NFL Daily with Gregg Rosenthal - 2022 Week 7 Recap: Which teams are actually good?

Episode Date: October 24, 2022

A room filled with some heroes - Dan Hanzus, Marc Sessler, and Gregg Rosenthal recap all the action from a surprising Week 7, starting with Chiefs-Niners (2:55). Then we hit Lions-Cowboys (9:33) and Buccaneers-Panthers (16:24) before Nick Shook joins to help cover Falcons-Bengals (22:36) and Browns-Ravens (29:40). Next, we discuss Giants-Jaguars (37:40), Jets-Broncos (45:06), Seahawks-Chargers (53:55), Texans-Raiders (1:01:15), Colts-Titans (1:05:17), Packers-Commanders (1:12:31), and finally close the show with Steelers-Dolphins (1:22:39). Along the way, the heroes try to decide which teams are actually good. 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. Live from New York, it's Sunday night. Well, California. From the Chris Wessling podcast studio, it's Around the NFL. I'm Dan Hansis. I got heroes here.

Mark Sessler, Chris. Chris, I'm not Chris. It was Christmas here. Greg Rosenthal. That's weird. He's here. he is sometimes when you walk in and you see the name you know you just walk by and then there was other times where you just see it and you just like it kind of stops you in track it could be good

it can be jarring but it's like i can't i still can't believe that we walk into this studio with his name on it in front of us every day it is bittersweet um but uh yes so we here we are in the chris wessling podcast studio the week seven flagship program is here and we're just looking for a few good teams. That's what, it's now on Sundays an investigation. Where are the good teams? There have to be good teams.

They're all in New York. Well, we have some teams in New York. We're also waiting for Jesus to return. And the likelihood of finding a patch of good teams is about equal at this point. We know, we know we have the bills. It's like the NFL just took the live stream down. Well, I'm just saying, you know.

Check us out. Save it for the theology show, Mark. We know that we know that the bills are great. They're on by. So not that they need to be part of the investigation. We know the chiefs are very good. We're going to get to that in a second. We know the Eagles are undefeated.

Let's see if we could find some teams that qualify as good by the end of today's episode. That's a little challenge for both us and the listeners and viewers of the live stream. So yes, are you guys ready to dive into some football? I'm very ready today. I enjoyed this afternoon. I'm in a little bit of a state of mourning because of some news that came down around the most impact. young jet on offense in a very long time. So I am very much in professional mode right now

and processing the grief while also knowing we have work to do here. You are of most many of the adults that I know who are football fans. You are a dyed in the wall, true Jets fan who spent the weekend tracking the Yankees too. It's been an up and down journey for you. So you are a professional, Dan.

Thank you, Mark. I really appreciate that. All right. So without further ado, the professionals roll on. Let us start this week, yes, with one of the teams that we know very good. The team they were playing? Not so sure. Maybe, maybe not.

Well, let's see what happened between the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs. Time to throw over the middle. Jiu-Jew Smith-Schister wide open, 25, 20, jukes to safety. Tan gets a block. Angling, near side pylon. Touchdown. Kansas City. It is yards after catch all day long.

A 45-yard touchdown reception by Juju-J-J-J-Smith Schuster. And we know Mitch Holtis of W-D-A-F is all class all the way. A little, you know, little, yeah, yards after catch all day long. Everybody calls the 49ers the Yack brothers, but look what. We're the real Yack Bros. And company are doing for the Chiefs who roll to. a 44-23 win over the Niners at the big bell bottom. Mahomes throws for 423 and three touchdowns.

And Kansas City comes back from double-digit down here, boys. And they do it. It's actually, you think about this game, and it just ended a few minutes ago. They were down double digits in this game. But that's what they were early on. But once that Kansas City machine gets going, And it's really a sight to behold still, even now, even more impressive now, Greg,

because Tyree Kill's not there anymore and he's ancient history because this team is generating more big plays downfield now than they were last year when they had the greatest downfield playmaker of this generation. I think that was what was missed in the Tyree Kill discussion in the off season. Yeah, maybe they're not back to where they were when they were in the playoffs. And what was the score in that Texan divisional round game, 24 to nothing? and you just expected them to come back. But a year ago, that was the worst chief's offense of Andy Reed's life,

including when he had Alex Smith. And they weren't going to stay down at this level. And he tinkered and he fixed some things up. And he's got the Michael Jordan of football. And suddenly you're putting 9.1 yards per play. Get out of here. On the number one or maybe the most talented defense in the league. I mean, that said, there were obvious questions.

And I think fair concerns about whether Juju Smith's shoes would become a force in this offense, whether Marquez Valdas Scantley would. They both have 100 plus yards today, and the deep passing game from Mahomes is totally on, and they are yards after the catch. It just seems like every week it's a different person stepping up, and I kind of love their versatility,

which before it really boiled down to Tyree Kill to Travis Kelsey. And now you don't know which guy's going to wind up playing hero. And I think the last couple of weeks, too, Juju has looked great. He has. He really feels like you could tell he's getting more and more comfortable in this offense. you kind of forgot how, even though he's not the flashiest player in terms of athletic ability, what a big-time playmaker he was for the Steelers before Ben got old.

And then everything kind of downshifted in Pittsburgh. Now you see him playing with a big-time quarterback, the best quarterback in the league arguably. And I think that's kind of the skeleton key here as well. I mean, it's Mahomes's greatness, which is his ability to lift others up. And I'll say this because you kind of, you were challenging. Aaron Rogers to do the same thing at Green Bay. I think Aaron Rogers is an all-time quarterback himself, but it's not that easy, but Mahomes makes this stuff look easy,

and it helps that Andy Reid is there to help him along the way. Andy Reid helps with the structured plays and the schemed-up plays, and they came up with plenty of those. But Mahomes makes the plays that almost no one else can make. I know he had the late interception last week. I think on a week-to-week basis, he would have my nod as just the best quarterback in the league thus far. I think this is a ridiculous number to put up

at the end of the season and kind of the MVP race and everything to do this on the 49ers of all teams. It's tight with Josh Allen and there are different types of quarterbacks but I think sometimes what I feel gets lost with Mahomes is that he makes these flashy sidearm throws and does stuff that looks video game arcade-like

but he just does the basic quarterback stuff as well as anyone in the league and when they're throwing the ball this way against I know the Niners are a little banged up but against a defense like this it's like I don't know what the ceiling is for the chiefs I don't think there is one. And on the Niners side of things, of course, this was the debut of Christian McCaffrey,

who had a role. He had 10 touches in the game, look good, especially early on and some runs. And, you know, it just does show you that Jimmy G is ultimately, the stat line looks fine. But he threw an absolutely dreadful interception in the final seconds of the second quarter. That kind of changed the complexion of this game. I know the Niners kind of got back into it a little bit at one point in the third quarter before Kansas City just put their foot on the pedal again. But Garoppolo's interception there is just kind of a reminder that he's not special.

And when you get into these situations with the Niners being compromised on defense because of the injuries, it's going to be a problem in these types of affairs. He looked really good early on. And it was kind of like, oh, when everything around Jimmy G is functioning and he's, you know, in his accuracy mode, he's fine. But, I mean, late in the game, it was concerning to see him just sort of walk into a sack that was a big problem. the next play, Frank Clark goes right around Trent Williams and devastates him in the end zone. Like, everything just started to fall apart for them. Right. Their recipe is what their recipe kind of was in that Super Bowl until the fourth quarter. It's running and it's defense. And they are begged up and they will get more players back like Eric Armstead. But they did have a lot

of their guys back today. Now, maybe they don't play at their very best in their first game back. Like Bosa was back. Charverius Ward did end up playing in this game. They get they get McCaffrey, they get Trent Williams back. I just think it's just a reminder to me that the chiefs and the bills, you're talking about those good teams. Not a lot of those good teams are in the NFC. It doesn't feel like to me. And that these two teams are kind of in one bucket and the Eagles are this new team.

And I almost put them in their own separate thing. And then there's everyone else because the 49ers are three and four. And yet they're probably not in a bad spot really in the NFC West or the NFC in general. How about this, Greg? Let's go through it scientifically. Okay. As we stated at the top of the show. Chiefs, good.

Very good. Maybe great. I could say great potentially. Okay, they're good. We're looking for good right now. Okay. They're above that line. We're going to figure out great.

49ers, good. Good. I think they are good. I know they lost this game. I'll just go by majority rules, but the three and four niners are good. You're good if everyone around you is a sinking ship. Hey, this is science. Right.

Science is science. They are three and four. It's a very fair point to make after seven weeks. It's not really a hallmark of teams that you would call good. Let's check in with North and to North Texas to see if we could find some more goodness. Three minutes, first and goal at the one. Prescott under center, Pollard motion right. Handoff, Elliot, burling on the left side.

Wait for a signal. Touchdown. Two for Z. Touchdown, Elliot. That might be enough. And it was. Brad Sham, the sham God. A. R. L.D. Zeke, Elliott, ran for a pair of one-yard scores.

Dack Prescott threw a touchdown in his return to the lineup after thumb surgery. And that Cowboys defense did what it does, forcing five turnovers. And a 24-6 over the more... No, I won't do it yet. Well, you could. I could, but I won't. Over the struggling Detroit Lions, a game here, Greg, that also featured. It will get into really the flashpoint in the game.

Dallas recovered Jamal Williams' fumble inside its own one with a four-point lead early in the fourth quarter. I guess that was it. It was because there just wasn't enough consistent offense from either team that at that point, you realize it just wasn't going to be the Lions Day. It was a third time they had turned it over. Goff had a couple late ones, but he also had two ugly picks. Its game looked like two very... How many picks for Goff here?

