NFL Daily with Gregg Rosenthal - 2022 Week 5 Recap!

Episode Date: October 10, 2022

A room filled with some heroes - Dan Hanzus, Marc Sessler, and Gregg Rosenthal recap all the action from a wild Week 5, starting with the London contest between the Packers and Giants (2:24). Next, the heroes hit Eagles-Cardinals (11:39) and Cowboys-Rams (18:29) before welcoming in Nick Shook to cover Steelers-Bills (26:48) and Chargers-Browns (32:39). After that, we discuss Dolphins-Jets (38:57), followed by Seahawks-Saints (47:40), Falcons-Buccaneers (54:51), Lions-Patriots (1:01:13), Titans-Commanders (1:06:14), 49ers-Panthers (1:12:53), Bears-Vikings (1:16:46), Texans-Jaguars (1:22:04), and finally, we close with the Sunday night thriller with the Bengals visiting the Ravens (1:28:01). 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 has been waiting all day for Sunday night. From the Chris Wesleying podcast studio, it's Around the NFL. One of my favorite Franceserance. The song doesn't even make sense. Nobody's waiting around all day for Sunday night.

They're watching the football. They're watching the football. back after this it's a logical take Dan Hans is here Greg Rosenthal Mark Sessler heroes it is the week five

flagship program and so much to get into yes Greg that gave me like a window into when we're doing this show seven years from now and the start of the show

becomes Dan's version of Jimmy and it's just like hey Robin NFL Mark Craig Dan yes yes Greg it's it's fun to

together on a Sunday night and you know I feel festive right now I feel excited I told Mark before the show that he's wearing his shirt that he's wearing on Sunday night it's more like a Friday night shirt it's more like daddy's going out daddy's getting behind the velvet ropes and I think a little festive party boy mark it's it could be a good thing tonight sure I mean what is the difference between Sunday night and Friday night if unless you make it a difference I see no boundaries. Well, for viewers on YouTube, they can check Mark out,

you know, being the change he wants to see in men's fashion, and then right next to him, I look like it's Saturday morning, and I'm not going to leave that house. You are also the change that you want to see in fashion. I've noticed a lot of fashion, new roads with you over the last couple years.

And don't forget, it's also this show is available on the NFL channel. Yeah. So good to know. It is. Many games are played today. Our job today is to take you through them all. and explain why the NFL is what it is at this moment in time.

Week 5, we had another big time, big time fun game in London. So I feel like, why don't we start there? Let's do it. We're back from England, but the NFL had more business to do. So let us head to the hot toddy where the Giants and Packers did battle. Rogers in a shotgun set, seven seconds to go, Giants by five. Rogers back to throw, spins away from pressure, under pressure again, dances to his right. Now he gets hit from behind and gets whacked in football as a football, recovered by the Packers,

but that is it. Ball game over. The New York Giants have come to London and rang the bell of the Green Bay Packers 2722. Ooh, my Papa. What is this music? Turn this music off, Justin Graver. This is, it's, it's on, bro. It's on in New York City.

Turn this up in my headphones. The G-Men, that was Bob Papa on WFAN. The G-Men got got by an Aaron Rogers Hail Mary in the 2016 playoffs. But these giants, Brian Dables, G-Men. aren't about that life. Rogers got crushed from behind after our friend Kvon Tibido flushed him out of the pocket.

Nice. Been playing well the last couple weeks. And the quarterback was unable to unleash that prayer. The sack and fumble, the clincher and a 2722 comeback victory for New York at, as I said, the Big Tot in London.

Greg, this game, again, the Giants who we see, maybe not talent poor, but probably closer to talent poor than talent rich. But week after week, they hang against their opponents. And in this case, they score 17 unanswered points to stun the Packers in a building filled with Packer fans on the other side of the world. They scored on five straight drives to win the game.

And they held Aaron Rogers to only two drives in the second half before he got the, in the second half before he got the ball needing to get a touchdown to tie at 2720 in the fourth quarter. That's complimentary football. I can't believe how well coached this team is because they are talent poor on both sides. And they're injured too. Like Leonard Williams is not in this game. Dori Jackson easily their best quarterback left in the middle of this game. Aaron Robinson, their other starting quarterback, didn't even play in this game.

Oja Lari has barely played all year. And yet they're sticking to what they want to do on defense, which is blitz on the two biggest snaps of the year. They blitz Aaron Rogers right on the goal line, end up deflecting both of those passes on the drive in the fourth quarter before they tried to set up for the Hail Mary. And the offense is grinding down opponents with the running game. And that takes a little pressure off of the defense. You shorten games when you're not as talent, Rich, and you have good coaching. And that's how they did this. I'm amazed they won this game. The New York Giants to me on our Brian table, we're looking at a couple teams out there with coaches in year three.

year four, and you're waiting to see it, and it's not happening. I mean, we'll see what happens with this Giants team, but there is an absolutely electric difference to who they are, how well they're coached, and at one point, their offense with all the injuries, with Saquan Barclay Sheld for part of this game, puts together three drives of 11-plus plays, long, clock-chewing drives that they were panning to Packers players

sitting there winded. And I really think they broke the Packers in this game to some degree. And they, you know, they're flashing a day. Daniel Jones with his hand bloodied. And I know Daniel Jones is not a perfect quarterback, but he kind of just fits what they're doing right now. And he made some key throws in this thing. And I love the way that they play.

Because I know I get ripped for some time saying, I want these games to be short. What I really want? Ripped. Well, no. It's destroyed. Sessler decimated. I love the way they play because I like drives that are long

and they just basically take a defense and puts them into a box. Twitter is a blaze with people ripping Mark Sessler for asking for short games. It's basically on this show. This wasn't even a short game. game. It was a totally normal game. But the way that they, the way that they, they did like the way they played. And I really think that Brian Dable is proving, and Wing Martindale that like whatever

parts they have on the roster, they're going to maximize them. And this team just simply believes in itself. I don't forget the past regime when Giants fans, and I know many of them, thought similarly positive thoughts about Joe Judge. Oh, I like the way this team. It's kind of a hard-nosed team. People forget how quickly the worm turned there. And everyone wanted Joe Judge out, and he was out.

But yeah, it does feel different right now with Daibel. They just seem to come into games very well prepared. They have a game plan. They stick to it. And Barclay, even though his numbers don't jump out at you, like Mark said, he left this game with a shoulder injury, disappears, comes shooting out of the tunnel, as we're told by Mark Sanchez, and immediately has a huge impact play, scores the two-yard touchdown run on a judge.

direct snap to put them ahead and complete the comeback. And for Green Bay, this is the second straight week where I've been watching them. And I'm waiting and waiting for the defense to make the big play, to get the big stop, to get the game under control. And they can't do it. Here is what Matt Lafleur said about the effort of his team after the loss. Give New York all the credit. They outcoached us. They outplayed us. They definitely wanted it more. And it was the tail of two halves. And they kicked our butt in the second half. And you can't do that in this league. You cannot.

Couldn't get any deep throws going. O for six. They've actually had plenty of explosive plays. They're just a weird team right now, but I think their defense is soft. And we came into the year thinking this is going to be the best Packers defense in a while. It's loaded on paper. Devondry Campbell not playing as well.

Razul Douglas, who had a killer penalty in this game, not playing as well as a year ago. On paper, they look great. And then in the fourth quarter, they feel like you can kind of push them around a little bit. Yeah, I agree with that. And I, and I'll say this, though. I'll say this. They missed Avanti Adams.

And I know that's not breaking news. But there's so many moments in the last two weeks even, but especially in this game where when they, when things get tight, all of a sudden, Rogers, those a perfectly play slant that goes for 38 yards. Like that big play to calm things down. And I know the offense is not the quote unquote, problem right now. But when you factor in the defense that is not bowing up to shut things down and then the offense not quite being where it needs to be, you're getting these close games and it worked out last week against the Patriots and the third string quarterback. But it didn't work out this week. And I think, Greg, they said it. I mean, Mark, they said it. Aaron Rogers said

it last week. He said the way we've been playing is not sustainable playing all these close games. And then they go to London and do the same thing again, but this time get beat. Right, in a game that almost essentially said this is where the Giants journey ends in terms of being the fun little flavorful three and one team. And it was the opposite because this is a Packers team. This is a Packers team that does not play a complete game. So the coach said it today. Rogers has said it.

There's been multiple cutaways with how frustrated he's not in a place in his career where he wants to probably tutor a big group of young wide receivers. Because there's some talent there. There's no doubt. Romeo's been good, but there have been these drops on some of these deep shots. And so they've not played a complete game. I can't think about one moment today when it was 2020. The Giants tied it up.

They had basically, whether you agree with it or not, the momentum, Patrick Claibon. But then the Packers go out and lay an egg going to three and out. And they never really came back from that. And then the tip passes at the end against Aaron Rogers were the Giants defense stepping up, which they've not done in years. They're going to be around now. I've had my doubts about this Giants team. And I still do long term.

But four and one, and there's some pretty soft spots on their schedule. They're going to be a big. part of this season and we appreciate that it does make it more fun it seems like a great crowd there a lot of packers fans there a lot of giants fans and one fan of the around the NFL podcast really made my day joseph warley trying to get an answer to an important question they asked table big spoon or little spoon as he's running off the field coach big spoon or little spoon I don't know if you happen to see a separate Daibol video of him running off.

It was, it was, it made me fired up. He was like getting the crowd going as he's going into the tunnel as if he was like the best player on the team and he was going crazy. I love it. And just in terms of, you know, context of people that don't know. In the middle of the summer, K. Von Tibido was in this very studio. And Mark asked Kvon Tibido if Brian Daibol was a front spoon or back spoon type of dude. And Kavon Tibido looked at Mark like he had an elbow.

growing out of his forehead. He did. And I mean, I still want the answer to that question. I think we, I know the answer. I have a theory. Without proof. Right. Yeah.

Yeah, without proof. Nice job by the Giants. The Packers asking some questions. Now, the Giants have got off to a four and one start now. Last time they were 5 and 0 was 2009. I think that was the year that Plaquescoe shot himself in the leg at the club and everything went to hell. Could the Eagles?

