players on defense for years was Justin Simmons. He loved this safety combo. Justin Simmons has been a beast this year, six interception. And this doesn't quite qualify as developing news. But the Broncos have already reached out to Jim Harbaugh. Oh, that feels, I don't know. For a team that's going to do the old thing

where they go from the guy that was way too nice and soft to the hard ass, Harbaugh, they're going to spend a lot of money. It's Walmart money. That makes a lot of sense. I'm not saying it's going to be the right move. Harbaugh's, he wears out welcomes. He's had some flirtations with the Jets too over the years.

So it's just something to keep in mind. You talked to the Washington Post about that. Ian also mentioned Sean Payton and Dan Quinn. I just, I don't know. I just, I think this is a weird job. It's a weird job. Excessively weird. It's a weird job. Oh, you know what else is weird?

I love this interaction between Adamar Choletta, whose voice, I believe you'll hear first here, and Greg Gumbull, his partner in the booth for CBS. You never want to take a helmet to the Crotchal region. Crotchal? Yes, that's a medical term. Yeah. Being helped off the field is number 27, Damari Mathis. I first heard that from my good friend Ron Burgundy.

Great. Wait, wait, wait, wait, late, late. So math has helped off the field? The chemistry. What really sold it for me was that long, uncomfortable pregnant pause because Greg Gumbulled does not know who the hell Ron Burgundy is what that is. Not a chance. And so he just, just quiet.

And Archilletta just hangs. He just leaves Archeletta hanging to die there. I've had a lot of games where the two of them are doing their thing. And sometimes I think Archelette may have some complaint. off the air about the lack of chemistry potentially. Let's take a break. We'll be right back. All right, welcome back. Let's wrap up the afternoon games ahead of the Sunday night

football, starting with Jags, Texans, AFC South for all the marbles. Not even a single marble on the line. He did in the open field, 40, 30, 25, 20, 50. Does anybody have marbles anymore? Touchdown. What is the state of marbles in culture? And what a great job by the offensive line of opening up a huge cavity. Travis just ran right through them all the way to the end zone. It's kind of gross.

Okay. It's like your internal monologue like interrupts every one of these calls. Frank Frangy with the call W. OkV. That was Travis A-T-N with a 62-yard touchdown. He had a buck 08 and a score before halftime. And then he was done. They pulled him. Same thing with Trevor Lawrence.

Got him out of the game. Did it matter the game for the Jaguars who were playing for the AFC South? Or did we establish it. It actually did kind of matter. They could still get the wild card. Whatever. They took care of business. 31 through him like Ron Rivera now.

Who am I to judge? Jacksonville's 8 and 8. First place in the AFC South. They'll win the division for the first time since 2017. Mark, with a win over the Tennessee Titans next Sunday. The Titans have lost six straight, of course. There were whispers out there, like, could the Jaguars decide to yank everyone because of the nature of next week's game?

Yes. And I just love that Doug Peterson basically sat no one, went in, and then they, on reverse, got to pull a bunch of people late in the game, and they got their rest. I'm pissed off, Angelo. I don't think he is anymore, not after this. No, he famously was upset that the front office made him sit his quarterback when he was the coach of the Eagles.

And he was saying, I think, pointedly this week, Every game matters. And I believe in that, that in this scenario, at least, where it's a young team who's seven and eight. It's not like they've earned, like, let's take off to keep it going. They have to feel like they have a lot of confidence right now. And it's because every part of the team is really contributing, like their running game, their defense. Like, everything's been really clean lately. I think they're feeling great.

Yeah, I'm with you. They're explosive. After that E.T.N. 62-yard touchdown, they flipped around. And, you know, the Texans have been playing well in recent weeks and putting up a fight. But Davis Mills had a sort of a wayward, backward pass that fluttered and was picked up by Tyson Campbell. It was suddenly 21-0 and it's like, this thing's over. Like when the Texans are bad, they're really bad. But it has to do with the fact that, like, to your point, Greg, like when the Jacksonville Jaguars operate in complete fashion like this, they're scary.

I would rather play other teams that maybe would have a higher seed in the playoffs than Jacksonville right now. And I don't know if it's in the lock zone, but. the Jaguars, make no mistake, they're going to boat race the Titans. It's not in, at least the, it was today, though. I checked the early. Oh, there we go. Jack? Hello, Graver.