Two interceptions. And two fumbles. Yeah, the two fumbles were in garbage time, but they had three killer turnovers, including that Jamal Williams won, even before garbage time. It was a 10-6 game, and the yardage was even. And, you know, that, even with three minutes left in the game, it was still 10 to 6. So it was close, and yet the lions just find a way to mess it up. Their offense now two straight games, after everyone talked about, like, this is the number one

offense in the league has scored zero and then they scored six. So that's no touchdowns. It's troubling. In the two games, they have a combined eight turnovers, I believe, or seven turnovers. And Goff was flummoxed. And I love how the Dallas defense has more than just Parsons. Parsons had a good game.

But Sam Williams had a monster game, this rookie pass rusher. Just like new guys pop up each week with a couple sacks. I mean, the Cowboys could beat anyone in the league outside of maybe, I think, Buffalo and Kansas City. Cowboys good? I think they are because they have a great defense. Give me a check mark. Give me a ding.

I think they have a great defense. And also, I mean, you are causing some of these turnovers. If you're the Lions, you wanted at this point to be three and three maybe. You need to not be making mistakes that absolutely crucify yourself. Your second half drive chart. What's with all the Jesus stuff in this episode? All right. That caused you issues.

I wasn't trying to go there necessarily. I said the theology episode. I mean, but it's so Lions, and we apologize to the Lions fans at this point. Why? So this is our fault. What did we do? It's not our fault. Oh, it's our fault.

If I was a Lions fan, I just, we didn't need to, you know, we picked them as team around the NFL and they lost five trades. It was just very Lions where that play where he fumbled on the one yard line, Dan, they had a nice reception. He was going in. Looked like he scored a touchdown. They could have challenged, Dan Campbell could have challenged it. He decided not to because it was first and goal. Replay showed they actually probably would have moved the ball. ball forward, like a half of a yard, because it was a bad spot, but it wasn't a touchdown.

So it wasn't like a crazy non-chall. And then Jamal Williams, who fumbled, that was his first lost fumble of his career. He's in year six. So it's not like, like, there's something you can coach here. It just is like this is what happens when you're a Lionsman. Well, you know what else happens? Dan Campbell now, I believe, 418 and 1 as a head coach. And this is becoming something of an unfortunate tradition on this show on Sunday nights.

let's listen to Sad Dan Campbell I'm frustrated from losing just like I was last year just like I was anytime I loved it was just like I was at New Orleans when we lost the game and you know you don't like to lose games you know and but I'm not down and I'm not losing confidence

I'm not going to go hide in the corner this is the sad hard knocks music someone gets injured or gets called into the GM's office for a chat I feel like that's where we are. It does feel like a long time ago now that Jamal Williams was the comic relief of the Hard Knocks summer episodes that were so well received. And if you want, go resurface the

Hard Knocks podcast this week. I think you should. I think people should probably listen to the county wolf in its completion. So the lines at one in five, it's more of the same, unfortunately, for that team. It is. And I think golf has shown his limitation. Remember early in the season? I was trying to say, I don't think he's playing like that well. He was producing. He was in the system, and they had bad luck. Amon Ross St. Brown returned for this game and then left after the first couple of plays with a concussion. DJ Chark, who was supposed to be their number one receiver, is now an injured reserve.

That was a late week addition to injured reserve for Chark. And DeAndre Swift didn't play in this game. So they've had terrible luck, and they happen to show up on the week, you know, Dak Prescott shows up. I thought Prescott got better. Let's hear from a Zaddy on DAC. Not that DAC performed better as the game went on. I think it's like anything, you know, his first time he's been out there in quite some time.

But, you know, starting with the command of the huddle and the whole operation, I thought he was really on point there. So, you know, handled the adjustments that were going on during the course of the game. So, you know, those are the little things that don't show up in the, or their back family don't show up in the stat columns. I like that I had the same analysis as the actual. NFL head coach here.

Zaddy, stop it. Please. He was out of rhythm. I don't think he, you know, he had a couple incredible throws, like in the third drive of the game, but for the most part, their offense wasn't great. It was successful when they were running straight at Detroit. But that's one of the reasons why the Cowboys are good. I think their offensive line has gotten better, and they can run the ball.

And they did today in the key spots. They have a great defense. And they have an experienced quarterback who didn't play great today. but on that game winning drive or game ceiling drive, really, he had a third and eight, and they were showing pressure, and then he changes the play before the snap, and he picks the exact receiver to hit, and then they end up running in a few plays later.

Like, that's the Dak Prescott experience. You weren't getting with Cooper Rush. And that's why it's unanimous. The Cowboys are good. The lines we don't have to call to vote. No, decisively good, the Cowboys. Let's move to Charlotte, where the Tampa Bay Bucks are obviously good. They have Tom Brady, right?

So they were going to cakewalk against the Panthers, and that's what happened, right? Negative. What? Spoiler. Walker, the snap, fires down field. Tommy Trebles open. Makes the catch. Touchdown.

Panthers. That's gorgeous. Who was that? Anise Ruff. And that was either Jake Delome or Luke Keekley on WBT thing. That's gorgeous. What a crew. We need more Panthers highlights this year.

DeLome and Keekley? in the booth? Turn up to tremble. Because the Carolina Panthers, I think they were 13 and a half-point underdogs. And what do they do? They hang a 21-3 win on the Bucks. The Bucks and Tom Brady.

What the hell is going on here? Mark, everyone saw it. The worst drop of the year was Mike Evans all alone, which would have been a long touchdown on the third play from scrimmage. And that was the closest they ever got to. the scoring. I think that set the tone. And it's, it, their offense has become an increasing calamity. And, uh, today it just, I, you can see everyone's frustration. It's not just Brady. I, that after that, that drop was one of the worst drops I think we've ever seen during the

run of this podcast. I mean, it was a drop. It's also, it's also who it was. The Walker Line Hall of Fame. This isn't Alan Lazard on opening night. I would have unhooked them, I think. And I think that, I think it's just like they're not mentally tough. on offense right now. When things don't go well, you can just see it seems to catch up with them. I mean, there are other examples because they were down 7-0. This game was a mess for a long while. They were down 7-0 midway through the third quarter. It's fourth and one at the Carolina 25. Leonard Fournett stopped, stuffed. Drive over. Three straight incompletions from at the Carolina 8 on a later drive where they score, they end up winding a kick in a field goal when they

were down 14-0. I don't even know why you're kicking a field goal at that point. You've got to get a touchdown, I think. That's an insane field goal. Yeah. Oh, my God. It bothers me. Greg, you call off the balls of sands. Call it off.

I mean, it's not happening for him right now. It was fourth and eight. We got some season to go, but that field goal, that was, that was a mess. And it tells me how much they don't trust what they can do. It was 21 to 3. Remove the sons.

It's 21 to 3. It's fourth and eight from the Carolina 28. Brady is lucky. He doesn't throw a pick. I mean, it's just like Brady is not, he'll make. good throws every game, but this offense is so out of sync. And I think what happened there

is because they kept crumbling. That opened the door for PJ Walker, who had 10 straight completions at one point, and his 11th was an absolute beautiful touchdown dart in their ground game. Everyone's talking about, they're cutting to highlights of Christian McCaffrey showing up in San Francisco in sunglasses.

Oh, sorry, Panthers fans are saying, forget about it. Like, they looked great on the ground. He looked really good in the sunglasses, Christian. He did. But Dante Foreman, Dante Foreman ran over this Bucks defense. And Chuba Hubbard ran over this Bucks defense. And, you know, they're really banged up.

The thing is the Bucs. Can only do so much, especially on this Panthers team. Yeah. Their whole Bucs secondary was they lost two more guys in the secondary. They were already missing a bunch of people. So as soon as these guys got past the first layer, they were eating up like 35. There were a lot of long runs in this. It was just a beatdown.

The Bucks are not a good team right now. Yeah, absolutely. Ooh, we're going to call a vote soon. but I know where you're going with it and I might agree. The fact that I'm down for calling off this balls asance if there ever was one, Gregi, is not even so much because of the offense.

Of course there was one. They won the Super Bowl. Can I say one thing? I think this team misses Bruce Ariens. Okay. Well, that's kind of where I'm getting at because it's not just the offense that's struggling. And Tom Brady that's unable to get really warmed up

and get going. The defense has really come down to Earth now and, you know, to get run over the way they did in this game, there's just nothing. What do the Bucks do well right now? You have to look at only one side of the ball, and they're not doing things well on that side of the ball today. You know, you're right.

They're pretty good past defense, but you're right. They were, the defining trade of a Todd Bowles defense throughout the years is a great rush defense, and they've collapsed in on themselves. And then you start to question, well, who are we really? Because if the Bucks, who have had some of the best run defenses in NFL history, and so did the Jets back in the day, by the way,

when they had Todd Bowles. If they can't do that, then it does sort of poke a hole in like, who are we? And Chris Godwin, I think this has been a little underrated. You know, sometimes you come off a torn ACL and people are like, oh, great, we have him back. He has not been Chris Godwin. No.

And I will say one thing. You mentioned Devin White as possibly who they were calling out as Todd Bowls, yeah. As a player that was still sort of living in the Super Bowl glory. There was a huge run in this game where Devin White just looked completely out of it. position. And it seems to be happening week to week that there's something going on with him or someone else in the defense. So I don't think you can even say that the defense is a real

strength right now. They were outmuscled today in every possible way. Wow. This is, it's wild. They are injured, though. The Carolina Panthers, by the way, won this game. Again, 13 and a half point underdogs, starting a third string quarterback after trading their franchise star, Christian McCaffrey, and a report surface that they had turned down two first round picks for Brian Burns, which I'm not buying that. outrageous, that reporting. Tom Brady hasn't had a losing record this far into a season since 2002. Two first.

Let's listen to Todd Bowles and see where he stands on the Bucks. We have to wear this on our sleeves. They've got to be grown men. We're going to see what we're made of. How many people can handle adversity? And this is about as dark as it's going to be right now. You better hope so, Todd. Before we take a break, are the Bucks good?