Could the Eagles improve to 5 and O? here we go 43 yard attempt the ball is spotted the kick is underway and the kick is no good it's no good it is wide right

no good he missed it the officials hesitated and he missed it the eagles are going to be 5 and 0 oh you can't

you can't miss that kick Merrill Reese with the call, W-I-P, the Cardinals, after, you know, unfortunate situation with Kyler Murray sliding down feet first, thinking he has a first down. It wasn't, so after he spiked the ball, it was fourth down, so they had to bring out the kicker when they had a chance to maybe go for the win. And then Matt Amandola pushes that thing wide right. Final score, Eagles 20. Cardinals. 17. The Eagles are 5 and 0 for the first time since 2004 when they won their first seven games and finished

13 and 3 and I believe went to the Super Bowl. All right. Mark, I know you're feeling good because you locked up the Eagles. I do feel good and I was not the only ones. As did Greg Rosen he feels good too. But

I could tell you we're looking a little nervous in the second half of this game. I was because this is sort of the Cardinals' blueprint. You know, first four drives, they got like 50 yards. They look like they haven't practiced all week. And the Eagles, in reverse, have two out of three drives that are long, powerful. Their offensive lounge without Jordan Milata was controlling things. And Jalen Hertz is punching in two touchdowns from the one-yard line. And you thought, look at this Cardinals team. They're just missing, they're missing weapons. Kyler Murray threw a terrible interception into what

was one-on-one coverage with a safety waiting there. Terrible throw. And it's sort of like the, you get this every game. The bad version of the Cardinals for typically two and a half quarters, if not three, then they come to life. And they did in this game. I think there's something to pull from a Cardinals angle on this. The ending was a disaster, but which should be noted because it was tweeted by reporters at the stadium that when Kyler Murray, when he spiked that ball, you know, thinking it was fourth and one, that it was, thinking they had a first down, it was actually fourth and one, but we, the stadium inside said that he had a first down. So there was some miscommunication for him.

Like, but still, it's a, you have to have more awareness. That's an excuse. That's an excuse. It's not an excuse. It's a little aspect to it. Well, it'll be interesting. They'll ask them about it. We're taping this too quickly.

For all we know, that wasn't a factor. But I think we're taping this exactly the right time. I'm just saying, like, if he looked up and he saw first down, that, right. I am giving him a pass for that. And that's, if that happened to the road team, we'd say, oh, that's home cooking. It'd be an outcry. But someone who works in the game, um, production staff is dying tonight in Arizona.

I mean, imagine being that guy right now. That's said, though, like, that's not the only instance in this game or other weeks of Arizona looking discombobulated. I mean, the one thing today, though, I thought if you want to pull hope from, because you're going to get, you're going to get DeAndre Hopkins back. I thought the connection between Kyler Murray and Hollywood Brown lit up today, and it really shows promise for the future. Ron Deal Moore made a couple big plays.

You lost James Connor and in came. Like, they do have other parts on this team. I do think, like, Eno Benjamin's a good one. Exactly. Like, it's something to build off of, and it's like this was the part of the season where typically maybe their years reversed where, like, their end of the year collapse is their start of the year collapse. But in general, I don't know if I buy this scene.

Why are we speaking so positively about the Cardinals right now? Because I've got to win this game. And that's, I don't care what the clock or the announcer said. Like, don't make any excuses for Kyle. Or you got to be sharper than that. You have to know what the situation is. He didn't. We would be, Tom Brady would never do that.

Like, that's like, that's a situation. Tom Brady's like lost track of timeout in like the situation. I don't know. Keep making excuse for Kyle Murray. Go ahead. I don't think I'm making an excuse. Why not. Like,

this is a great effort by the Cardinals. It's not a great excuse for him at all. And what I've said was they've been doing this for two and a half, three quarters every week. It's not enough. I just like this was the. It's just another thing in a long line with this team under this coaching staff and with this quarterback where things don't work out the way they should because things aren't tight enough.

It's not a tight operation in Arizona. He played a better football team today, too. The Eagles, we should be talking more about the Eagles. Right, this was the first game where Arizona didn't fall down 10-0 all season because they fell down 10-3 to the Panthers last week. Still haven't scored a touchdown at the first quarter. That's how there started the game. I just think if he looked up and they said first down, it's not someone said first down.

They looked up and on the board it says first down. If he saw that, you could absolutely see that being a factor in why you're spiking. And it was a pretty unique play. It was kind of a brilliant play call I thought by Cliff King's, that he didn't execute right. They called a quarterback run despite not having any timeouts. But if you got the first down,

if he had dove head first or gotten the actual first down. Well, that's part of it too. That's my point. That is the part of my car. He started his slide before the marker. He clearly could have gotten it physically. This is part of the Kyler Murray thing that I find frustrating. Don't straw man this because it's like...

There's no straw man here. I hear excuses being made for this one weird play. I don't think so. We're calling them discombobulated, disorganized for three quarters a week. They're a hot mess, but they've gotten a little. little bit better on offense each week, too.

In certain moments. Their defense did a good job today. They were amazing today. I agree with you guys. I don't mean that. I just mean, they've looked a little more like an NFL team every year. Now, that said, they did come back. They make it 17-17.

It's fourth quarter. The Eagles get the ball. Definitely the toughest situation that the Eagles have been in all year. And the Eagles go on a Cesslerian 17-play drive, where it's almost all runs, but the key play in that drive to me was third and 12. They've been blitzing Hertz all game. It's mostly worked in good spots for the Cardinals.

They blitz him on third and 12. He's totally under pressure. There's free rushers, and he hits Dallas Godd for a first down to go set up the game winning sequence. They didn't end up punching it in, but it was a big sequence where it got him another step, I think, along the way for Jalen Hertz

to deliver like that in a fourth quarter. Yes, the Eagles 5 and 0, like I said. first time since 2014 and a huge showdown with the Cowboys next week. So a lot of fun. All right, speaking of the Cowboys. What a division. The NFC East is back. Let's see what happened with the Dow's Cowboys.

I mean, it's here whether it's here or not. We know that. Across the sidewalk at Sofi Stadium. They're going to give the ball to Pollard. He busts up the middle. He broke a tackle right to the 40. Chase from behind at the 30. Turns left at the 20 to the 10 to the 5.

And Pollard with a house call. Touchdown. Pollard, 57 yards by Pollard. Brad Sham, the Sham God, K-R-L-D with a call. Tony Pollard is better than Zeke Elliott. But whatever. Let's stay positive. The Cowboys are winners of four straight after a convincing 22 win over the Rams,

who are defending champions in name only. More like champions, nailed it. Greg, that is five straight defense. of efforts from Dallas that have ranged from great to dominant. Where does this one slot in? I mean, this is right near the top for the Cowboys defense and Michael Parsons. We've got a punchy Dan Hanses tonight. I like that.

We had a punchy Parsons in the second half. Punchy Parsons. You know, he heard that there was a little bit of a curse, the LT curse. He had had a quiet couple weeks ever since he, you know, got sick and he went to the Giants in the Meadowlands and it's been a little banged up. And you guys said he was Lawrence Taylor. There was a voodoo curse. Yeah, he's better than Lawrence Taylor because nobody has more sacks.

Now he's better. In the first 21 games of his career than Michael Parsons, no one in the history of the NFL. And tonight was kind of a... Get lost. L.T. was better back after this. Exactly. Tonight was kind of one of those like Lawrence Taylor type of games, though. He comes out.

He's limping. He's only playing on passing downs in the second half. And he ended up with nine pressures in this game. And I think they almost all were in the second half, at least seven or eight pressures in the second half. Two forced fumbles. He forced a holding call, a few tackles for loss, three quarterback hits. He was in the backfield. Basically every play he was on the field in the second half of this game. And he made it, much like Monday night for the Rams, impossible for them to run an offense. Now, this is absolutely a Rams problem, but it's also anyone that plays

the Cowboys problem. Because even though Parsons had an epic game, it's everyone else on the offense on the defensive line too early in this game that made it tough for the Rams and they are a problem well and and i mean micha parsons late in the game i i saw a cutaway of him after a tackle where he's sort of doing the thing a little kid would do when he's trying to hold in having to go to number one and it's like oh wait this guy is playing through a terrible groin injury while while wreaking utter havoc on matthew stafford offense i would imagine the the medical staff said he's not at risk of injuring it further so that makes sense that he was staying in he's great so he kept making an impact so you have the defense again they've given up one

touchdown exactly in every game so far this year all five opponents have scored exactly one touchdown nothing more nothing less so you know what you're getting from dallas's d as long as they stay healthy and this isn't a serious issue for parsons hopefully and he continues to dominate that's going to be a big part of this on the ram side of it you know this is really bad this is it is I remember after like week two or three mark we talked about the Rams and I was like I you know let's see where they're at let's see once they get their footing and now it's I don't think it's too soon to panic with the Rams because you take away that Cooper Cup 75 yard touchdown in this game and that's it there is no juice to this offense Stafford looks old he doesn't look and I'm not saying he is old and he can't play anymore doesn't look healthy but the way things are moving the way the offense looks his inability he's thrown one touchdown pass in three games now. And the Rams are not getting anything on the ground,

two and a half yards, a carry on 15 carries. And as we know, as everyone knows, Alan Robinson is not working out. Another very quiet game for him, three catches for 12 yards. So it's that feed, keep pumping it into Cooper Cup, or else. Well, so they're one dimensional on that front because they also, and I get that we,

it's 22 and half the league or more than that, don't care about running the ball. But like there's zero balance to this offense. The whole thing channels essentially through Cooper Cup. There's massive protection issues. We can look at what Joe Burrow and the Bengals did with protection issues a year ago. That's a total aberration in the NFL. Matthew Stafford, under duress, the way that he's been, no matter what they've done with their line combinations,

last week, this week have been utter disasters. The Buffalo game, which I was like ready to throw that out because it just seemed like maybe that's just not, you know, it's week one. Like, that was an indicator of what was to come. Their core issues. And I know Sean McVeigh is after they play the Panthers next. week. They've got to buy. Is it a crisis? I mean, teams have to work the way out of this, but it is because Sean McVeigh has a week in between each of these games to fix it, and nothing's getting fixed. Well, they've played two of the best defenses in the league in a row. But I think

it's fair to say they have a bottom five or six offense right now. I mean, nothing's working. David Edwards, the offensive linemen, they were excited to get back this week from a concussion, left this game after being tested for another concussion, which is very worrisome for him. And when you have two in a short area like that, you're usually not playing football for a long time. But it's also some of their regular starters that were getting beat. I mean, it was, Havnstein was getting beat.

He's their best guy. And on defense, I asked for them to step up, and they did. I mean, the defense gave up only 15 points in this game. And three of those were on a turnover that they basically, stopped and held up in the red zone. So the defense did everything they could. They did give up a couple plays. We listened to the Pollard play, but I'm not going to kill the defense on a day where...

239 yards. When Cooper Rush barely got over 100 yards. 239. I mean, you are playing Cooper Rush, who's played well, but it's a backup quarterback. Right, but they got pressure. They made a couple plays. You mentioned the cup play for 75 yards. 2-2-at-well.