It's a six and a half point spread right now. No, no, no. Today it was lock-worthy. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. You guys really went out on the limb with your locks this week, huh? Well, that was three and a half when I did it. It was smart. Mark, are you nervous about.

It's a terrible line, but great job. Are you nervous about our game next week, Mark? Which game? Our Titans fans. I've absolved myself. You literally had me removed as a fan on some absurd poll on Twitter. Let's move to...

I do want to bring up the scenario you brought about. Yes, yes, yes. So if the Jaguars lose next week, they could still potentially be the wild card. Right. If Miami loses. Possible. If Buffalo beats the Patriots.

Probably is happening. And as long as the Steelers don't finish this season on a long winning streak. They just have to lose one of a... Very possible. Well, the Steelers play Cleveland this game did matter for Jacksonville on some level. Sure. And they took care of business in a way that the chiefs and the Cowboys couldn't against the Texans,

much less the Titans. And the Texans, good job for the Texans, just stay right where you are, take some L's and get that number one overall pick. And the Jags, I would say like, yeah, we'd want them as the seventh seed over any other team that's in the mix right now. But then you would have a Jags team coming off a loss of the tight. in week 18 and the Titans hosting a playoff game. We don't want that.

Starting Josh Dobbs, by the way. No, I don't want any of that. I want Jaguars over half the teams you just mentioned before. I want it just to see the Dobbs' family reaction to him making the playoffs. Will they react? Will they not? Guys, the doors on the commissary upstairs closed with our free dinner. Let's move.

If we don't wrap this up. So let's head to Atlanta. People need to know the real world stakes sometimes. It is a 21-yard field goal. Hit it, Young Way. To give it. Oh, people should know that I'm doing my kicker rankings during Monday Night Football. And during the call of this game.

People wait for that tweet all year. The old Zeusers kicker ratings will be done during the Monday Night Football Telecast. Keep your eyes on Twitter. All right. People go nuts about the kicker ratings. Why are we talking during every radio call? Now I'm just doing it for fun. Wes Durham with the call.

Apologies to Wes. WZGC. Good call. young way coo hit the field goal at the gun he's been doing that the last couple years and the falcons take care of hang i lost my train of thought on this one they take care of the arizona cardinals 20 to 19 so the falcons moved to 6 and 10 obviously they're eliminated the cardinals now 4 and 12 this was the only game of the week that had no playoff ramifications anybody have a thought It did have David Blow, who, you know, is a friend of the show to some degree. I'm not sure he knows that. 222 yards, a touchdown, no picks.

You just reading a box score over there? Yeah, because I have not yet had a chance to observe this as closely as I would, but I cannot wait to dig in. I think he played pretty well, and I think it's another chance. Ritter looks like he takes little steps every week too. David Blow also had two carries for seven yards. He's a player. Three and a half yards carry.

Not a great average, but also not embarrassing. Arizona is still in the four seat, you know, the number four pick right now. Atlanta went back a couple spots with this win at six. I did want one more win if this is going to be the end of the Cliff Kingsbury era just for hard knocks sake. They're trying hard every week and they just can't get it done. Another nice performance by your guy, Tyler Algier. So something positive for the Falcons that they have a really nice backfield tandem there with Cordill-Patterson. It's funny because I think like two months ago it would not, wasn't really getting much.

notice, but I think he's the leading rookie rusher right now. There you go. There you go. It doesn't help that Pierce went out there. He saw it way ahead of that. He has more than Ken Walker. You actually, when I first mentioned him, you looked at his yards per carry on the season and told me that the whole thing was a joke

and it's like, look where we are now. It's called scouting, Greg. Can we also say that Brees Hall would have won the rushing title if he'd have allowed? No doubt about it. No doubt about it. And I still am upset about that. It wasn't like an anti-Breece Hall take. I know. I know. But it did stir up more negative emotions about my personal fan experience.

Anyway, congratulations to the Atlanta Falcons on the victory. Let's now move to the final game of the day. Sunday night football from Baltimore, Steelers Ravens. Let's go. Pickett wants the snap. He's got it. Back to pass. Looking left.