Mark, you said no. Not right now. No, they are, they were the biggest faith. They were the people who have created the two biggest upsets in the NFL all season in back-to-back weeks. PJ Walker, three and one, by the way, as starting quarterback of the Carolina P. Well, today he looked like he earned that win. It's not always been the case. Not good.

We'll be right back after this. What's up, everybody? Daniel Jeremiah here. And I'm Bucky Brooks. On Move the Sticks, we take you inside the game from scouting reports and player development To team-building philosophies, coaching trends in how front offices construct winning rosters. Every week, we study the tape, talk to decision makers, and share the insights you won't find anywhere else. It's the kind of conversation that connects the dots, from college football prospects to the NFL stars of tomorrow.

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So the Bucks aren't good. But how about the defending AFC champions? Let's check in with Cincinnati. Now Burrow throws toward the left side. Back shoulder throw. Chase makes the catch. Cuts in the middle of the field. And the chase is unsuccessful.

A 41-yard touchdown. The Bengals' fourth TD in four first half drive. My goodness. The Cincinnati Bank. Bengals are rolling. Joe Burrow passed for 345 yards in the first half. And the Bengals rolled over the Falcons, 35, 17. Could have been worse.

They took their foot off the accelerator late. Burrow finished with 481 yards and four total touchdowns. What? We now welcome in the pipe. Nick Shook, our AFC North Consigliary. pipe, I watch this game as well and it's just a lot of fun to see in a season overall

where sometimes the fun quotient is lacking at the quarterback position especially and we even saw it with Burrow when he had that meltdown in week one to see him clicking again and to see Jamar Chase get figured out and Tia Higgins healthy and Tyler Boyd showing he's one of the more underrated guys this offense is scary good when it's turned on

It's almost as if Zach Taylor threw caution to the win and said, you know what? Look, we have all these weapons on offense. Let's stop trying to be somebody we're not. Let's play almost the entire game from the shotgun. Let's just throw the ball around the yard and see what happened. Why does it take six weeks to do that? Oh, sorry, Greg.

What shirt did he have on today? Which polo did he have on great? I'm just saying like, oh, wow, he thought to be aggressive with his amazing quarterback and spread it out. I think here's the thing. What a thought. Well, here's the thing, boys. Actually, let's hear first from the, Zach Taylor, who might be answering to some of the snark.

I hope you all listened to me as I got up here at O&2 and just said, just be patient. This season is very young. We know what type of team we have. I know the faith that I have in these players and coaches, and that's what they've done. That's actually like a V-neck t-shirt he's wearing. Gregi, I wonder, and it's fair to wonder, and I bet if you had a conversation with him, might even say this, this type of offense that he's running now, he probably didn't feel comfortable running it when they couldn't protect Joe Burrow, and he's getting his

butt kicked week after week to start the season. and now the offensive line has gotten better that perhaps they're able to run the offense that they want to and we're seeing the results. That's just a counterpoint. Yeah, Shuki, you tell me how the line looked today. Now this is the perfect matchup for it against the Falcons team who's not a great pass rushing team.

They lost AJ Terrell, their best player. There was a lot of guys in this game. Early. But even a week ago, and I am taking the L here, the Rainmaker brought out the sunshine in Cincinnati. I could not have been more wrong. in this game, by the way. Calls a lot of people.

Greg. Yes. And, you know, I might have a good one later coming up, at least, to even it out. Never chase it. Never chase it, Greg. No. Like, this is a game where I was so wrong. Was it a game you thought shook that they did protect well?

The point I was trying to get to is I didn't think they've protected much better the last couple of weeks. I just think they've kind of adjusted and gotten rid of the ball. Like the Saints game, they didn't protect well at all. Yeah. There were many times, I think, where Jovero had to escape the pocket and kind of extend the play, But the difference you already mentioned, they lost AJ Terrell early and they didn't have Casey Hayward already. They were playing with a skeleton crew in their secondary and the Bengals feasted on that.

And again, they just kind of threw caution to the win and said, let's throw the ball around. And you know what, Joe's going to have to get out of the pocket and extend some plays sometimes. And he might take a few hits, but we have so many weapons, it's worth the risk. We might as well go with it. And it produced a ton of points for them. And for a second there, I don't know if you guys are paying attention, but a lot of people on Twitter were we were watching out to see if Joe Burrow would flirt with a single game passing yards record. He didn't get there because they kind of slowed. down in the second half.

But when the Falcons made it interesting, just before halftime, I was thinking, oh, they got to stay aggressive. He might have a shot to hit that mark. He didn't, but it was still a great day. It was the epitome of scrappiness for the Falcons because this game looked like a grisly blowout early. And then the Falcons put together, what are they, 17 points in the last six minutes of the second quarter to make it interesting.

But that was it. They got things straightened out. And, you know, Mark, I think with, with Burrow, it's interesting. They have mixing, and they have the ability to have a balanced offense. But in this game, they're just passing the ball. They're always passing the ball, and they just don't want to give in and have that balanced offense. But I guess maybe, again, maybe you're just playing your strengths.

And if Burroughs feeling it on a Sunday, you should be passing at the goal line and everywhere else. He has a 13 to 1 touchdown to interception ratio since that opening week, like situation with Pittsburgh where he threw the four picks. I mean, he looks great. I don't know why you don't just keep doing this. This is not that different than the Magic Carpet Ride we talked about that they went on last year. He wasn't protected well during that situation.

He was on the run. He had to make plays. But the big play offense, that was what was missing in the early part of this season. It's back now. Jamar Chase is back. And I think if you can unlock this offense with Jamar Chase doing what he's doing, they can compete with really anyone in the AFC. And Chuck, on the Falcon side of this, I'll just want to throw this out. It's the Falcons trailed by 10 plus points for the final.

50 minutes of this game, they threw the ball 13 times. I mean, that's them doing what they want to do, though. And it's like, we talk about San Francisco's inability to play from behind. Atlanta's game plan is so flawed if anything goes out of whack. And this game was the perfect judgment of that. Yeah, I watch them every week. And I think, you know, this team, they show flashes of figuring it out, of getting it, of finding something that works.

They just can't ever. Sometimes it's a half. It's usually the second half where they go into the halft, make adjustments and they're suddenly a different football team. They haven't really been able to put together four quality quarters of football in one game to go win these games. Remarkably, they entered today at three and three somehow. But yeah, you're right, 124 passing yards from Marcus Marietta.

75 came on one throw on a touchdown pass to Demir Bird, which is his first reception of the season. So it's like catching lightning in a bottle with them, except the storms are few and far between. So you're kind of just stuck with what's remaining. I love Arthur Smith. I think he's done a good job. And last year in this with the talent,

have. But if you look at their talent, the idea that Drake London and Kyle Pitts have 18 yards in this game, there's some mismanagement going on there, I think, to some degree with guys that could be making a much bigger impact on offense. It is not too early to panic, anyone that is a fantasy owner of either of those players, six targets for 18 yards. And they just, this was the perfect test, unless he can't sleep at night, Arthur Smith. And he's like, God, what was I thinking today? I got to start throwing the ball, but there could be some trust issues there as well. Speaking of trust issues. Nick shook.

The Browns, the Browns, man. They've got to be hard for you to trust this season. Let's check in their game in Baltimore. 60-yard field goal try for rookie Kay York to tie the game. Snap is down. Kick is blocked. It is blocked. The ball will fall at the 10, and it will be down there.

Two minutes left to play in Baltimore. That has kept home alive and kept the Ravens in front. Wow. Well, I guess there was over two minutes left. So Jerry Sandusky didn't even hit us with a haze in the barn. WB.A.L. Yes, the Ravens managed to avoid another fourth quarter collapse. Helped in large part to some huge penalties hit with the grounds committed.

And a 2320 win. Baltimore had a big rushing day, 160 yards on the ground. And they are in a tie atop the AFC North through seven weeks. Tell us about this game because this seemed like another one where Baltimore had it in hand and then things got hairy. Lamar Jackson completed nine passes today. That tells you everything you need to know about their offense. And yet they were able to pull out a victory because of the way their defense played

because of the way the Brown shot themselves in the foot repeatedly with decisions and with questionable penalties, which I think Browns fans have a case to complain about some of the penalties in that last drive. But it was about more than that. Baltimore, you know, they get a strip sack of Jacoby Brissette. they turned that into a touchdown. They didn't move the ball all that well offensively, except for that last drive where they're draining clock,

pounding on the ground, looking like the Ravens of 2019 and 2020 again, a team that we haven't seen really do that with authority that much this season. That's where they shifted to. And that was without J.K. Dobbins. But really, I hate to say this, this is probably a game they maybe should have lost. And the reason I say that is because that fumble with a little bit over three minutes left

was the worst time possible, except for the fact that they were deep in Brown's territory. Most other offenses are probably going to go down there and make you pay, but the Brown's offense, because they cannot put points on the board when they need to quickly at the end of games, they continue to struggle. And on the brown side of things, man, I said last week that Kevin Sfansky had his worst performance as a coach, this was not much better. He made some bad decisions. Third and two, you got three, you know, two and a half minutes left, whatever it is. You got the NFL's leading rusher. Don't tell me. And you take a shot to

Amari Cooper that results in an offensive fast interference and pushes you out of field goal rate. Although you got to explain the whole thing, like, which is that for a second. there, and this is why it's got to be tough to be a Browns fan this year, uh, in every year, I guess. It looked like they took the lead. You know, it was a dime. Jacobi Percent was playing fantastic on that drive. He made a number of really good plays.

And it looked like a go ahead touchdown. And then you see the flag. And it was a good call. Cooper pushed off. So it wasn't like they got robbed. But man, you're right. Then they get the penalty before the field goal. They always just find a way.