That was the other one. They took out of mothballs, and he had a 54-yarder, but they're just very limited right now. But I do think the fact they've played the Cowboys and the 49ers is making this seem even worse than it is. But that said, if they're going to go anywhere defending the Super Bowl titles, like you're going to probably meet the Niners and the Cowboys again. They have to be a different team in two months than they are now.

And I think they potentially could be. Go check out the Rams maybe in November of last year and some podcasts that we did when they were in a deep funk back then. And you would have thought there'd be no way they could get fixed and then they win the Super Bowl. So it's not over for the Rams, but I think there's reason for concern. I just can't see any,

I cannot watch any more Ben Squarnick six-yard receptions. I feel like that's all their offense is when they're not fortunate in the cup. That was a nice finish for a couple weeks, but we need to get to reality. Six yards to Squarnick, six yards to squarnick, no more six yards to squarneck. It's a Twitter favorite. I mean, he is absolutely more valuable than Alan Robinson, though. That's a huge issue.

I went to go look at Alan Robinson's contract. He has guaranteed 15, million dollars next year. The biggest moment this offseason, granted, there were... Como Cizze Boundago? Just like, there's been, there's some crazy moves happened this off season. But just in terms of a sliding doors moment, Von Miller taking that extra money from the bills when they came in hot at the very end, and the Rams then pivoting and deciding to use

that money on Alan Robinson was a devastating one... And trade Robert Woods. Was a devastating one-two punch in a row. Mm-hmm. All right, so we talked about the Giants. Gosh, Dak could be back for Eagles, Cowboys. It was perfect. Take your time, Dad.

This is perfect because Cooper Rush had 1002 yards. It's like, okay, let's bring Dak back now. It's time. But even if Cooper Rush never threw another pass, if they ever won a ring, he should be first in line. Fitted for a race. He saved them. I mean, how about the quarterback who, in theory, won the ring? Good to have a great defense.

It's good to have Nick Shook. Let's get to our next game. Josh handles it. Back to Trump. pocket collection fires a deep one down field looking for Gabe Davis makes the catch at midfield he's going to sail into the end zone Gabe Davis at the 20 at the 10 touchdown holy mackerel 98 yards touchdown Dave Davis on third and 10 at their own two that's a way to start holy mackerel it's good to have Gabe Davis John Murphy with the call WGR that is that's that Gabe Davis nice to see you buddy facing a third in 10 backed up at his own two first drive of the game Josh Allen went deep Davis caught it in stride 98 yards to the house he added another long touchdown in the second quarter and the route was on final score 38 bills three Steelers how far the Pittsburgh football team has fallen in western

New York shookie here he is our buddy shook the bills are in full flight and it's a breathtaking watch sure is breathtaking, especially when you see them on their own two-yard line to start the game. And then there goes Gabe Davis down the middle of the field, streaking down the field. Josh Allen delivers a beautiful pass to him. 98 yards later, they're on the board. And that was just the start. They were operating. I explain that, though, why you're saying it again, though.

Well, I think he did it in his own way. He did it in his own wonderful way. You're on Dan's Raider. Dan's a little punchy. Nick doesn't know, but Dan's a little punchy. And if ever the pipe has to worry about Dan coming at him, it's tonight. I don't think the pipe ever has to worry about me or really anyone else connected to the NFL media group. Pipe, yes, but that was even more impressive Pipe was that he's cutting that throw that spiral through 20 mile per hour gusting wins.

But that's just what Josh Allen and the Spills offense is able to do that others can't. Yeah, you never would have been able to tell by the statistics, 424 yards passing for Josh Allen. The completion percentage is not totally up there, 20 for 31 overall, but it didn't matter. They were just flinging it around the field all afternoon. I don't know if it's a lack of fear in the Steelers defense, which is basically toothless without JJ Watt rushing the passer. Or if they just felt, you know what, let's let's throw it around the yard and see what happens. They found a ton of success. It didn't know it didn't matter who he went to.

He was great with Stefan Diggs. Khalil Shakir got his first career touchdown today, three catches for 75 yards. No matter where they went. It worked to perfection. This is the bills at their peak. This is what we expect from them offensively on a week-by-week basis. And, you know, again, like I said, against this Pittsburgh defense, you know, they really took advantage. I'm kind of worried about where the Steelers are defensively right now more than I was even weeks before.

Shucky, Allen threw for 348 in the first half. And this is, I know T.J. Watts out. And they're now 0 in games where Watt misses with injury. So you can't, you can't not factor that in. And I know Mick of Fitzpatrick was also banged up in this game. But let's hear from Mike Tom. And this is the worst loss of the Mike Tomlin era. And it's just more evidence of how different things are now.

Post Ben, post a lot of things at one and four. Satisfied with the effort? We just got smashed. Like, what are we talking about here, guys? And if you're watching on YouTube or the NFL channel, you see the intensity in Tomlin's eyes. This was a non-competitive game that was over. really, boys, from the jump on the 98-yard touchdown.

It never felt like a real game. I mean, Shook, it's a tough spot, obviously, for Kenny Pickett. The minute that they named him the starter, you kind of look at their schedule and thought, this Bill's defense and this whole situation is going to be rough. I mean, how did he look to you? I thought at least what I liked about him, there was a couple moments where he took that one hit where they threw him to the ground and, like, its leg bent, and he got up and just was like, this guy is, like, not going to take it sitting down.

I think that's what I kind of love him about his character and is kind of of fire. Yeah, it reminded me of Joe Burroughs week two Thursday night performance in his rookie year against the Browns in which they dropped him back and threw the ball over 50 times. They dropped Kenny pick it back and through the ball 52 times today. It's really speaks to the fact that their offensive line is still not blocking well enough to run the ball consistently. The running game is non-existent again. And they also dug themselves a big enough hole that they had to throw the football. And yet, you know, for the lack of points, I thought Kenny did look good. That interception was probably his worst throw of the day. But he had some

really nice connections, some near fantastic completion. with some of these receivers so they just barely got a foot out of bounds, that type of thing. I like what I see from him. I think you should be very encouraged by him. It's just the fact that they didn't play good enough football as a team to really show that off today.

He's still way better than Mr. Busy already. I'm just going to say that right now and Tony Romo spent a lot of the broadcast raving. You shouldn't be this good this early. You shouldn't be this decisive. That's who Kenny Pickett is to he was in college and I expect him to be that guy going forward.

It's just they need to have more balanced offense to really show that off. The Spills defense is a problem for the rest of the AFC. I think it's one of the most meaningful developments of the first five weeks because ultimately the first five weeks what is it really going to tell us about who wins the Super Bowl?

But I think their defense is even better than I expected despite injuries coming into the year and I think it's just going to make it even tougher to go there and win in the playoffs. All right, Shooky. So the bills keep rolling

they give Zeus or something to think about when it comes to the power rings. They got them at number two. They have a lot to think about it. They're the best team in football? I kind of think they are. I don't want to be disrespect. back full of the Eagles, but I think that's fine.

The Eagles fans will take it well. I mean, the way that you speak about the Cardinals and the fact that they came with a kick of, you know, competing with the Eagles today, I think you've had your answer. We're handing out lollipops to the Cardinals today. No, we're not. We were not. Hey, Shoki, do you want to talk about the Browns? Mark, we were not.

No, I'm annoyed by that take because it's not accurate. Hey, you brought it back up. This is the cross I bear, guys. I'm bearing the Panthers Cross this year and I'll bear the Browns Cross. All right, let's hit it, the highlights of Browns. Chargers. Play clock down to four. Snap.

Kick is up, and it is no good. No good. He pushed it right. Yeah, money. The Chargers are going to get out of here with a win. And man, DJ, you want to talk about the skin of your teeth. Yeah, professional DJ. I mean, DJ worked for the Browns, and it didn't go great from what I recall.

So maybe there's a little. I mean, he moved on to the Ravens, which was a more successful. He's got a scratch. He does like to just laughing at the... Matt Money Smith. It's good to hear Matt Money Smith's voice on our show. I just want to say that's nice. Our friend.

And Daniel Jeremiah with the call, K-Y-S-R. Brandon Staley owes Gade York a beer. The Browns kicker missed a 54-yard field goal with 11 seconds to play, allowing the Chargers to hold on for a 30 to 28 win. That miss came after Staley, the Chargers coach, who likes to play fast and loose, went for it on fourth down near midfield, setting up what would have been a crushing loss for the Chargers.

And yet, Shooki, let me tee up Mark on this one. And yet, Mark, in the end, it worked out because the rookie sensation, who maybe I shouldn't have put it in the kicker club after one week, as it's gone to his head, he can't make the kick. He missed two in this game, another game they lost by two.

Well, yeah, I mean, it's a lesson that, you know, what a kicker does in week one we've never seen before. There may be rough times ahead, especially if you play for a Brown's team, that looking at these first five games, and Shook, you're feeling this as much as anyone, the inability to close some of these games where you had, like, for three and a half quarters,

I see so much that I like about this Browns team, especially with Jacoby Percette, who I never thought would do what he's done, play the way he has Nick Chubb looking like Jim Brown, David Adjoku looking like that contract made some sense at this point. I mean, the defense I have major issues with, but they've had a chance to go five and oh, and they are a mess record-wise because they cannot figure out what to do when it matters most in the end. I think that any time you put a game on a rookie kicker's shoulders, you're asking for trouble.

But more importantly than anything, it's the fact that their defense has not been able to put together anything near a complete or consistent game. It's been a mess. It was bad against the past the first couple weeks. It was bad against the run last week and this week. It was bad against everything. So no matter how well this offense plays, because this offense is putting a good amount of points on the board with who's playing above expectation. Anytime you have those breakdowns defensively,

and they're ugly at times, very ugly, then you're always going to be in these close games. They've lost their three losses this year. Combined margin, six points. That's something that a defense can change. It's just one or two more stops per game. You can win those games. So I don't put it so much on Cade York.

Yeah, you missed two field goals. He missed an extra point that opened the door for the Jets to win that game too. It's more about the fact that you cannot play consistent defense. And it is embarrassing. It's to the point where I'm watching out to see if they get rid of their defense. defensive coordinator after only five weeks. Because it's that bad, it continues to happen. It's terrible.

And that's why they are where they are. They're an average team because of it. Because Shook, like, this is not a first year coordinator with new players. This is like these guys should know what they're doing. Yeah, we're just sitting in. Part of the reason the Jets get back in is because Denzel Ward, who should be a top five cornerback from what we know gives up, he's get burned by Corey Davis. It's like, what is going on with this defense?