Under pressure, gets away, throws left side. Caught touchdown Pittsburgh. It's Nazi Harris. Kenny Pickett escaping pressure and finds Harris for the touch. Touchdown, Pittsburgh is taking the lead. Second touchdown catch of the year for Harris, and now Boswell's extra point is up and good. And with 56 seconds to go, the Steelers lead 16, 13.

What a drive put together by Kenny Pickett and the Pittsburgh Steelers. How about that, Bill Hillgrove with the call WDVE for the second week in a row, the young rookie quarterback, Kenny Pickett leads the Steelers to a dramatic. fourth quarter. Comeback win this time, yes, his connection to Najee Harris, who had a huge game in his own right. The difference in a 1613 win for the Steelers over the Ravens that keeps the Steelers in playoff consideration and really sticks it to the ribs of the Ravens who still going to the dance at 10 and 6. But they had this one, Gregie, but pick it once again shows he's got a little something to him. And then the defense getting the pick.

of Ty Huntley to close it out. He's got some hoodspot. This whole Steelers team does. They're fun. At least they're playing their best at the end and like all these other teams trying to get the seven seed. And when we're in the film room

watching this game and they get the ball, we all sort of thought they're going to go down the field and go win the game right now. And that's exactly what they did. And it didn't do it on these simple plays. That's the thing with Pickett. He can be quiet for a lot of the game, but the nice plays he makes are really nice,

rolling to the left on that play to start the drive out of structure. then the ball up the seam was a beautiful throw and then the touchdown those are three awesome throws on one drive. Yeah, he has a legit connection

with Pat Friermuth. That was a 20-yard gain. Stephen Sims out of nowhere that 28-yarder. It fourth and one, picket converts with the push-the-butt thing that everyone's doing with the quarterback's now.

You push the buttocks. And then that incredible throw to Najee Harris where it was Roquan Smith nearly had him. And it took so much for any quarterback to do what he did on that play to escape.

it to see the field, to make the perfect throw, and an incredible catch by Naji Harris. And again, it's these Steelers that are all on their first rookie contracts growing together as a group. And this team that was such a mess at one point in this season, they were two and six after getting flattened by the Dolphins and Eagles, went into their buy, came out, smashed the Saints, and really have not been the same team since, because you've seen their offense, which in the earlier part of the year, the offensive line couldn't keep anyone healthy. The running game was a mess.

They were just, you know, it was like I was going off on Matt Canada on our Thursday show. And here we are. The running game's great. Their running game looks Steelers-esque. And it's just like it's, it is an incredible coaching job by Mike Tom. They ran for nearly 200 yards on the ground. Again, and Chris Collinsworth was pumping up Harris saying it's a best game he's seen from him in the NFL. Jalen Warren's a really nice second banana in terms of their backfield.

And I know this gets thrown around in an annoying way sometimes. especially when talking about quarterbacks. But Kenny Pickett, he's poised. Like in these moments, you could tell he's completely under control. And hitting those type of throws when there's that much on the line, the season is literally on the line there for the Steelers really tells you a lot about him. And it makes you feel much the way I think the way,

and this also shows how things can change so quickly in the NFL, not that the story is written about Mac Jones. But how Patriots fans and the Patriots might have felt about Mac Jones last year when he was making big. plays and leading his team as a rookie. Pickett's kind of that guy this year where it's like, okay, he's not jumping off the page like Justin Herbert or something as a rookie, but there seems like they have something here and a well-run organization might have identified a quarterback who can

really develop over the years here. And that they're all getting better together, not just the running game you mentioned. And I really like Jalen Warren. He's good. The offensive line, like that's a group that stayed together even though they don't look good on paper. And all these games are so low scoring that it seems like they obviously. offenses stink, and they're not great.

But part of it is just they hold the ball forever, and they're these slow offenses. There were three drives for each team in the first half. So there's not a lot of stops. There's just a lot of like seven-minute-long field goal drives. But the way that Chris Collinsworth said T.J. Watt kind of felt himself more this week. I think that showed up. He hasn't really done a lot, even though the defense has been playing better.

So going into next week now, they have the Browns. We won't know the schedule until Monday. the NFL tells us. But we were talking about it with some people that are smarter than us, producer types. They really think Steelers' game will be a... I just mean in terms of TV schedules.

They kind of had a feel of it. Craig throws, you and I also under the bus from an intelligence angle. You know, sit down and be humble. Let's see them the host a podcast and see how smart they are. I wasn't speaking with them. So I'm not sure.