There's no consistency in how they blow these games, but they blow them. But they, you know, here's, so Chubb finished with 16 carries for 91, Shucky. Like, that's how you close a game out. He's Mariana Rivera. Why isn't he closing out these games? And this goes back to what I said about Kevin Stefanski. He just doesn't make the right decisions in these situations. Last week, it was really ugly early in the third quarter against the Patriots.

He calls a bunch of pass plays. They go three and out, whatever. He does it again this time. Three straight passes. The third one is the strip sack that sets up the touchdown to give the Ravens a 10-point lead. But then he adjusted quicker than usual. He went back to the run and it paid off. They kick a field goal.

They go down and score a touchdown later. They're suddenly within three points again. And then in that situation, third and two, I can't for the life of me understand why you don't treat that as two downs to get two yards. You have time. You want to take up the time out in your pocket. There's no point in taking that shot there. I don't like this roster.

And I think that there's a lot of mismanagement that went on in the off season. Number one, let's talk about the defensive line where it's like you're getting run on. If it's not that week, then there was a situation as a play today. And this is a Lamar Jackson thing to some degree. But it's a Brown's thing too today. where Lamar dropped back to pass. And I think it was like he had about 26 seconds with no one in his face. And then he took off to run and converted.

And it's just like, all right, cool. But the problem is Cleveland does not have complimentary players on defense. And the players they have seem confused and out of date in this thing. Like the Joe Woods' defensive scheme gives them no chance. They didn't give up a billion points today. But it's just there's zero trust watching the Browns that they're going to find a way to close these games. There isn't a team in the league that's blown. situational football on the fourth quarter like this.

And I have to say that Kevin Stefansky is probably on the hot seat. I mean, I don't know how you necessarily make a big argument to, well, is that so crazy? I think what the argument is? Brandon Staley's on the hot seat. So when the quarterback shows up, Watson, how the season ends, I think will have a huge impact on whether or not. That might. It doesn't help that Dave and the joke who left the game on, he was seen in crutches in the locker room after. He's been having a great season.

He was going to the year, two years ago. And I think offensively, you know, we were talking about what a great job he's done, creating offense. You know, his hiring and defensively, they're absolutely a mess. But, you know, you mentioned Deshaun Watson. You got to look at the Browns. You know, to me, they're not like a two and five team, but they are two and five ultimately. And then you look at their next four weeks before Watson's suspension ends. Bengals, Dolphins, Bill's, Bucks.

is so you know you're hoping to I look at that group and I look I say you're hoping to go two and two there and you'd be four and seven when Watson returns which you know probably isn't good enough they blew too many games in this early stretch they had a chance they had a chance to set the table and they're unable to do it because this Cleveland Brown's team is simply an incomplete operation quickly on Lamar though I know like we've talked about his negatives here and this feels like they got a little lucky they're 250 net yards not a good offensive performance but his running this year is next level Like, it's been a little under the radar that he's leading the league in yards per carry. He is top four or five in the league in rushing yards. And in key spots in this game, fourth and one at the 50, if they didn't pick that up, they're going to kill Harbaugh. But if it's Lamar, he picks it up. Later in that drive, they ended up fumbling. It's like third and two, Lamar goes for 11. He goes for 10 for 59.

That has been the equalizer for them. And he's having a next level rushing season, and he might break his own record in terms of the most rushing yards by a quarterback. If you go to that back to that Bengals game two weeks ago, I mean, He put the game on his back at the end with his running ability and completely that was a Lamar Jackson finish right now. He's hurt them, but he's also kept them afloat with that. I was going to say, I was going to say,

it should also be stated that he has not thrown more than a touchdown in a game in over a month now. And he has come down after a blazing hot start the first three weeks. But the running game is a big part of what he does. Shuggie, help us out. Oh, who locked it? Who locked it?

I locked it up. Hey, Gregie. I thought I was going to get your Ravens curse there. Yeah. So you have to sweat it out. That's almost worse than the loss when you have to really deal with that heat at the end of the game. It's not worse than a loss. I can tell you that firsthand.

Almost. We'll get to your lock in a little bit, Mark. Help us out, Shook, before we say goodbye. We're trying to figure out who's good. We're holding votes. Let's go over the four teams we just discussed with you. Bengals, good, right? Good?

Yeah. Let me hear all four. Let me hear all four. Okay. We'll go one at a time. That carries the vote. Okay, Bengals. Falcons.

Okay. Not good. No, not good. Okay. The Ravens. Not good. Okay. Oh, not good.

I'm going to vote good. I don't know. Are you seen good the same way we're seeing good? They're very uneven. Everything, they have strong strengths, weak weaknesses. I'm going, they're good. I'm going ravens are good. Mark.

If I can pick the middle between those, I would. Because I don't see good as like special on any level. Good. Yes, the Ravens are good. We're not looking for special right now in 2020. two NFL. Right. We're just looking for good. Give us something. All right. We're good there. And finally, the brownies. Oh, give me a break. Yeah. Not good. Definitely not good.

All right, Chucky. Thank you, buddy. As always, you are a hero. We'll be right back after this break. What's up, everybody? Daniel Jeremiah here. And I'm Bucky Brooks. On Move the Sticks, we take you inside the game from Scouting Reports and player development to team-building philosophies, coaching trends and how front offices construct winning rosters. Every week, we study the tape, talk to decision makers, and share the insights you won't find anywhere else. It's the kind of conversation that connects the dots, from college football prospects to the NFL stars of tomorrow.

We break down the draft, analyze matchups, and evaluate how teams put it all together on game day. Plus, we dig in the coaching strategies, roster construction, and the trends that shape the league year after year. Whether you're a diehard fan or just love understanding. finding the game on a deeper level, we give you the full picture. If you want insight that goes beyond the box score, this podcast is for you. Don't miss it. Listen to the Move the Six podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Hey, this is Matt Jones. Now I'm Drew Franklin. And this is NFL cover zero. We're just here to try to give you an NFL perspective a little bit different. Did you see the Colts Pretzel? That was my other big takeaway from that game. What was that? Oh, my.

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

Lawrence in a shotgun, empty set again, takes the snap, back to throw, steps up, fires into the end zone, it's part of the one-yard line, Giants stand him up, he's not in, and the plane's going to run out. The Giants stock them in the one-yard line. Holy cow, and the ball game is over. Bob, Papa, WF-F-A-N. The desert doubted the swamps of Jersey. Everybody keeps down the G-Men.

But in this NFL, a team that knows how to win at the end of a game in these sloppy affairs, that'll take you places. That'll take you all the way to six and one after safety, Julian Love and fellow safety. Xavier McKinney stopped Christian Kirk at the one-yard line. No time left. That preserved a 2317 win over the Jags in Duval, Mark. This is the best start for the Ziemann since 2008. They do it every week this way. I don't want to hear about this worst six-and-one team ever business.

They are well-coached. We've talked about that on Thursday. They're powerful. They overpowered the Jaguars. I mean, it was concerning early on because right tackle, rookie right tackle, Evan Neal, lost. Left guard, Ben Brederson, lost. You've lost 40% of your line right there.

And what do they do by games end? wandered away from the stadium? Injured. Oh, they were injured. Okay. Injured. Lost to injury. I didn't know if maybe they made it wrong, like a spinal tap situation under the stadium.

It was like, did Mark win sandwiches on the offense alignment? I think you probably knew where I was going with that, but that's fine. Just look clarity. I didn't see this game yet. I'll be watching tomorrow. I think you'll enjoy it. And I'll tell you why. It's my kind of football because down the, down the stretch.

I mean. Although this is like a 49 minute game pass set up if there ever was. It was a lot. Greg and I both were, Greg and I were both locked in a very long game. This was a long game. This went on forever. But, I mean, Sequin Bart – just – this looked like so many other Giants games where they found a way just to close it out at the end.

And you had two 100-yard rushers. Saquan Barclay, fantastic today, 110 yards. Daniel Jones, like, number one, I don't know what they're going to think about Daniel Jones at the end of the season. That's a tough. It is. It's incomplete. It depends what your other options are, where they are on the draft and all that business.

But I see him being so much more well coach than he's been in the past. And they really – I think Brian Dayball is find a way. way to unlock him on the ground consistently, 107 yards today at 9.7 yards per carry. Every time he look up, he's moving the chains. There were some very designed runs for him that he was really successful with. He made a couple money throws. And this Jaguar's defense is good against the run, but they just wore them down. They wore them down.

And so the flip-flop there was Ken Trevor Lawrence in the end make that game-winning throw. And we've seen this sort of over and over where he's been putting these situations where it's a last second toss and he's had a couple incompletions. He almost said he played one of his better games early on today. And Doug Peterson, I give Doug Peterson credit. I mean, he was really aggressive with this offense early. The Giants went down for an opening touchdown. The Jaguars tried to set the tone by going down, scoring themselves,

and dialing up like Brian Daibald did in week one against the Titans, a two-point conversion, which they converted. So they hung around, but the Giants were just a little too physically powerful in this. I would imagine, though, Doug is also rather pissed off Angelo after you have a turnover. I'm pissed off, Angela. When you're going in for a score, the way the game ends to be that close. But that's again, a lot of that goes back to the Giants. They are the first team in NFL history to start six and one or better

and have each of its first seven games decided by one possession. They have six wins by a combined 27 points. Give me the stat. They probably don't have what on decided on the last play of the game. It's unbelievable. And you mentioned Barclay. I was watching their final touchdown drive. the Giants, I believe was their final touchdown drive.

And Barclay makes a jump cut near about the 25 or 30 yard line and then makes two guys miss and then just darts down the field. And it's like there is no difference between that dude and the 2018 sensation fresh out of Penn State. I think he's better. He looks better, I think. I mean, he's more decisive. You have to, well, okay, so maybe he's a smarter player.