Because we've heard would say, oh, we're going to need to simplify things. I don't like hearing that from a multi-year coordinator. Week five simplifies a bad. sign. They seem like a dumb defense. They make a lot of mistakes and there's a lot of confusion and they seem like an incredibly soft defense. I mean, the Falcons embarrass them last week and the Chargers had 238 yards rushing in this game. Going into this game, they only had 258 yards rushing on the season. They almost topped that today. So that's a toughie. That's not good. And by the way, I see you were trying to get on Staley there playing fast. I am. Hey, how about how about you try to win

the game a couple times. We've been asking for coaches to do that forever. Give the balls to your best player and try to win and hey, how about have two chances to win the game, win on offense or win on defense? That's why you do it. That's why you do it. I get it and to Staley's credit, he didn't back down after the game. He said

we're willing to live with that decision. There was no way I'm taking our offense off the field. And Cleveland's defense stinks. Okay, there's logic to it. But I just think it was beyond the onions, put them in a wheelbarrow because you have a two-point lead. you're at your own 46. You're up by two points.

You take a timeout, and then you go for it. The Brown's had 70 seconds and no timeouts. If you just execute on special teams, I think you're in good shape, but I understand that side of it. The numbers would say that's like one of the clear, no, I know you don't want to just go off the numbers, but that would have been one of the most clear decisions possible,

like one of the worst decisions of the week to kick it. And it's partly because of the lack of timeouts because you can hope for your defense to stop them still. if you don't get the yards. So the analytics would support going for, right? Oh, yeah, it was like a plus 12 percentage type of point. I think we agree and see all this business, but to me it just felt in the moment a little bit extra.

Keenan Allen didn't like it. He was watching at home. What did he say? What did he tweet here? Hold on. He said, what the F are we doing? What the F are we doing? Exactly.

See, I got Keenan Allen on my side. That guy is a stud. All right. Shoki, any other thoughts of a game where the teams combined for 908 total yards, 53 first downs. And your boy, Jake Frisket, has thrown just three interceptions all season.

But, man, he chooses. And killer spots. He chooses a, they've all, yeah, quite time to do it. The last three minutes of the game. Last three minutes of the game, he's thrown all of them. But you know what?

I've agreed with Greg a lot in my life, including agreeing with him on his decision to hire me way back in 2014. It was a great one. I've never agreed with him more than in this three minutes right now. Thanks, Nick. Didn't know where you're going with that, but I liked it. Well, we'll see you.

See you if you're on the show next week, Nick. All right, Nick. Your Jets are a winning team and you're punchy, Dan. I love it. I love you, Nick, and we'll see you next week, buddy. All right, guys. All right, we'll take a break, and then we will get to those New York teams. Don't you go against those analytics, Dan?

Never, I wouldn't. I wouldn't dare. We'll be right back. To the Swaps of Jersey. Play action. Thompson looks down field under pressure. Lost the football. He was sack.

It's stooped up by Twin and Williams. He's at the five-yard line before he's brought down. The Jets with a strip sack. Cranon Williams. Hands up with the recovery. First and go, Jets. Do you hear that? Well, you hear that?

You deserve it. Forty Burger Bongoes. No, not just I deserve it. Jets fans deserve that. You hear the buzz? You hear the buzz in the building? At MetLife Stadium? him when Carl Lawson

ices that game with the strip sack of the third string quarterback of the Dolphins? Whatever. Bob was choosing with the call. Big play after big play. That was the story of the fourth quarter between the Jets and Dolphins. The Jets

making all the big plays. Miami giving them all up and it ended with 47. The Jets beat the Dolphins who were 3 and 0 now 3 and 2. And as I said, You had Tua, didn't even travel with the team as he continues his recovery from the concussion. Teddy Bridgewater steps in on the first series. Soss Garner blitzes off the edge, untouched, waxed Bridgewater in the end zone for a intentional grounding safety.

And Bridgewater suffers an elbow injury, gets examined for a concussion. He gets ruled out. So he is out. So Skyler Thompson, who was a preseason star, steps in. and he was fine. I mean, he wasn't, he wasn't lights out, as you wouldn't expect them to be. But he wasn't the reason Miami lost this game either, in my opinion. What happened here was the Jets jumped out to a big lead early.

And Miami gets things under control to the point where early in the fourth quarter, they're lining up for a field goal with a chance to go ahead. And every Jets fan is thinking the same thing. I can't believe we're going to blow this game with this situation to run our Armstead also went out for the Dolphins early in this game with the toe injury. Their star left tackle. And yet the field goal is missed. And then with Breece Hall leading the way, the Jets offense takes over.

And then the defense gets the stops. And all of a sudden, like I said, Mark, there's juice around the Jets. I don't know if they're frisky. I don't know if they're spicy. But they don't suck. They don't suck. And this is interesting. They're at least frisky.

At the very least. They are certainly frisky. I think they are on, you know, just over the. the hillside exists spicy. Go to Lambo Field next week and go to get a tub and you're spicy. The reason I think they are because like... So spicy is definitely better than frisky is what we're saying? I think it's a matter of opinion.

I tend to think you graduate from frisky to spicy. I tend to agree with you. I think frisky is also a mood that comes and goes. Spicy if you're spicy, you're just spicy. Spicy food stays spicy for the most part. That's what the Jets are. Can you say spicy if you were times? I mean, I'll say it definitely cutting.

this team, because this team has sucked wind for as long as we've been doing the show outside of that fraudulent 10 and 6 year. It wasn't fraudulent. Well, whatever it was. It ended in a fraudulent. This is actually, I think, a day where you could say it is a big win for Joe Douglas, who, you know, Joe Douglas gets a lot of praise, and it's like we haven't seen it in wins, but his picked players are starting to become the core of this team.

Like, Brees Hall today, sauce Gardner, I mean, it wasn't so much a day, but Garrett Wilson's been good. Zach Wilson, after last week, he played a steady game today, it looks like today. It's like, you can see the makings of a real team. And we finally, I thought, got the Robert Sala that we got a little bit on the Niners sideline that I think helped get him a job because the guy was total fire. And here he was today. Very pumped up.

And he should be because I think you put all this work into this and you go through the seasons and it's like last year was so rough. You've had injury situations with your wannabe starting quarterback this year already. Got to deal with Joe Flacco. And this happens today. I don't really care for the. the Dolphins side of it that much because it doesn't really matter. It's just the Jets probably learning we can win games.

Yes. That matters. And that was they've stolen the three wins that they have all came two comebacks in the fourth quarter and then this game where they almost let a game get away and then they just impose their will on an opponent and blew them out of the building. So these are encouraging signs of growth. I think there's some swagger that starts to build a young team. And the Jets are one of the younger teams in the league.

So there is much reason for optimism after this game. The earlier comebacks, the Steelers win, the Browns, I almost didn't know what to make of those wins because they range from unlikely to miracle. This one's like, this is the one where you go, okay, I understand the dolphins were short-handed, but the fact- But it doesn't matter, yes,

because the Jets got the job done, and you're right. The thing that's been haunting the Jets during the time we've done this podcast since 2013 is they don't have any good young players. They keep whiffing in the draft, so they stay talent poor. Sauce Gardner also had an interception in this game. He is a big time, big time defensive rookie of the year candidate.

Garrett Wilson, absolutely in the discussion as one of the best wide receivers from his rookie class. And Breeze Hall, with almost 200 total yards in this game, he has, I think, maybe over 200, has announced himself as a potential star himself. So there are true reason for optimism. Can you imagine WFAN? tonight. Well, see how the Mets do. Well, right, but with both football teams that have been more abundant for so long,

like showing some. I said this is the first time since 2015 that they've been both over 500. It's a long time. Midway through that year, they were. That's a long time. It's crazy. Babies are now eight when that was. They are so much more talented, just generally.

And you're right. That's the thing about putting a little, a few deposits in the Mojo Bank early. You're right, they got a little lucky in those wins. You don't know what to make. It doesn't matter. Those wins still count. Yep. I keep saying.

Who cares? Those wins count, and then you have games like this where you totally deserve to win, and that counts too, and you start to feel that you're in every game that you can win in any situation. You said Skyler Thompson wasn't the reason they lost, but I didn't watch the game. You know, they average under five yards per pass attempt. They were almost leading the league coming into it at nearly eight. That's fair. But also, well, I don't even know.

What was your Skyler Thompson throwing the ball experience? What was it like? The numbers lie a little bit because they gained 100 yards. in penalty yardage on deep shots that got flags. So he did take shots. They didn't register in big gains for the receiver statistically, but they moved the ball with him thrown downfield. So probably would have been better with a quarterback with more experience.

But again, like they just got beat on both sides of the ball in the last quarter of the game and turned it into a laughing. Well, they got to worry if they don't have, you know, their top two quarterbacks next week, they also could be without Xavier and Howard who missed this game, their top cornerback. And then the Armstead injury, that's been a recurring injury. And they mentioned that it was a situation where they wanted to get him out early

because they have a plan of like a specialist he's going to see in New York. And that's their big time left tackle who's missed a ton of games over the last five years for the Saints. It's one of the reasons the Saints didn't want to resign. They can't have an injury without it becoming like a total like unsolved mystery scenario. And in that vein, I do want to say the NFL has the new concussion protocol. And you saw with Teddy in this game. He had no concussion symptoms.

He passed every test, but because a spotter saw him stumble, he was removed from the game and that was enough to take him out. And now you could either tell me that's the NFL making improvements or you could say some corrective steering has been done to the point where we're not letting guys play when they're symptom free and telling the coaching staff, I'm ready and I want to go in. This is all fallout from the Tua injury and the back-to-back games. And we announced this rule change.

this weekend, so you better believe we're going to find a way to give you an example of it on Sunday. Especially if it's a Dolphins quarterback. Well, I think the whole idea is that guys can pass the test and be symptom-free and be very much at risk for a head injury. Like, you can look like you've...

The players have shown they know how to pass these tests basically when they still are in having a problem. So they're airing now on the side of caution. That remains murky still in terms of like, you ask the question, what happens in January if a spotter thinks that Patrick Mahomes took a misstep.

Is he out of a playoff game? I mean, it's, there's... Hopefully we don't find out, but, yes, that's something to track in the post-to-a-world after his head injury. Let's move now to the Superdome where Gino-Mania looks to keep running strong. From the right hash mark,

Taysam Hill, keeps it, looks for first down, and he's got it, and he's got ruined around. 50, 40, 30, 20, will he get caught from behind? That is going to be a touchdown. Taysom Hill.

Tosem Tee-D. 60 yards. Mike Haas with the call, W.W.L. I don't know how Taysom did it get caught there. He was running out of gas and he's looking behind him, waiting to be tackled. Just never got tackled. So he goes into the end zone, one of three touchdowns for Hill. Taysam Hill, still doing things, including that 60-yarder in the fourth quarter.

He threw a touchdown pass. The Saints snap a three-game losing. losing streak, and they much needed. 39-32 win over the Seahawks. Gregi, Hill has always been a polarizing player. But in this game, he kind of saved their butts. He has been great this year. He has been the most consistent part of their offense.