We weren't really thinking about the Saturday schedule. Huge audiences show. The Steelers probably be a Saturday game. Most likely, because that is a game that they can, a good game. Why? Why do we have Saturday games? That is another question, but we do have two Saturday games.

What are we doing with the schedule this year? They want to keep you taking that ibuprofen, that headache medicine that you're dealing with. Headache medicine. Disappointing loss for the Ravens, too. They're very conservative. They're fading hard. They're fading hard. And like we said, Lamar Jackson has missed four games now with any injury.

They need him back, obviously. Ty Huntley, he can't really play the guitar. He's a nice backup. But when they needed him, they had some time to. get down the field with the best kicker that's ever lived waiting on the sideline. And he made a couple like suspect throws, including the interception where he forced it into coverage. And we like, we're Cam Hayward fans. We love Cam Hayward. We met over the summer. He came to this

offices here and we got to talk to him. It seemed like a really like gentle giant type. Yeah. And one of the great defensive linemen in the sport. He almost got a goat horned on this one. What I thought was a Fugazi call. at the end of the first half that gave the Ravens set the Ravens up for their only touchdown in this game. So I was happy, and NBC had the good thought to keep the camera trained on him during that last drive because that would have been the story around Hayward and the personal foul in that pile up late in the first half. So I'm glad that didn't become the story. This is a way better story the way it ended up.

It is. And I love how Mike Tomlin told the NBC crew about their troubles and how they got out of it. We don't die. We multiply. That's so Mike Tomlin asked to me. Nameless gray faces, that old hit from yesterday year. This Steelers team, I told you a couple weeks ago, they were going to win out, and they're going to do it.

What? Nameless gray phrase, that's when they would call the Cleveland Browns, nameless gray faces, then got their butts kicked. It doesn't always work. It's great. But they're a different type of team. When we talked about Tomlin might save this over 500 streak, I don't think anyone really believed it.

No, nobody really believed it. It was just something to talk about in December. And now it's a thing. And they are not moving to Saturday. We've got developing news. We've got a Saturday announcement at least. Perfect. And I like what the NFL has done here.

Developing news here, Justin Gravers. We got Jared Stiddleman in an island game. Chiefs Raiders is going to be the early game Saturday. Sure. Chiefs will be playing for some sort of seating. And the Saturday night game, I like the compromise they made here. They're putting Titans Jags on Saturday night because they don't want to put it on Sunday night,

but they don't want to totally. And then we'll get Lions Packers on Sunday night football. That is the ideal solution. There's no other scenario, right? There is, but because I think they're waiting to see what happens with these bills, this bills game. And I think that'll be the game, but I'm already annoyed. Seahawks fans. I'm annoyed now.

Don't die on this hill that this is so unfair to you to put Lions Packers Sunday night. This is an entertainment product. It's the most entertaining game. And the Lions are going to try their hardest to win no matter what the situation is. I just don't think. Greg is now scolding in favor of it. of his new Lions fan base and fans. He's now scolding the Seahawks fans,

which like four hours ago, he was like their safety. I can't keep track. I could see, I love the Seahawks. I think the Seahawks might make the playoffs and that the Lions will help them out. Have some faith in the Lions that they can still beat the Packers. I don't think the results of earlier games

are going to sway the Campbell Lions. All right, good stuff. Good stuff. Congratulations to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Finally, out of the QB. wilderness after zero years. So we'll be back on Monday night, the Monday night football finale with Chris Wessling's brother, Nick, who sounds just like Chris, if you want to get a little like nostalgic

plus Nick's a very entertaining man in his own right. Great analyst. Great. See, Cincinnati Bengals against the Buffalo Bills Monday Night Football. That's how you close a slate. You've got to stick the landing on that one, Gregie. Joe, Troy, me, Nick, all the big names.

Do not blow that. In that order. And me last. Nick likes to point out, you know, the show's really taken off since he's joined. The Monday night show, the preview show with his locks. He's not wrong. And then we'll be back Tuesday with another episode with the gang altogether.

So thank you to everybody for listening. Happy New Year. happy new year another year the around the NFL podcast 2023 it's happening it's all happening till monday night football heath the call This is an eye heart This is an IHeart podcast. Thank you.