He is back to that. But that electric playmaker that, let's face it. Everyone kind of for the most part thought that guy was gone by the end of last season. So I think that, I think he's a slam dunk choice for comeback player of the year at this point. And one of the better comeback stories in a long time. Absolutely. I just want to mention two quick things that this has been obviously a league trend,

but there was a roughing the passer call on Dexter Lawrence that helped set up a Jaguars touchdown. So if Doug Peterson's upset about some things, he can't be upset about what happened here. But Brian Dayball should be. I mean, Dexter Lawrence essentially kind of tugged Trevor Lawrence around by the jersey. And it was called Ruffing the Pastor. It was egregious. Secondly, Travis E.T.N had a, he had a rough catch and fumble that helped essentially set up a giant score here. But Travis E.T.N, week after week, to me, looks like one of the better running backs in the league.

He is a fascinating watch, and they've got something there. There's no doubt about it. Their running game has been awesome. Their team has totally changed. And, yeah, didn't he fumble on the one after like a 49-year plan? It was a killer turnover. It was a killer turnover. But their team has totally changed throughout the course of the season.

now they've got a really strong running game. They have no outside receivers. Like, everyone is just an inside slot guy, and you saw that on the last drive. And they got close, but they can't go outside. They don't have a guy who can win outside. Kirk is not that guy. But their defense, like, we started the year trying to talk up like this defense could be special, and they just, you know, gave up how many yards in place to Matt Ryan last week?

And then they get totally steamrolled here at the end and give up 400 yards. That's the best, you know, day of the Giants. So their defense isn't special. It's just like a defense. And this is one of those games, though, there's not much separating those two teams. You got to admit, like, but one's two and five and one's six and one.

That's a football guy that's a little bit of luck and a lot of bit of verve. And I know there's a lot to it that goes into how the desert sets these things. But that's always so stunned by the spread of this game. The Giants not getting the respect from the desert because this is happening every week. And I think it's sustainable. I think they'll continue to win games like this. Well, it's the numbers. It's like that.

But at first for a second, I thought you were, you know, who's really saying they're the worst six-and-one team ever? And then I was like, oh, yeah, the number. People were saying that about the five-and-one giants. No, actually, I think football outsiders did, ran the numbers, and just they're not putting any opinion into it. But in terms of their DV-O-A and the numbers of how good the offense defense is, they were the worst, like, five-and-one team ever.

Yeah. And the Vikings are close. Stick it up their butts. That's what they just did. That's what they did. No disrespect. They were 18th coming into this week. DVOA just as much as the next guy potentially,

but I don't care what they have to say about this. Right. And whoop. We lean on that stuff all the time, but this is something a little bit different about this football thing. They play the Seahawks next week. That's a spicy game. But you would, like, crumple it up first,

or what would you do? Shred it? I don't know. I actually have a theory of what I would do, but I don't think we should talk about it on these airways. With the spreadsheets? Yeah, like how to administer it. Let's check in.

Let's see if we had another New York sweep. Toss sweep to the left. All with blockers in front has a crease to the fourth. 45 to the 50, left side line 40, down the side line 30. He's gone. 20, 10, 5 touchdown. Breeze Hall, house call. The Jets take the lead.

Cushingly, that is the final touchdown of the year for Breece Hall, who a little later in the first half against the Broncos got hit on the knee, suffered an injury that Robert Sala believes is very serious and most likely season-ending ACL tear. crushing news for the Jets and their young offense filled with playmakers. But the Jets persevere. 16-9 over the Broncos leaning on their defense to carry the day on a day that not just Breeze Hall, but Corey Davis, one of their top wide receivers and Elijah Vera Tucker,

their star offensive linemen all exited for the game in the first half. They get by on a day that Russell Wilson is out with that hamstring issue that it was just weird because we talked about on the Thursday show. that he looked like he might play and he was saying he had Wolverine blood and all this stuff. And then all of a sudden he struggled and limped through a late week practice and was inactive. So that led to Brett Rippin, who, you know, he's Brett Rippin. And the Jets really gave them the opportunity, Denver, to get a much needed home win here, committing a ton of penalties and being a little sloppy early on.

Once Hall exited, Zach Wilson was not able to get much out. of the offense and that's a very real, there's some real concerns around the Jets offensively now that hauls out. But at the end of the day, the Jets are 5 and 2 now, and they're 4 and 0 away from the Meadowlands. Wow. And this was another game where it was the defense.

And I'll point to Soss Garner, who broke up the fourth down pass to clinch the game, that show like they can win these games, just like the Giants in a very unsettled muddled landscape, they can find a way and they have more often than not lately. I have a couple concerns. I mean, obviously, like, without Brees Hall, what they were becoming on offense with him

was someone that I thought could shield the attack from Zach Wilson's up and down nature, largely down. Watching this not as closely as you, Dan, but I don't see it with Zach Wilson right now. And that's, record aside, I think that's your concern going forward if the running game is not going to be what it was. Yeah, and I'll say this. Michael Carter is very good.

He's going to kind of step into a much bigger role for the Jets. Maybe they trade for someone, you know, Melvin Gordon's on the outs. Could trade for Christian McCaffrey. In Denver. It's two coaching steps into each other. That doesn't make any sense. Okay. I'm just saying it's an option.

It's something you could explore. You'd have to top the offer that they just gave up to. Pick up the phone. That would be a lot. Pick up the phone. I don't think San Francisco is looking to flip Christian McCaffrey, like a house. I don't know how this works. Just threw that out there as an option.

But anyway, yes, I think the Jets are in a lot of trouble now. If Wilson continues to struggle. Now, I got to give Denver credit on the defense. of side of the ball. Once again, Greg, week after week, and this has made it even more frustrating for fans of this team, and an AFC West where no one's running away with the division, they are putting forth an effort that's keeping their team in games, and they did it again. They had Wilson and a blender in this game, and they just don't get enough on offense. They get hardly anything at all. Right. They outgained the Jets. They only gave up 260 yards,

10 first downs to the Jets. But that hall play, and Michael Carter had a 37-yard play. Like, the Jets haven't moved the ball at all with Zach Wilson, but they have had these explosive plays that have been enough. They're going to have to be a defensive team. It's just frustrating, I think, if you're a Jets fan, because you did see offensive pass production with Joe Flacco. I'm not saying you want to go back to Joe Flacco, but you did see Garrett Wilson, you know,

ball out. And Corey Davis, they said it's going to be a PCL injury. They don't think it's going to be anything major. That still might be a week or two, but he will. be back but you do want to be able to use these offensive skill position players and yeah now it's not going to just be brief hall coming up with place but they have such good depth like carter's a great example of that he is but and you guys know i was very down uh before we started the show uh because and a little concerned about you to be honest but not now you're again you're very professional

you have you know who what did it it's podcasting with us i mean it's just like this is a brotherhood we're here where we feel comfortable i think so we're on the field i think that's what it's It's been a long time since the Jets had like a young running back that hit the ground and look like a potential star. And it's so painful and so predictable. But he breaks that long touchdown run. And I head to Twitter feeling good about myself and my team. And right, Breeze Hall is a star. And not 15 minutes later.

He gets his knee blown. He gets caught up in some traffic. And you hear a scream. And I'm like, they cut away from the play. And I'm like, I don't think he got up. And sure enough, it was a serious knee injury. So they have to find a way. And ultimately, here's the thing, even with Breece Hall done for the year.

And we hope it's not one of those, like we talked about, Chris Godwin situations, or Michael Gallup, where the guy has the ACL and he comes back and he's still not the guy. Sometimes you guys has the ACL and he's fine the next year. So you hope that's what it is for Breece Hall. They have pieces and depth to still be proficient on offense. But if Zach Wilson is going to be the guy, he's been the last two weeks, that's going to be what haunts them this year and what's going to doom them to mediocrity so with that said

the Giants good obviously depend except for football outsiders but they might feel differently I don't want Giants Twitter to come after me are you going to go 42 and 46 Greg here I'm just I just saying you have to think about it at least whether they're going to be good moving forward

but they've earned good there's a lot of good teams now this Broncos team I'm just saying every week's crazy Mark, do you hear Greg? What? Do you hear how delusional use? I attempt to tune out some of what Greg says, and that was the case a minute ago.

I don't know what he was. They're six and one, Greg. Yeah. Just they're good right now. Okay. We're good. We're looking for fun in this regular season right now. Do you know what happened in 42 and then also in 46?

I know. I know. But he's got to get over. If you're able to come do the show, based on what you dealt with, he's got to deal with Super Bowls from a long time ago. Good is a low bar. That's fair. This Broncos team is like book notes on C-SPAN.

Like, it's about that vibrant to watch. And they're annoying me. And I did ask you the question, Dan. I'm annoyed now. At some point, does Nathaniel Hackett maybe just like, you know, he goes into his office and Denver just leaves his wallet, his cell phone. You know, maybe takes out $11,000 in cash and just hard vanishes on a rental car. Larry David did this in the 70s when he was a writer on SNL. He was there and nobody liked him and he wasn't getting any of his sketches on the air.

And one day he just didn't go to work. Yeah. And then he changed his mind a couple days later and went into work. And they were like, no, like, what are you doing here? You don't belong here anymore. Right. He could try that. He could do a soft quit.

Oh, look. Look at that lock. Oh, I locked up the jets. You did. And I also, I forgot to play this during the last recap. Why? Oh, what happened? West Bros.

Locked the Jaguars. Why? Why would they do that? Or, or Nick did. You know what, Nick, it's not about the record. record, it's about the NFL network airtime and what you're doing with it. And you're running into the end zone every week with that airtime. I don't see.

Keep posting else. I'm just trying to get some positives. You could have it all. You could also win. And by the way, it's getting late early for the Broncos. There are two games back at the playoffs right now. I know, you know, the chiefs are leading that division. It's getting late early for the Broncos?