This isn't just a one-game thing. Now, four touchdowns in one game. Also went one-for-one as a passer, you mentioned, for a touchdown. So that's his fourth. That's pretty unique. but he's been very valuable for a really disjointed offense and I know someone could come at me with some numbers but it feels to me like practically every time

Tayson Hill has come into a game this year like great things have happened he's their only answer in the red zone defenses have not had an answer for him he's just a great power runner and he almost never throws the ball so teams know he's going to run and this offensive line is blown up holes for him

and he was crucial in finishing those drives but he also was their kick returner because Deante Hardy got hurt and he had some pretty good kick returns and oh by the way, when they're trying to seal the game I think it was on a Camara run they had Taysam Hill in at fullback and he blows open a huge hole

knocking out a Seahawks linebacker it's like I was thinking about Chris Wesleying and I was thinking about Mark in that first Taysam Hill year where you guys were fast fascinated by him and enjoying it. And this was like an ultimate Taysam Hill games. It was great.

It was great. It was a post-Shon Payton universe. But I had that sandwich bet that one year where I think I said he would score five or more touchdowns. And there was an elongated journey to get to that. I mean, it almost happened all in one day here. Yeah. It's, I remember there was that playoff game.

I think it was a playoff loss where we were saying to the best player was on the field was Tayson Hill. It was just like, ah. Like you don't like that stuff, but he was. But it's been like a meandering journey ever since for Hill's. But to see him, you know, carry this team. And Andy Dalton, Greg, what was, what do we see from him? Because I know James Winston has been now out a couple weeks,

and it's very kind of murky his timetable. Do you think Dalton is doing anything to hold on to this job? Yes. But do you think it's his job? Yes, just because I think they're just going to see how it keeps going. He's been far from perfect in both these games. I think he looks similar to a week ago where he's a little late on a couple throws. He had a bad interception.

They also dropped a couple passes. He wasn't like the answer, but everything makes a little. little more sense with him. And he also was playing without Jarvis Landry, was a surprise late inactive, without Michael Thomas. And then Chris Olave was concussed on a touchdown catch that was overturned. And they said it was a touchdown, but he slammed his head after possessing the ball. So they were in a tough spot here offensively. And to me, he's just a little more trustworthy and I think is making more sense in terms of their offense. They needed 39 points. today because their defense was not really stopping Gino too often.

Then again, Dalton, you know, set up some of those points with a bad point. I mean, Gino with three touchdowns of 30 plus yards. I mean, I think Dan and I are just taking constant Ls on the Gino front because... No, I'm playing the long game. But I'm waiting out. But I mean, at this, I also sit, like, there is no L. Right. The fact that he had a five-game stretch like this is beyond anything anyone could have imagined.

He's not supposed to be doing this. He genuinely looks great. He looks great. And he's, he, I, it is a, it is. one of the most bizarre developments of the NFL season. I'm taking the long game because that's the only choice I have at this point. It is the only choice yeah. The short game isn't going to play. I said that

I had washed myself of all critique and was willing just to see what he did before the season and I am seeing it and I'm kind of just stunned this is our reality. Dimes in this game you mentioned three touchdowns, 268 yards. He did take like a sack at the end that was kind of an

old, you know, when they needed a touchdown drive late in the game that was tough for him to take was kind of old Gino held onto the ball, but his great throws in this game were next level. I mean, you have to kind of say if you're just judging quarterback play on this season alone, he's got a pretty strong argument as a top five quarterback in the NFL this year. You're right. Right now? I would say maybe a true great quarterback would have rallied him to a win today.

I didn't see the game, but, you know. They put up 32. Maybe get that last touchdown drive. They had a terrible day, though, because they lost Rashad Penny, who to me is such a key to this offense. to a potential broken ankle that's going to knock them out for the season and I just don't think they're the same team without him.

One little seat like every time I look up at the Seahawks defense like Tariq Wullen is making a play. Yeah, he was the one making Taysam Hill look slow. He had a 4-2-640 so that's why he was catching up. Don't try to have your own Hufanga.

What? You're trying to have a Hufanga. I've been pumping up Tariq Wollah. No, you can, but I see what you're doing. You're trying to have a hooponga. Why would I... Why is he not allowing you to enjoy Hufanga? because he had a good week one

and he was assigned to the 49ers. But you're not allowed to like other defensive players. You do not own me or set those rules. How about that? I just think, am I heard? I have a company org chart too and you are not above me in the company org chart. He was great.

But is it true or is it not true? What? You see that I'm enjoying my Hufanga high life and you're like, ooh, I want my own Hufanga. I mean, I completely forgot about your Hufanga thing. He's picked the wrong guy. I've been bringing up Wulin every week. He is amazing.

So you've claimed him. He's kind of my guy. I mean, you two are. You two are intensely possessive. I don't understand. It is the sport for all the people, not just you to have you a little barn of players. There's a blank spot for your guy.

Well, there's hundreds of other people for me to pick from. I'm taking Jack Jones, too, of the Patriots. Sorry, great dinner. Also off the board. Extremely possessive. Just a fun note for this game and for the Saints in general. The Saints are 2 and 0 against bird teams. Dan's not going to like this.

0 and 3 against non-bird teams. And they have a chance this year. This does not happen very often. Two of the whole bird gauntlet that they could play this year. How many bird teams are there? Cardinals in week seven, Ravens in week nine, Eagles in week 17, so they have a chance to go five or six in no because they play the Falcons twice.

Or five and 13, or five and 12. It would be really fun if they only beat bird teams, I think. And five and 13 if they snuck into the playoffs at five and 12. Just to let you know mathematically there. A bunch of nugs in there. All good. Speaking of birds, the Falcons, they headed to Tampa. They wanted to make a statement, could they?

Rudolph in motion to the right, the snap, play action fake in the past by Brady to Fournett. Touchstops have a way. Easy pickings for Tom Brady and Leonard Fortinette. Fire the cannons. You know, that is so on brand. The Bucks are kind of my radar. It's not a very fun, exciting team. We're doing like a, you know, a dump pass to Lenny Fournett for the touchdown for the highlight.

But that's it what it is. But he deserves it. You know why? Lenny Fournette was a stud in this game. He's been quiet this year, but he scored two times. touchdowns had a mess of yards in the bucks, take care of business with a 21-15 win over the Falcons. Mark, the Falcons made it close down the stretch,

and you were very fired up in the newsroom today over a particular call late in this game. Well, I think anyone watching this game would be, and certainly Falcons fans watched a potentially season-altering comeback melt away with what was one of the worst calls. Take us through. What happened? So late in the game, Tom Brady is driving, but the Falcons essentially have him stopped

and throw him down. Like there is a Grady Jarrett sack on Tom Brady that would have ended the drive. And it is called essentially for roughing the passer. And he put his arms around him and kind of wheeled him around to the ground. Perfectly fine tackle. And then this is the call what happened.

West Durham and Dave Archer from WZGC. Listen to their annoyance because it is, it's fitting. Falcons Radio. Brady working from the gun. Brady retreats. Looking, looking. Here comes Grady, Jared. You shall not pass.

Oh, that is brutal. Surely they didn't call slinging him down. This will be a horrendous call. A disgrace. They're going to call Grady Jarrett for slinging down Brady on this sack. You will not see a worse play than this. Speak, speak to it. That's a disgrace.

I mean, we're watching that. on the video here, and it just, it was unbelievable. And that drive also, not even close, Mark. Not even close. That drive also had a third and four call where the Bucks had the ball. And A.J. Terrell was called for holding. That was a completely bizarre holding call.

And then even later, this went against, this went against the Bucks, but there was a deep shot that should have been passed interference so that the calls were all over the place, and it seemed like this was almost a makeup call of some sort. But it completely changed the game and allowed the Bucks to, go on to win when the Falcons, like they've done in other games,

were growing spicier and spicier and spicier. And they did not have Cordill or Patterson. Frisky or spicy? They're frisky. They are, I guess, to me, I want to see them as spicy because... Should we have a spicy, frisky conversation on Tuesday show? I think it's time. I think we all have our different ideas.

It's time to have that conversation. And even before when I say it right now, even before when I said I had my definition of spicy, I just, I see it as all sorts of things. both ways, but the Falcons just had to be so frustrated because this should have... I mean, they still would have had to score a touchdown, you know.

They would have. They would have had to, but I think they could have. I mean... Let's not hand them a victory if they don't get that call. That's all I'm saying. I'm not annoyed. I think it's just a change. It melted away their shot at going down the field. I'm like also a little annoyed by your guys's a little narrative lately. Like, oh, I don't like the style points.

Tom Brady's not being entertaining enough. He's 45 years old and he has 730 yards at the last two weeks, but it's not like pretty enough. You know what I'd say? It's like, oh, Matt Ryan, put him in a casket, and he's eight years younger, and Brady's out here throwing dives in you, what do you want? You're not wrong.

Like, I, go watch. You're 45 years old. Like a one and a half yard touchdown row. Greg, back the truck up for one second. Go watch the game. Go watch the game and see if it looks like he threw for that much yardage. It's all, it's like, there's not a lot of downfield action. It's a nice stuff with Mike Evans.

That's all I'm saying, Gregie. It's not a visual joy ride. I'm looking forward to watch. watching this game. So I'll reserve comment on like my thoughts on their offense. But I'd love to see a couple of those like patented Tommy Boy spirals 50 yards down the field that Chris Godwin catches in stride for 70. You're just not seeing a lot of explosiveness from the offense. But I guess I hear what you're saying. I'm saying this man is 45 years old putting up 350 yards a week. I don't know what should we bring up his age. We've already we've already because he's doing something no one's ever done in the history of the sport. So I'm missing my point. I'm grading him on a different curve. I don't, I think you're separating Brady, who's throwing the ball well from the way that it is to watch this offense. It's just something is a downtick from that past years. Mark, no doubt.

There was a boy who ran onto the field, and according to the Associated Press, was tackled hard by security personnel. This feels like something that would spring from your imagination, or maybe it's the boy inside you running onto the field, so it wasn't even a real person. Anyway, do you have anything on this? I mean, I think, you know, I had predicted in our, October 4th, something's going to happen by then predictions, that a streaker would happen at the Rams. It was a protester. Streakers are nude.

But within that seven-day period, two human beings are doing this. And this is more bizarre. It's a child. Right. No one has a video of this? Are we? I don't think you should.

I don't think you should. Let's not bury the lead here. I want to see it. The security guard goes, oh, here's a 10-year-old boy. I'm going to slam him to the turf. I mean, to me, if you run out on the field, the laws of the society don't apply. Age doesn't matter.