They stink, Greg. I'm just saying, you're saying like no one's running away with it. We've seen enough of these teams come back after, especially. a team with literally the number one defense in the league right now. It's hard to just totally cancel them out but it's getting pretty close here. Two games back is pretty significant. It's the

offense that stinks and the game plan of the offense that I think that stinks and maybe Russell Wilson that stinks. And that was the first time I'd lock the Jets in 68 weeks according to the great... And you previously were I read O and 4 at locking the Jets. So this is a new territory

for you. It is a new Jets team. I want to say yes but I'm very good. We're good. Maybe troubled now. Are the Jets good? I think the problem with this exercise is good as a low enough bar that, yeah, their defense is frisky. I'd say yes.

That is enough. Maybe we have to go through this at the end of the show. All right, let's head across the sidewalk to SoFi Stadium where there was a four and two team playing and a frisky team with a superstar quarterback named Gino. Surely there are good teams here. Let's check in. First and ten, Tost to Walker goes right. side has a little running room parkingson out front here comes up the sideline he's on the

run 40 down to the 30 are they going to catch him i don't think so 15 10 5 touchdown seahawks 74 yards they toss it to ken walker the third he gets fired out of a gatlin gun and he is gone up the right sidelines 74 and nobody got a whiff i love it steve steve rable Oh, the bongos are out. K-I-R-O. I like that. Shot out of a Gatling. Oh, shot out of a cannon.

Enough with the cannons. It's 2022. We got hypersonic missiles now. We got lasers. He hit 22 miles an hour. People are getting excited. That's the fastest by a ball carrier this season. 22.

He broke 22. Well, look at that. We're never going to make miles per hour a thing, but we're trying. Unbelievable. The Seahawks. behind Ken Walker, the third, and two touchdown passes from Gino Smith. Rumble past the Chargers. Football's worst four and three team.

37 to 23, yes, at SoFi Stadium. Gregi, obviously, the Jets are dealing with it now with Breece Hall. Rashad Penny goes out of the lineup with a season-ending injury. And you have Ken Walker, who is a big-time player, it looks like. He is incredible. He's not what his draft profile was, at least what I thought, which was more of a bruiser. This guy has juice. He has patience.

He's got wiggle. Maybe he's too high profile to be a guy, but I want him to be my guy along with Gino Smith, just because he's so much fun to watch. I've taken Kenneth Walker. Kenneth Walker, the third is off. He's such a really, to be honest, like, it's a little bit impossible to join the Seahawks hype train at this point with like who's... There's no, no, no, no, no, no.

You could come. I'll find my own thing. They are fun. I do remember like four games into the season, I said, you know, Gino's playing so well, and he played well today, had a couple bad throws, had an interception, but played well.

But I expect that each week. And we said back then, they've got like the last ranked running game, the last ranked defense. If they just picked those up, this could be a frisky team. And suddenly, you look, and Kenneth Walker is running through secondaries,

and their defense in back-to-back weeks has been solid to better. I know they gave up 23 points here, but they forced two turnovers in the first quarter, which really set the tone, and there was a six-drive stretch where the Chargers went five straight punts and then a turnover on downs.

And that's all you need for this offense. It sounds crazy, but if you give this offense enough chance, it's clearly a top-10 offense right now. Echler had a tacky late touchdown to make this thing look more competitive. Seattle badly outplayed the Chargers. in their building in this game. And yeah, it's, you know, on the Chargers side of things, it's a thing, it's a problem.

Their offense is underachieving. And I think everyone that bought in hard on the Chargers and that includes this podcast hitting into the season, bought into Justin Herbert as an MVP candidate. None of this is looking so hot right now because I feel like the last month or so, and I know they were winning before today. They were a three-game winning streak going to this game.

Even the head coach said he doesn't feel like we're on a winning streak. And then you saw them play like the coach feels the team is, which is very sub-bar. They'll never be in first place in this division again all season. It's over. I don't mean that they're over entirely. Oh, Sizzler. No, I think there are major problems here. And I mean, you know, Justin Herbert and threw an unusual interception for him today.

He was stripped of the ball, back-to-back turnovers. I mean, this is just... Could have been picked off a couple more times if the Seahawks just dropped under Herbert. offense to me is just poorly organized, poorly coached, not fun to watch right now, which is like if you're doing that with Justin Herbert, that's on you, because you've got something special here. That's true. And more bad news for the Chargers, J.C. Jackson, who's their big time, one of their big

free agent acquisitions or off-season acquisitions, suffers a bad leg injury. It's a dislocated kneecap. He gets carted off in an aircast, and you know what that means. almost always his season is over and it's been a disastrous one. Mike Williams looked like he suffered a pretty bad ankle knee injury. I mean, it's just starting to fall apart a little bit here. Yeah, I mean, it is worth. What happened with Keenan Allen today?

He played a little bit in the first half and then didn't come back for the second. They have a buy week. No team has needed to buy more. But yeah, that Mike Williams played to me was so typical of this Chargers season. It's a fourth in 11 in a pretty hopeless situation. Herbert gets out of quick pressure, makes an incredible throw to Mike Williams. Everything to Mike Williams is so hard who makes an incredible catch

yet it was short of the first down and his knee and ankle get bent backwards awkwardly. Game over. Then he's now going into the by week with what could be a significant injury that he needs to recover from. Yeah, they lose Jackson. I mean, they did lose

their left tackle. Corey Lindley's been banged up. The quality of the players that they've been losing is kind of outrageous. It's part of the equation. And just to sum up, you know questions about the leadership and the decision making behind the scenes on that team Keenan Allen is one more week away from the buy and a hamstring that he hurt in week one the fact that he played and then instantly hurt himself again not a great look j c jackson

came back early this season to play that thursday night game against the chiefs when he wasn't right and he was never right and then he his knee gets jacked up in this game justin herbert we know the story of that thursday night game with the rib and leaving him in even thought at the end to this game. I mentioned the Fugasey, Austin Echler, Herbert touchdown at the end of the game. What are these guys even playing for? Like, why are they being so cavalier with these players, especially given their injury issues this year? There's a pattern there. I agree with you. We shouldn't, we shouldn't overlook what the Ciac's defense did, though. I really think they're building something. They changed what they were doing. Daryl Taylor played well for a second straight

week, made a big play. Like, their defensive line should be good. Willans making plays on the ball. like the coverage was all over the Chargers. And the Seahawks are in first place. Like, they're a real story. To me, they're good. I think they're a good team because they're a good offense. I feel like I know what I'm getting out of Gino every week. He had some dimes.

They lost D.K. Wait, wait. We didn't do the vote. That was just one vote. Okay. That's just one. Well, that's my vote. I vote yes, too.

Okay, good. I also do. What do you need to see? I mean, they lost D.K. Mekhov pretty early in this game. And that's like the moment you're like, oh, this offense is going to kind of fall apart. But they end up getting. Markis Goodwin for two touchdowns and then Walker goes crazy.

Hopefully that's not serious for that gap. I really hope it's. That does change who they are if that's long term. That would be depressing. Chargers, I do not think. I don't think they're good. I'm going to vote no on Chargers. They have a good roster.

They're not good football team right now. I'd say the same. All right. Let's move on. That hurts. Just right now. So now set up first in 10 on the Texas 15. Delight hand up to Jacob.

Huge all at the middle team. Cutts right. Touchdown Jacobs. The hat trick in the end zone. His third rushing touchdown of the day. What the hell is going on with Josh Jacobs? I love it. I mean, I'm not complaining.

What the hell's going on here? Josh Jacobs, who you heard from before the season started as yet another quote unquote first round bust, whose contract, his fifth year option was not being picked up. and the Raiders clearly under new leadership seemed to be in the direction of moving on. He has gone absolutely off these last three weeks. 20 for 143 for three touchdowns in this game.

A very important game for the Raiders who win 3820 over the Texans. And Mark, this is a game they absolutely had to have. And to see Jacobs now stacking these big time weeks, it does add an element to their offense that they kind of needed. Yeah, they've changed who they are on offense, and I really love what they've done. And I think Josh McDaniels, you know, patiently kind of wanted to see what he had. And he found out that Josh Jacobs is about to have his career season.

He's having it right now. They were down 20 to 17 entering the fourth quarter in this. It's crazy. And then they simply took over. That's got check time. For a team that's lost a lot of, a ton of narrow games, I like that. Yeah, because they save their season. I mean, we'll see what's to come.

But had they go one in five with a loss to the Texans, Check you later. But four straight touchdown marches of 10 plays 82 yards, 10 plays 75 yards, a 76-yard touchdown drive, another 76-yarder. And Jacobs, to me, is someone that had the ability to absolutely lift the offense and wear down the Texans. Like the Texans on the flip side played a good game. Davis Mills played the best game of his year.

I mean, they don't have a lot of parts. But Damien Pierce, as a runner, is very powerful himself. He had 92 yards. And they have just enough through the air where, like, I thought Mills played some, had some money throws today where he stood in against the rush and delivered. And you've been waiting for that game for him because I think last year you saw little sparks. Today, I saw it again. This offense does not need to revolve around Derek Carr, which I like. You're getting just enough of a Devante Adams on certain drives, but they're without Waller at the moment.

And Jacobs makes up for it. And they can win games this way. I kind of like who they can be from here on out because their physical team. I mean, their offense is good. They've scored 33 points a game the last three weeks. Nearly beat the Chiefs. Including against the Broncos defense. They're the only team that's hurt the Broncos defense this year.