I read that the mother said that he was 10, but the official said he's older than 10. And then they said, hey, mom, why are the kids on the field? She's like, I got a lot of kids here. I lost track of this one. How would the security official know by sight that he was older than 10? This kid, yeah, this kid had some pretty good lateral quickness. So I don't think you could cut him any slack. Hey, Ma, how about we don't take all the kids to the game

if we can't account for them. Right, limit the selection of who's going. He got body rocked. They would have called a penalty on that if someone did that. Well, what is the security man is meant to body rock people when they, I'm not siding with him necessarily. I side with children. And they did ask Tom about that BS call and he said,

yeah, I don't like the calls, which is what I would say too. All right, let's take a break. We'll be right back. All right, let's move on and check in with the team of ATIA and they have to. They have to do something. I mean, they did something. To Foxborough. Steady the hands, he takes the step.

He is going to look to play it out. He's chased by Jukeye. Go ahead. It's scooped up. Decker has it. But raised to a 3530. Decker's in the clear to the 10. End zone bound.

High stepping, leaping. Coming down on the touchdown, New England. There's a call by Bob Sochi and a sentient power aid bottle. WBZ. You know, I don't know, man. I don't know. Kyle Dugar made a house call from 59 yards out. Ramandre Stevenson rushed for a career high, buck 61,

and the Patriots mowed down the toothless lions. 290 at Foxborough. Greg, you know, this is, to the credit of Bill Belichick, the Patriots are, like, unique to me that even now that they're not special, But if they're like ready for a team and prepared and a team comes into their building on certain Sundays, these things happen. Like, Belchick has a team's number and has them cooked up, 30 nothing, 40 nothing, 50 nothing, always in play. It happens a couple times a year, happen here. I think that's well put.

And it speaks to the Patriots will still let other teams beat themselves. And I thought they were so close to doing that. couple of weeks against two decent teams, the Packers and the Ravens. But when they play a team like the Lions who are ready to beat themselves, they let it happen. And defensively, Bill Belichick had Jared Goff in a vice grip. I mean, I was having Super Bowl flashbacks. They got very aggressive with their pressures. And Jared Goff didn't know where it was coming from.

This offense, which had scored the most points of any in the league, did not know what to do. and Goff was holding the ball and having that sort of goffian type of game to the point that Dan Campbell's comment to the sideline reporter coming out of halftime was like, Jared just needs to relax back there. And I was like, ooh, don't say that publicly.

He did not relax back there. Is this a Matt Patricia revenge game? It would have been positioned the other way, I think, if they had lost. I'm sure the Lions players want to get after. Let's hear, and again, the team of around the NFL, since we name them the team of around, on the NFL are winless in three games.

Team of A. Team. To me, it's about as bad as it gets. I mean, this is the worst. You know, this is where we're at. And sometimes it's going to get bad before it gets better. And, you know, I believe we hit rock bottom. So now the only place to go is back up. What is happening to you, Dan?

Can I hear it? Play the Viz McMahon one. The way it led right into Patricia was brilliant producing them. Team of ATL! I'm sorry, Lions fans. Hey, man. This is a bummer.

The Lions are not doing well. Is it rock bottom? Because I think so. I think they're going to bounce back. I guess these things can always get worse. 29-0 is pretty bad against a Patriots team that's starting a third-string quarterback. And the one thing that I wrote about in the Power Rangs last week

It's like we knew the defense has all sorts of problems. And we saw it again in this game. But the offense had been scoring 35 points a game. And the concern was what if that comes back down to earth and the defense stays bad? Then you're one of the worst teams in the league. And that's what they look like. Based on the score, that's what they seem like in this game.

You were a factory of sadness. They went 0 for 6 on fourth downs. So that was a factor. Like they were moving the ball. That's the most fourth. anyone's ever attempted, no one had ever topped five without doing it, without gaining one before. Jack Jones is a thing.

This rookie cornerback is a playmaker for the Patriots. And Matthew Judon has been, yeah, you can't have Jack Jones. I'm not playing this game with the two of you throughout the entire episode. And Matthew Judon is having a monstrous season. That was his strip sack. He had two sacks in this game. He has a sack in every single game this season.

And yeah, you mentioned Zappie. Oh, by the way, the third string. quarterback goes 17 for 21, 188, and his interception only came because Nelson Aguilar starts playing volleyball. That is so Patriots, by the way. Yeah. It's almost like all the hand-wringing about the coaching staff being in Tatters. This is a well-coached team that's going to make the most of what they have.

The AFC East is back. How about that? This is the best. I don't think the Patriots are going to be major factors, but I think they're going to be a tough out. And this is a team, a division full of their house. They're a nice little berserker. Let us head to.

Landover. Wentz takes the snap, looking, throwing, intercepted, intercepted, David Long. And the title had shut down the commanders. That was the big play, and it came on the last play, and that's three in a row. Never a doubt. I doubt it. Mike Keith, WGFX, with the call.

David Long Jr., intercepted. Carson went to the one-yard. headline with six seconds to play, allowing the Tennessee Titans to escape with their third win in a row. 2117 over the commanders. Grave-digger, you know what? Listen, don't look now, but all of a sudden, Titans are in first place. Everybody else stinks. The AFC South seems to be in good order for you. But I'm sure you were white-knuckling this one with the rest of Titans Nation when Carson Wentz had them at the one, right? Well, here's the thing. Carson Wentz had gone the entire game without making a mistake.

Do. So as a Titans fan, you're like, it's coming. Here comes the interception. I had locked up your Titans. And even I was standing next to Gregi in the newsroom. We were watching it. And I was like, no, he's going to botches. He's Carson Wentz.

It's coming. It's coming. And after he nearly threw one pick, then he threw the one that ice the game. On the next play, yep. And this was a pretty ugly game overall, I feel like. Lots of sacks, lots of holding penalties. Both offenses struggling to move the ball. Titans score seven points in the second.

half, which is the most points they've scored in the second half since week one. So that was an improvement, I guess. Both teams really banged up on the offensive line, so it felt like both quarterbacks were under pressure the entire game. And that was just, it's not fun to watch. Just, I'm going to check right now in real time,

did these teams combine for 600 total yards of offense? Here we go. Yes, because for the fourth game in a row, the Titans allowed a 300 yard passer, which is the longest streak in franchise history to allow a 300 yard passer. This is such a Titans game. You get outgained by 140 against the commanders, but you get out of there. That really was a great play at the end.

But I don't think it's a rule just because you can get four plays that you have to throw the ball for straight plays because it's Carson Wentz throwing the ball. I know they don't have a timeout. They had 18 seconds when they were set up at first and goal on the one. You could have put Carson Wentz in sort of a run pass option situation and get them out on the edge on first down. and even if he gets stuck in bounds and makes a bad decision, you can still get up to the line.

Like when he was throwing the ball, it was just waiting for the interception. Well, it reminds me of also like the Thursday night game, the way that ended with Russell Wilson and straight shotgun, with nobody in motion, no run-pass option. And you just kind of like put yourself in a tougher situation. And with Wence, it's like why give him so many chances to mess with you? He's a big guy.

Like head towards the goal line. Good things could happen. But that shookie, I guess, not shookie, grave digger, I think the issue that I would have here is, yeah, 241 total yards for the Titans, less than four yards per play. Derek Henry looks like Derek Henry, the big dog is still the big dog. Everything else still seems like a lot of work needs to be done. I came out of this game thinking that the only playmaker the Titans have on offense is Derek Henry. And I kind of felt that way going in, but after the game, it's just so clear. They are passing him the ball more.

and they had a brilliant screenplay set up to him where Tannahill made a nice throw-through traffic to get it to him. And then on the next play, they faked a screen to Henry and came back to Don Trell Hilliard on the other side who ran into the end zone, which was a nice play.

The game-winning play for the Titans was a downfield strike to Nick Westbrook, Akina, which was like the fourth longest play air yards attempt of the season by any team. And it was a weird play because the cornerback for Washington just like stopped covering Westbrook midway down the field.

I don't know what he was looking at. I would like to know why in the middle of my Saturday, I receive a text with Yessica sitting in my seat here in the studio with an announcement suggesting that she's replacing me on the show because Justin's visiting the building with family and making plans for the future and the production. Well, we had a friends and family visit. That's a cool thing that the NFL office allows us to do on Saturdays.

I don't think Mark has a problem with that specifically. That part seems nice for you. Yeah, so I brought my parents and Jessica and a couple that are friends with my parents that I've known my whole life here to see the studio, see what I do. Are you at all concerned, Graver, that she missed Mark so much. She had to, like, get into a place where she could physically touch something he had touched once. That's a fair question. That's an apt query by Greg. I wasn't until you brought that up.

No, I'm not concerned about that. The commanders were one of 11 on third down, including that interception. They're last in the NFC East and, you know. And their first third-down conversion was on that two-minute drive. The old Zucer got a little lucky there at the end. Not as lucky as our Eagles lockers. Come on. By the way, speaking of locks, so Zucer's 4-1, alone in first place.

And, you know, the Wesleying brothers, who did they lock? They locked the ram. Yeah, you know what? Oh, wow. Can we just go over something here? Now I'm thinking about it. Nick's message that we played in the Thursday show. Very confident.

In the message, he mentioned that his brother, Mike, old Zeus, or fan, wanted to pick the Jets. Jets won. Phil Wessling wanted to pick the Chargers. Oh, good one. Chargers won. Eddie wanted to pick the Cowboys. Nobody's underdog, Eddie. And then the decision was made, though.

Nick chose the Rams. You blew it! Isn't it maybe time for Nick to, almost as a penalty, to give up the video duties and the message to the show on Thursday? I think he should be penalized because if you go back and if you go back to the listener and listen to the Thursday show, there is certainly an aura of hubris. He made fun of Eddie.

He says Eddie's famous for bad decisions. So I'm just going to flip the pick and take the other team. Like there is no committee work. He just sort of slam them all down and chugged them aside. And then he created the only loss possible. And then he goes on Twitter and he tried to make a statement, this loss is 100% on me. Yeah, we know.

We were there when you made the pick. Of course, it's on you. The quarterback that throws it right to the linebackers is tapping his chest as he goes back the sideline. We know, bro. We knew that the Charlotte football team, the Carolina Panthers, would have a hard time of it on Sunday. And sure enough, that's how it played out. Baker out of the shotgun four-man pressure.

throws too high, intercepted. Emmanuel Mosley running back the other way. Cuts inside 10. five Moseley touchdown. E-Man with a house call. Greg Papa with a call. K-N-B-R. Emmanuel Mosley returned that interception

from Baker-Mayfield, 41 yards for the score, and the Niners coasted to a 37-15 win over the Panthers. And I wonder, do you wonder, if Matt Rule, by the time people are listening to this, still has a job.

because this is another non-competitive effort at home. The team is now 11 and 27 under rule. And you just get the feeling it's getting close for rule now. So the Niners kind of just took care of business in this game, guys. Somebody had to watch it. I watched it. They didn't jump off the page to me or jump off the screen. Garoppolo threw for 253 and two touchdowns.

Jeff Wilson ran for 120 yards and a touchdown. It was a mismatch here. and Carolina just can't get anything going on offense. Baker near the end of the second quarter suffered an ankle injury and was walking around in a boot after the game. And the only thing worse than Baker this season, Mark, would be the idea of playing Baker

when he has no mobility. It just goes from bad for worse for Carolina and for the Niners and for Gravedigger who locked up the Niners. Sometimes you just take care of business, check the box yourself. No, it's a workman like Day by the Niners and a lock for for Gravedigger.

I find the Baker Mayfield journey about as depressing as it gets. I find the dark energy around the Panthers inexcusable. A lot of it has to just do with the way they've handled this quarterback situation for years. It somehow gotten worse and worse and worse. And this version of Baker Mayfield, I mean, look, it was, there have been no illusions on my behalf of Baker Mayfield that he was a top 10 quarterback for a long, long time. But we have seen versions of Baker Mayfield, throws that he's a lot. made in the past

streaks he's been on games like in 2020 when he was a pretty flawless quarterback down the stretch that player that person is gone right now and the Panthers as part of that

are completely floating this is the hardest one of the hardest teams to watch in the league I call this an empty restaurant game you know how it's really depressing to eat

in an empty restaurant you know you got the staff there and you wear it just seems sad because the place isn't doing well watching the Panthers right now with their the head coach situation and knowing that the fan base has turned against the quarterback who's not playing well.

And they don't even really have someone to turn to. PJ Walker got some snaps in garbage time here. It's just a bad scene for the Panthers right now. Late in that game, I saw some tweets and some pictures just like 49ers fans were still there. Panthers fans were not. And that sort of image often does happen on your last day as coach. It's too bad for the 49ers that they were struck. again, by more really significant injuries in this game.

Emmanuel Mosley is believed to have suffered a torn ACL. And I really think that one huge difference this year is their secondary has been better. Charverius Ward has been a fantastic pickup. And Mosley's been a rock-solid cornerback right next to him. And I think they're going to lose him for the year. Robbie Gold got hurt. Jimmy Ward broke his hand in this game. Nick Bowes had hurt like 207 times in the last three years.

He can probably, you know, he can come back from that. And it's too bad because otherwise there's a lot of. positives for this game. They ran the ball well. They had three or four long offensive drives, which they actually haven't done all years against a decent defense. Like, it was a great game for them, but just more injuries. All right. Let's take a break and we'll be right back. All right. The Packers went down. Opportunity for the Vikings. And they get the bears. Take care of business. Let's see what happened. A U.S. Bank Stadium. Fields back to pass, throws left. It's caught. Amir Smith-Marsat. Against his former team.

Rippler, stolen from him, and he slides down and wins the game. Cam Dantzler, ripped the ball away from his former teammate, Amir Smith-Marset, and he has stolen. All hope the Chicago Bears had, the Vikings are going to win. And they did. Paul Allen with the call, K-F-A-N. There are two listeners that know I'm referencing the 1989 Hulk Hogan movie. No holds barred.

I've seen that. Anyway, Cameron Dantzler sealed the victory for the Vikings. Ripping the ball away from former teammate Amir Smith-Marset near the one-minute mark. It sealed a 29-22 win for the Vikings over for at least one Sunday, the feisty bears. Oh, we didn't factor in feisty. That could be a third category. Frisky, feisty, spicy. We should do tears, I think.

I mean, feisty is my least intriguing of the bunch. I think we all are in agreement than that. That's great. But it's a step. But anyway, Mark, so this game was interesting because it wasn't interesting. The Vikings were cruising. And then as the Vikings do, they let the opponent back in. I'm going to step in here for Mark because I was assigned to this game.

And I enjoyed it. I watched it in the late window. Why does the paperwork say otherwise? I was in a panic. I was in a head, like a TV. Please help me. That's not how I said. That's not how I would have said that.

The word doc says. I mean, you don't have to dig his grave. You don't have, you know, you could follow the sword. The grave diggers dig. He dug his own. He dug it himself. I dug my own grave on that one. No, it's okay.

You got to give a life. Chil is hard. Yeah, you got to give the Vikings some credit. They are extremely streaky. Kirk Cousins is. What's new? Maybe the most streaky quarterback in the NFL in general. He can get on hot streaks where he's incredible.

Started, you know, 17 for 17 in this game, some beautiful touch passes. and then they can go through total quiet periods. But you've got to admit, when they've absolutely needed a drive this season, they've gotten it. When they've absolutely needed a stop this season. Got it. They've got it.

And that's why they're 3 and 0 in these one score games, and that's why they don't feel like they should be 4 and 1, but they were clearly the better team this afternoon, and I think they deserve this one. I don't apologize for it, but also the slow ebb for Justin Jefferson a couple weeks ago, he's broken out of that because he exploded in London,

12 catches today, 154s. I think that's happening. When that's happening, then I think Kirk Cousins can overcome his streakiness to some degree if you're going to get this out of Jefferson. I think he's ever going to overcome it. Yeah, exactly.

But here, this is an interesting quote from Cousins. That's what he said after the game. I'm not where I was at the end of last season in that old system, but we're developing it and we're getting there and I'm excited about that continued growth. It's a start. That's all it is, though. It is a new offense.

That makes sense to me. He also had a bad interception that was part of this comeback. At that point, it was 2119 Vikings, and it looked like they might blow this game. They were up 21 to 3. At halftime, Justin Fields definitely had his best day throwing the ball. They protected him really well, so there were some encouraging signs for the Bears.

But like I said, like they were down. They were down 22, 21. Okay, Vikings, you've kind of got pushed back. What are you going to do? And they just marched right down the field, a dominant drive. Jefferson gets the two-point conversion. Like, Cousins made really nice throws when he absolutely needed to. Justin Fields check-in before we move in, move on.

Yeah, he played well. Oh, okay. The first half, not so much. He said his best game. 21 throws for 208 yards. He was back there cooking steaks, so that helped that he was protected really well. But that's like the new phrase. Kids are saying that?

Kids are saying they're back there cooking steaks. They're saying that about a quarterback being well protected or something else they're doing. No, they're talking about. Quarters are saying that are kicked up. Quarterbacks that are. Caked up and cooking steaks. No, I don't know if they're going to say he kicked up. Also, there was like a play he ran on that got overturned by penalty that just reminded me.

Gosh, you've got to get Justin Fields in the open field running. It is fearsome when he has a head of steam behind him. Kevin O'Connell, in his bag in this game. I mean, they were trick plays. Justin Jefferson had a nice pack. There's, like, a push pass to Rager. Like, everything was working for a little while. Anybody on the Minnesota defense that might fit the mold for Mark having a guy?

I would not go NFC North. I thought you were going to say, is there anyone caked up on the Viking defense? I was like, I'm going to have to probably a lot of them. I'm sure there are fit individuals. All right. Well, run it out of games to find a guy for Mark. I mean, Cameron Danzler is having a year for sure. He's like more of like a third-year corner.

This is not how this works. You don't need to organize this. You're overrating my interest. in the whole thing, too. Let's head to Jacksonville. Duval. Second and goal inside the one. Pierce, the lone back, Mills under center.

Offside I, hand off Pierce to the goal line. He's in. The Texans take the lead. A one-yard touchdown run by Damien Pierce. Welcome back to Gator Country. Bang. Mark Vandemir. That's the first time we've heard his voice.

K-I-L-T, Damien Pierce ran for 99. and a touch. A score that was set up by a 20-yard run in which he broke. Not one, not two, not three, not four, not five, but six tackles. And it helped allow the Texans to beat the Jaguars 13-6. They've won nine straight against the Jags. It's preposterous. Mark, is this your game?

Yes, it is. Okay, my system has been shaken. I'm powering through. It sounds like yet another masterpiece from the AFC South Division. This was, I felt like this game was roughly 11 and a half hours long. When you get one of these in the early window, it can affect your Sunday. I did not allow it to. I just let it be.

Good. But here's the thing about the Texans. Like if you squint, occasionally you can kind of see what they're trying to do with their offense. Because Nico Collins, who we've talked about a lot, like I don't think it's been largely invisible this season compared to what I thought. Made a couple big catches in this. Nice. Davis Mills made a couple of nice throws. He also did not play well for big chunks of this, but Damien Pierce is the real deal.

The bigger story for me, though, is it was another case study of the Jaguars who have been really up and down, not being able to close. They at one point had a drive where they went nine plays, 68 yards to the Houston 7, and then Trevor Lawrence throws

an absolutely terrible interception to Derek Stingley. He's the reason sometimes, a lot of times these drives don't fit. James Robinson stuffed on fourth and one. They were 0 and 3 on 3rd down. The last of those was 4th, 4th and 10, 141 left. They're down 136.

Trevor Lawrence fires the ball, off target, game over, essentially. Houston closed it out from there. And it's just like, it's not a weekly referendum on Trevor Lawrence. I know we're not allowed. This is not going to be good for your, you don't want a weekly referendum on Lawrence, because now it's coming. But if we're going to do that with every other young quarterback to some degree, it's just like he's a couple really good weeks where you started to see progress.

But he's back in the place today where I thought he's just missing key throws in the game. Maybe he'll make them next week. too bad. Maybe I, maybe I was more speaking about last week, you know, with the conditions and whatnot. Maybe it was taken easy with the referendum. But this was set up well for Lawrence to have a great game. He's home. He's against the Texans, the only winless team in the league. And to play poorly, yeah, if you're, if you're a Jaguars fan that was sold on generational guy, here I am doing it now, you're expecting him to play better than he played today. They did have 422 yards of offense. Like Travis Eatiana, a couple big runs. I mean,

I mean, again, you can squint and see it with both these teams, but the Texans put up 13 points. If you told the Jaguars, you're going to have it to deal with, you have to overcome 13 points, and you can't do it. You put up six. Passes just sail on Lawrence, and that's what happened to him on a couple open throws. And that's a recurring issue going back to last year. That was like the one thing where I was like,

I'm not blaming that on Urban Meyer when he just drops back to pass and sales passes. And that's happened a little too much. In all three of their losses, Dan, he had an interception or a two. turnover in the final possession when they were trying to drive for the win. Not a good look. Gravedigger, I'm starting to think now, we'll see. The Jaguars have had some good moments early on this year, too, but the last two weeks have been pretty dire. If the Jaguars continue along this path, you could win the AFC South with seven wins.