I watched this game and we made fun of Mark on the preview show for drafted it so early. Now, you still could have drafted it in the last. But it was a very obvious gaffe in terms of the draft strategy. Your draft strategy. It wasn't critical of Mark the man. This was an enjoyable game. So I picked an enjoyable game. I ended up watching this game.

myself. Well, that's your opinion. And both quarterbacks played outstanding. There were dimes all over the place. And these might be two of the best five running backs in the league right now. I, you know, play a game. Go watch this on game pass and count how many times Josh Jacobs and Damien Pierce

didn't make the first guy miss. It's just like automatic. Like, there was some good football being played in this game. The Raiders finished with a season high, 400 yards of offense. And, you know, what I said earlier about, you know, they were down three points, got the win. You know, that's good. Because I think a team like the Raiders, especially with their soft schedule coming up, you just need to bank that, you know,

feel good win where you close out a team and you, you kind of are able to lose that, man, this team's going to come and get us at the end because it happens to us every week. I just would not be surprised if they are right in the thick of things in a few weeks, but we shall see one at a time for the Yankees. I mean, the Raiders, but both. Okay, Dan. Let's take a break and we'll be right back. What's up, everybody?

Daniel Jeremiah here. And I'm Bucky Brooks. On Move the Sticks, we take you inside the game from scouting reports and player development to team building philosophies, coaching trends, and how front offices construct winning rosters. Every week, we study the tape, talk to decision makers, and share the insights you won't find anywhere else. It's the kind of conversation that connects the dots, from college football prospects to the NFL stars of tomorrow. We break down the draft, analyze matchups, and evaluate how teams put it all together on game day. Plus, we dig in the coaching strategies, roster construction, and the trends that shape the league year after year. Whether you're a diehard fan or just love understanding the game on a deeper level, we give you the full picture.

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Welcome back. All right. The Houston, I mean, the AFC South, I should say, always seems to come back to two teams. They have a huge showdown on Sunday. The division at stake. Before Halloween. Let's check it out. Weird scheduling is what I'm saying.

Ryan gets rid of it quickly. It's intercepted. 30, 40, 50. Adams, 40, 30, 20, 10, 5, end zone. Touchdown, Titans, Andrew Adams, to the house. Oh, what a great play. Wow, I love that. So does everybody else in this stadium.

Well, let's not speak for everyone. Not Frank Reich. I'm sure there were some Colts fans in there that were furious. Mike Keith and Dave McGuinness still with a spicy call, and I like it. GFX. Andrew Adams did have the 76-yard pick six. A big play for the victorious Tennessee Titans 19 to 10 over the cults. We now bring in our AFC South Consigliary Justin Graver. What's up, buddy? This was a big one. I say slightly ingest, but the fact that both these teams have now finished up their head to heads,

home and homes, I should say, by winning both, you just get a feeling that they just ran away with this division of the Titans. Well, they've got to take care of business where it matters now down the stretch, but as far as being in the best position you could possibly hope to be after an 0-and-2 start, I think the Titans are doing well. Fifth straight win over the Colts second sweep in as many years. So that's nice. That feels good for Grave-Digger especially.

owns Frank Reich right now. Like Andrew Luck owned the Titans for his entire career, but now the tables have turned. To say the least. And, you know, that is, that's a good call, Justin, because it hasn't been dominant, it hasn't been flashy. Nobody's talking about the Titans, but you're kind of used to that I know, and that's a bit of a chip on the shoulder for Titans fans. But they've gotten off the mat, won four games in a row, and they're kind of right back to where you thought they would be around this time. So you've got to give them credit for that. This game was not entirely exciting.

I talked a little bit on Thursday show about how it was the fifth ranked CBS crew. They were right. It was the fifth best game probably on CBS today. But it was fun for Titans fans. Bud Dupree came back in this game after he was hurt. He played a little bit after coming back and then was hurt again. Eight pressures in this game working mostly against Dennis Kelly, the former Titan who stepped in to play left tackle for the Colts, got a sack.

It was the defense that did it. I mean, the Titans were on a red zone hot streak. 11 straight touchdowns in the red zone going into this game. They were 0 for two, kicked four field goals, didn't score a touchdown on offense, but still win 19 to 10 because the Colts couldn't move the ball either.

Where are we with Ryan Tannahill? It's not limping around out there, and I heard something about a walking boot after the game. Ryan Tannahill turned his ankle on a play. He missed one snap. Malik Willis came in, handed it off. Tannahill came back the next series and finished out the game. But that was in, I mean,

that was like midway through. When was that? That was right at the beginning of the fourth quarter. First play of the fourth quarter, he turned his ankle. For the rest of the game, he attempted two passes. And Henry had like... See, that's where you could have listened to the great John Madden in what he told Dan Hansis famously was... In the John.

If you don't know the injury status, when it happened, just make it up. Just make it up. Sure. More than likely, people will not check. Derek Henry also, again, he's kind of been the face. If you had to pick one player that's kind of symbolized this season for the Titans, it's Henry, who once again, had a big day, his third straight, 100-yard rushing game,

season high, 128 on 30 totes. The team started slow. Henry started slow. He's warmed up. The team's warmed up. That is not a coincidence. Right. It's not a coincidence.

And Henry was like the engine that won this game towards the end. The Colts turned it over with three and a half minutes left. Frank Reich had used all of his timeouts on the previous drive. One on a challenge that was just a phenomenal catch by Austin Hooper, got the ball knocked out of his hands, but then reclaimed it before it hit the ground. That was basically the game-winning play because it put the Titans in field goal range

to really put them up by two scores. Frank Reich used his timeouts on that drive with like five minutes left in the game hoping, I guess, to get the ball back with more time. But it ended up being that when the Titans had the ball after the turnover with three and a half minutes left, they only had to pick up a couple first downs, which Henry did and that ice the game.

What's happening to your physical body during these Titans games when they turn in your favor? Stephens. Oh I wasn't asking that Are you getting nervous? Like a nervous The whole

Yeah what are you saying Emotional detachment I just asked a question No no emotional detachment Really? You don't please I mean Some numbness has sunk in

Don't you like own a Titan's website or something That I I started one that I don't run anymore Because of the whole Awkward subject 80% is a wardrobe But he also runs a blog

Give me a break This Detach emotionally. I don't believe that. Don't lie on the podcast. The difference in this division might be like they both have terrible offensive lines, but one quarterback's a little better to deal with it than the other. And the Colts to me are such a 20-22 team.

I don't know how they're 3-3-1. They're so far from good. Not good. Not good. They, you know, we know their offense isn't good, but they are an example of this season because defenses are letting you just throw the ball seven yards at a time. if that's what you're going to do.

And that's why, you know, Ryan threw it 50-something times last week. He threw it 44 times this week. And yet they didn't top 300 yards and they got 10 points. Like, if there's just something about my brain breaks that he's completed 33 passes and they have 10 points. But that very much is like the NFL in 2022. A lot of completed passes go and no way. This team beat the Chiefs. That is bizarre team.

That was the flukiest game I've ever seen. It is. not deserve. Here's the good news, Justin. It's the G-Men corollary here. They are perfectly built for this NFL. They run a ball control offense with a Hall of Fame running back and a quarterback that's not going to kill you very often.

And they are battle-tested. Unless it's the playoffs against the Bengals. We're not talking to the playoffs. And they're battle-tested with a good coaching staff. They will win a lot of close games this year. And we're going to look up at the standings in January. They're going to be 12 and 5. And you might even have a buy again.

Yeah. I'm taking the under The bills have to lose a game at some point I said might But I think this is going to be a team That ends up winning 11 games And again you're like what I'm going to pick against them in the playoffs

And then you'll probably be proven correct in that But it is what it is They're the only team in either Southern division To have a winning record Oh wow I got the vapors talking about the Southern Got to relegate those two divisions I'm just saying like the Panthers are one game out

In the NFC South everyone's alive One more game before Sunday night football Let's head to Landover Maryland. He was in the slot to the left. That's where it is. Third and nine. Pressure up the middle.

Lobs one towards McClearn who comes record and makes a catch at the Packers' 43-out-line. He loves it. He loves it. I love that. He loves it. He loves it. Talk about Blitz. Bram Weinstein and that was not, I would tell you what, that's not London Fletcher.

That's Julie Donaldson with the call for WBIG. Listen, Tyler Heineke, he's got plucked for days And you don't want him starting 10 games in a row But he steps in, you squint hard enough And there's a little farve to him Just kind of looks like farve a little bit Sometimes just throws the ball for grabs And good things happen

And good things happen for the commanders And a 23-21 win Over the Packers We gotta ask if they're good Do we? Mark, we'll start with you on this one Let's start on a personal note.

You moved out of a lock. Who is your original lock? Not in Kansas City Chiefs. Who were victorious. Easily. And this is why... This is part of what makes you Mark and part of why I love you, Mark.

You're so unpredictable and volcanic in some ways that you moved away from the Chiefs and then chose a team that you actively dislike to root for. You expect, you know, the football gods, they were obviously going to smite you on that one, and they did. You took the L. Yeah, they dropped an old ancient hammer on me today, and I'll tell you something. I will never, ever again lock up the Packers ever in my life.

I am not. They are so, I know that they've been on a tugboat timeout. They're on a sessy lifetime ban. Well, it's got, it's got a, how about a sessy sit-in? Sessy suspension. Sessy suspension. For a lifetime suspension. suspension. I cannot believe, first of all, you would have enjoyed sitting and watching this game

with Mark. It was also the first half. And Greg, you can explain it. Like the first half ended while the game I was watching was deep into the third quarter. And it's like this thing went on for 4,000 years. It was as drawn out as possible and unpleasant to watch in my circumstances. But what did you think of it? When it was 2321 and the Packers made a touchdown to make it close at the end, Cessler like exploded and was just like like please like relieve me you like I will love you forever backers if you win this game in this is why I don't do fantasy football this is why I don't play cornhole with you guys because I get to competitive so I know not to go down the road the locks competition you are super into it I'm we're all into it yeah yeah I should have lost on their own team the Titans what is this oh grave digger shame on

you if I'd lock the Titans they would have blown it let's that's not how I control how they Let's talk about the game. Let's, before we get to Washington and the good stuff there, let's a little, we'll save the best for last there. The Packers are the bigger story because the Packers, instead of a get-right game against a backup quarterback in Landover, Maryland, they instead lose again,

which led to questions for the team after the game, including to Aaron Rogers. Writing the ship and getting the playoffs, does that feel plausible right now? Damn right, it does. I'm not worried about this squad. In fact, this might be the best thing for us. This week, you know, nobody's going to give us a chance.