Well, today the Colts are, three weeks from now. Colts are back in second place, just like we all expected preseasoned, the Jaguars' third, Texans fourth, like everything that happened in the first three weeks. We kind of needed the Jaguars. to take that step. And we were all feeling like that was going to happen. And now you're right back to wondering if there's still the Jaguars. And now the Colts play the Jaguars next week.

And then the Colts go to Tennessee week seven. And now we've got the rarest of all rare things. We've got some trade breaking news during the show. A trade on a Sunday night, Justin Graver. Breaking news. Is it connected to these two teams? That would be even more amazing. No, I wish.

But the Browns are acquiring former Pro Bowl linebacker Dion Jones from the Falcon. in exchange for a late round draft pick. Problem solved. They have injury issues at linebacker. I mean, and they're getting run over like they are. Dionne Jones, we talked about throughout the summer. Is he going to get moved or cut? He does get moved just in October, not August.

The subject of about 400 words that I wrote at halftime of the Falcons Patriots Super Bowl, Dionne Jones and DeF. Devonji Campbell. Unbelievable. There you go, Mark. In what way? I don't know. Maybe Dion Jones will tap in. to the fountain of youth and be that game changer he was.

Maybe he will. I just like the idea that they like went home after the game and they're like making a trade on a Sunday night. Never seen that. Thank you for getting a 500 yards rushing in two weeks. This will get Mary Kay Cabot off my back, says your boy. She was probably home having a glass of wine at this point. And then she's back on the computer.

Right. I got to sit down and write 800 words on this, please. I'm leaving. All right. One more game. let's hit Sunday night football. It will be a 43-yard field goal attempt for Justin Tucker. Snap is good, hold is down, kick on the way.

It is up. It is good. Time has expired and the haze is above. What a night for the Ravens. They come back to beat the Bengals. 1917, and they do it on the right foot of Justin Tucker. Was there ever a doubt? Not here.

Justin Tucker. And here's the thing about Justin Tucker. When Justin Tucker makes a field goal, it doesn't just go through the uprights. It splits them. You could mathematically measure each side, and it will be a perfect split of the uprights. He did it again. Bangs it home from 43, was it? 43.

43. It was the difference. It was the final play of the game. Ravens 19, Bengals 17. Tucker got that opportunity because Lamar Jackson and the Ravens offense took over in their final possession and was able to march 50 yards into field goal range in two minutes. And that came after Mark, Joe Burrow, with T. Higgins's sideline with a knee issue, and an inability to tack down field still put together a 13-place 75-yard drive that gave Cincinnati the lead briefly, but they couldn't hold on. So Cincinnati, 2 and 3, Baltimore 3 and 2. To me, a very AFC North game.

It doesn't change that much what I think about either club. I mean, I think as much of the Bengals 15-15. play 73-yard drive. Mark loves a long, slow drive. Well, no. I mean, so that actually, to me, felt like a major lost opportunity. It ends on downs. Like, they leave points on the board.

They open with four punts. I came out of the scene that I thought Cincinnati had moved away from some of their issues, their offensive line issues, and that was not the case tonight. I mean, like, Laos Collins at one point was, you know, he had Zach Taylor grabbing him by the waist trying to talk to him up and down the sideline after a messy series of plays. I think that was that fourth down play that Collins probably did something. You don't know what that was about. That could have been just Collins was fired up because the play call was so bad.

Or it was Collins. Chris Collins would have said that perhaps he ran the wrong play, Collins essentially. JPP came in and took care of L. Collins. It was a messy Bengals game that kind of reopens the questions of like, why does this offense look so completely different than it did last year when they also had line issues? Well, they did run the ball much better tonight. Joe Mixon looked like he had J. juice for the first time all season.

At no point if I felt like they've solved their offensive problems. They hit a couple big plays against the Dolphins. The Ravens, on the other hand, though, I think are solving their defensive problems, really since Marcus Peters got healthy and back in the lineup. They've been pretty competent now the last couple of weeks. And this was Lamar Jackson's worst game of the season. I don't even think there's a question. And yet, when he gets the ball at the end, that drive is two quick throws to Mark Andrews,

and then Lamar running the ball four out of five times. He is a unique problem. Yeah, you can start backing up your defense. It was like they're putting seven defensive backs on the field on that last drive. And Lamar just runs up the Gup. And if he didn't get tripped up by his buddy Duverne, he might have run in for a touchdown. Yeah, and John Harbaugh obviously took a ton of heat for his decision to go for the touchdown

against Buffalo on fourth down. It didn't work out. And then they lose that game. And in this game, bleeding into the game-winning possession, Baltimore's previous possession, they had marched to essentially what, the goal line. They were inside the 10-yard line. They were at the 3-yard line, a 4th and about half a yard. And in that case, they decide to try to draw Cincinnati off sides and kick the field goal.

So I think Harbaugh got it wrong both weeks. I think you should have kicked the field goal in week four and went for the touchdown in week five. He doesn't. It ends up not costing him. But if it did, it would have been another post-game press conference where Harbaugh is taking a ton of heat. But thank God for Justin Tucker, because that's part of the greatness of Tucker. And, you know, Dan's always on one about the kickers and all this on the show. But like with Tucker, people need to understand that this is.

You are Dan. This is one of the great players in NFL history doing his thing. So when you take over down one point, You know, all we need to do is get within 55, even, he hit a 58-yarder in this game as well, Justin Tucker. Just give him a chance and you'll win, and there's no other team that has that weapon. When there's teams this week especially that have the opposite of that, the Browns lost the game on a missed, botched last second field goal. The Cardinals went down in flames because of it. I mean, there's backup and incompetent kicking happening all over the place.

McPherson almost makes the extra point to hit it over there. And you were right, the McPherson is, like, it's not been his money for him this season. And it's been a little bit more of a challenge. Tucker never has those slumps. Right. And I think it's just a massive win for the Ravens. It's a bigger win for the Ravens than it would have been than it is a loss for the Bengals. Just because the way this season's gone, they've looked like a good team this year. But the way that they've lost those two games, coughing up big leads, and they were up 10-0 in this game, too. And Lamar had an ugly interception, which really changed the game. And then he missed two wide open deep shots early in the same.

second half. The second one was a layup, the second of the two. So it was just a game they would have been kicking themselves big time, especially after the Bengals swept them a year ago. So to pull it out, I think it just calms this season down for them, a season that they just keep having injury problems. Marcus Williams left this game. But having Ronnie Stanley back for this game and looking almost like a different player,

like he lost a lot of weight. Sure, it looked like. They kind of rotated him in and out of the line. Yeah, he was in that, but it's just like some good signs for them. J.K. Dobbins ran hard tonight. Some good signs. And if you're the Bengals, you're going to try a Philly special, get your act together. Well, you know, that was the second time today where a Philly special was drawn up and failed.

In the London game, a nice job by the Bellinger. Bellinger. To react to that instead of throwing an interception or even throwing it away. He managed to score on the ground. It's just not that special play to me anymore. It's kind of just become part of like the NFL. All I was doing was saying. Philly not so special.

All I was doing was just setting you up to give your little rig of morale about one of the greatest plays in Super Bowl history. Well, you know, for listeners who have joined the show at some point in the last four years now. And we do have a lot of new listeners. Shout out to the new listeners. Unbelievable. I mean, it's hard to keep up with some of these inside jokes, am I right? Mark once predicted that the Eagles would have a play that would have a nickname that would be even bigger than the helmet catch. And it ended up being the Philly special.

one of the top probably 10 plays in Super Bowl history a great name top 15 top 15 top 15 top 20 I mean there was a lot more to play in that game at that point it was like to end the first half right now it was like oh what a

what a classic second quarter play it's just it's an utter it didn't top the helmet catch and ultimately you lost that's a bad bad that is simply because we now are just a it's a three person committee that I'll be outvoted on over and over on

idiotic tangents like this Anyway, before we say goodbye We mentioned Justin, you came to the studio With your family And your lovely girlfriend, Jessica There was some type of text dispatch That you wanted to share

Where I'm asking you to share Yeah, so I just sort of texted her I was like, oh, ha ha Greg was just asking me If I was concerned about Jessica missing Mark and she said, ha, ha, ha, I miss those guys, but I miss Dan the most.

She said that. I don't know if she's being serious or... Tell her I miss her. I will. But that's not the headline here. What? The headline is this is something that's going to keep Sessler up at night.

No, it's actually just one less thing for me to worry about. I got plenty on my plate right now. So before you were worried about it, I don't even know where to go with that. Mark? Mark had made plenty of things. while we were in London to hang out with Jessica

once you came back to the States. Yeah, that's settled. I'm pretty sure I was included in those. You were. Not one or one. Also, I don't even sure if that's factual. Justin, you weren't certain though that you were involved in the plan, right? I was not certain, no.

It was a conversation they had. Did you ever, I don't know if this is getting too personal, but you've opened this door. Did you ever hang out with her ex, like the three of you guys? Did it ever start that way? No. No. Okay. I have met him. Okay.

I'm sure he loves you. Well, by the way, Yessica, I've recorded. A real hero. I filed and I've noted who you missed more that it was Dan. You know, Mark's not the only one here with feelings. So that really is really hard. I am having the time of my life. Good stuff, good stuff.

All right, well, that's just a nice W. You get a W with the Jets and then you get a W with Yessica and it's like, what else is the old Zoo? When Tugbo puts his head to the pill tonight, and be like, hey, this is one of the good ones. You know, life's filled of them. There's good ones and there's bad ones, and then there's just, you know, days that are days. In terms of days, yeah.

This one's like, you're smiling. I mean, Ysica got a W, too. You know, I think she knew that when she threw that little bomb into the show, it's like a whole other minute of Yessica talk. And Mark, I don't imagine that you were going to sleep either way tonight, but that will probably not make it any easier, I would imagine. You're overvaluing my concern on this particular topic, but I'm happy for you

that you've had a day that makes you so thrilled with your existence. Thank you. Thank you for that. Thank you for saying that. All right, that's it. We'll be back on,

well, Monday night, Gregi has his Monday night football vanity project, so make sure you check that out. What is the game? I mean, if you don't want me to continue to doing this. It's a useful project also. It is, you know. What did I say?

You call it a, it's a vanity project. You're confusing with the Jesselnik and Rosenthal Vanity Project, which you guys should check out. It's the money. Football Recap. Yeah, what was the game again? It's Raiders Chiefs. That's a good one.

It's good. Maybe. Check that one out. Tuesday, we'll be back with Colleen Wolfe and all that good stuff. That's it. Dan Hansa signing off for Quiet Storm, the old boss, grave digger, the pipe. Always is there for us. Pipe every time.

Until Tuesday, he's the call. This is an Ihaired podcast.