Going to Buffalo and Sunday Night Football, the chance they get exposed, shoot, might be the best thing for us. I don't know. I don't know if they can. I don't like this. How about a run to where? They can run, but where are they running to?

Well, I mean, they have their own issues in the playoffs. That's how they got into tugboat timeout. But their issues on offense, it's just not happening. And, you know, they make that beautiful throw that scramble where Rogers flushes out of the pocket and then hits Aaron Jones to give them life in the second half. And it's like, why is that there more of that? Like, why is everything so hard, especially with the passing game? Greg, there was one moment on a key fourth and one where they have Aaron Jones and an absolute hammer in A.J. Dillon.

and they try a pass to Romeo Dobbs. Who's never met a pass he couldn't drop. I mean, I think he had his hands on four passes today and he had zero reception. And that's my point. This is an ongoing situation with the receivers here. It has kind of been a worst case scenario where he's struggling to find somebody to trust. Yet the game plan remains this like Rogers will figure it out in big spots and they're not figuring it out. Right.

And he was seen Mouthing to the sideline after a separate. possession that ended on a Romeo Dobbs drop. Although I would point out Rogers threw that pass low and his accuracy was not great throughout today. He's playing through that thumb injury. He's not playing well. Dobbs isn't playing well. But that was another situation where they're not going to the running game

and he was mouthing to the sideline. What are we effing doing? I saw that. What are we doing? It's like a weekly cutaway to him doing something of frustration of that nature. They had 80 yards going into the fourth quarter of this game. They had three good fourth quarter drives. One of them ended on that down,

so it ended up being a heartbreak on that fourth down play. But then they had a touchdown and, you know, the garbage time drive. They had 80 yards, the Green Bay Packers. And it all comes together because there's a lack of rhythm, certainly on offense and a lot of quick drives. Like there were, I think out of their first six drive, five of them were puns, three of them, three and out. It's another couple where they just get one first down and punt.

But part of it is their defense can never get off. the field. So it's a combination. The Washington commanders had 37 minutes a time of possession. And in the second half, they had a 16 play like 8 minute, 48 second long field goal drive. And that's something we've seen in the second half of all their games. Like the Washington running game was really pretty dynamic and mixed it up throughout the day. Heineke did not play well. I'll get to him in a second. But it's all like of one piece to me. Like the offense. and the defense and Alan Lazzard goes out and like all the targets, Dan,

are to Lazzard and Jones. And you're saying, why is it more of that? It's because, like, they don't have more of those players that Rogers trust, 17 targets to those two guys. And when you don't get those two guys, you got nothing. And let's get to Washington in a second, but just one more note, the Sammy Watkins play where it was a deep throw

and he was being interfered with, but he kind of pulled up on the route and the throw was so over his head that they picked up the flag, to the point where the announcer was like, Sammy Hawkins hurt there and is like, was he actually injured? I don't think so. He either wasn't running the route right or he doesn't have any speed left on those legs.

It's just very sloppy on that side in a day where Aaron Joe and AJ Dylan had 12 carries combined. Wow. And one last thing on them too. I think Rogers is afraid of his offensive line. Well, they don't have David Bactiari today. They didn't have Bacteri today. And they're playing a team that was one of the highest, you know, rated teams in terms of pressure, Sacks pressure rate.

Okay, one quarterback in this game actually was hit 10 times. That was Taylor Heineke. One offensive line almost pitched the Goldston on Washington. That was Green Bay. Rogers was barely touched because he wasn't holding on to the ball. He was getting rid of it quickly. So I think he was almost like spooked. You never see them make a play.

I was just watching this Packers offense and be like, someone make a play. No one's making a play. And that includes Aaron Rogers. He's not playing well. And in this time, I don't think he made good decisions in terms of when he got rid of the ball. And on the Washington side, Terry McClure, and his numbers aren't great this year

because quarterback play has been so erratic. And in general, the commander's offense is pretty middling at best. But he made several big plays in this game, including the beautiful touchdown on a great throw from Heineke. They have to make sure. Curtis Samuel has been nice for them

and has found his role. They have Brian Robinson back there with Antonio Gibson. But McClorin's got to be targeted 10 times a game. He's the guy. He's the dude. I know you agree with that one, Greg. Yeah, he won them this game. We put so much on quarterbacks and I'll mention Heineke in a second.

But sometimes you just need your guys to go make a play. And that was McLaurin today. Two plays, including that lob. I love that play call. I mean, that call by the radio play by play there. It was like Heineke lobs it up, which is what a lot of his passes are. And McLaren went and just got it.

And he beat Jayae Alexander multiple times in this game, including on that last drive a couple times. That's just like your best player beating the other guy's best player. He did it on the touchdown throw two. And Heineke, to, you know, to his credit, gave Samuel and McLaurin a chance to make plays a few times, and they did it. He could not have been worse to start this game.

You were down on him when we were discussing this during the... He was one for eight at one point with a couple... a couple interception or one interception. And at that point, he had three dropped interceptions and an interception to start the game. He could have had four interceptions in the first quarter of this game, but the Packers couldn't finish.

It's got plucked, though. And you know what I thought, though? I thought he's been listening to our sound drop all season. You know what it is? But it's like, you're going to go ahead and, as we all know, decided to really go ahead and start to take command. And I felt like Heineke's performance in this game.

He knows that sound drive. If you just tuned in this, our Super Bowl 57 coverage of Commanders Packers with Greg Rosenball. It really was a fascinating game that he was setting up like that part of the drop. The first quarter was I maybe. If we left the room, do you think he would just keep talking? The next three quarters was taking command. He took command. He took command.

He did. He did. And he'll be back again because Carson Wentz is injured for the foreseeable future. All right. Would you please shut up? up. All right. There goes Dan.

Wait, where did Dan go? Oh, Dan's no longer here. Let's get to the Sunday night football game. Ticket. Escape, thought about running as the firing. Stand to the sideline. Nick Benogany didn't come down with the second foot. Holland says review it.

Line judge comes down for a conversation. Chris, he may have this. He may have this. Let's look. Nick Benogany, one down. He got it. He died. That was a jarring end to a 16 to 10 Dolphins victory.

Kenny Pickett getting picked off by Noah Igbenogany. In the end zone to end a late bid by the Steelers to steal one. And yeah, hopefully for all the listeners, it wasn't too jarring a transition there from Dan to myself. But, you know, he got up around 3 a.m. Pacific. time to take a flight back from New York. So he is back home and, you know, hopefully enjoyed this one, Mark. Not a lot of points in the second half.

It had a prime time 16 to 10 final type of feel. And yet this one felt a lot more interesting than the Broncos type of prime time games we've gotten. Oh, for sure. I mean, it started with the suggestion of a better primetime game than we've been used to. I mean, the dolphins coming out, scoring on the first three drives, but then it went dark. And I mean, this is a kind of game where you're left wondering. I think there are questions if you're a Dolphins fan about where you are with Tua.

Because if anyone was, who was luckier in this game than Tua to throw, they say four interceptions that were dropped that would be like turnover worthy plays. I think there were five actually. But this was a messy, messy second half for the dolphins. Starting with the Tua negativity. Well, I'm not trying to be negative because I think like he does good things. But it's like that we've sort of seen little dottings of that throughout this season. where he's had a lot of dropped picks.

I think that's why that's like showed up in his PFF grade and stuff like that. And he's been fortunate. He started off the game so well and then he got cold and he lucked out. But, you know, the game, the way it ended, you know, picket. And this offense is where kind of I'll start because they just seem limited.

You know, they get a good game out of Najee Harris. They have their receivers out there. the Dolphins lost a cornerback or two during the game. They were down there, they were down four cornerbacks in this game, and then they lost their safety Brandon Jones, who's the starter next to Javon Holland. And yet they couldn't take advantage of those one-on-one matchups. They didn't trust their offensive line to protect enough

or their offensive line didn't protect enough or pick it. Just couldn't quite get it to his playmakers on the outside. that final play, I think, was a miscommunication. You know, it's a scramble drill. He thought Deonti Johnson was going to go one way. Johnson goes the other. We saw a similar type of play with Chase Claypool earlier in the fourth quarter. And he also could a, you know, Pickett could have ran maybe for about 15, 20 yards.

And you're seeing good things out of Pickett every game. But between the play calling and then the offensive line and the lack of synchronicity, like in a rookie quarterback, it just doesn't. add up to a lot. No, it really shows. I kind of wanted to see Mitch Trubisky. That sounds stupid. Well, it doesn't.

You know what? I remember you. In this game. In the viewing room, you said that. And I, it depends what they want to accomplish this season. Because if you wanted to win some of these games, a close game, what you got from Mitch Robisky last game, probably would have gotten you there tonight. But that's, that's a small sample size.

I'm getting overly influenced by how he played against the Bucks where he was just throwing it very aggressively. And that was not the Trubiski we saw. So maybe I'm being. unfair to picket. I mean, it's another three interception game for Pickett. I'm willing to be patient with him. If they want to go this course,

he's not going to be fully cooked or developed in, you know, a third start. The early interception in the game in the first quarter was another one where Chase Claypool fell down. It just seems like there's a lot of miscommunication and off-target throws. Yeah, that could have been a pass interference, too. They could have called that. The two guys hit knee. So I feel like Pickett's had an extraordinary amount of bad luck on top of everything.

But he did make an interception, we should point out, on the drive. Before that game ending interception, the Steelers were driving, had a really nice drive. You know, got 10 plays or 12 plays, 62 yards, you know, got down to the 30. And then he was fooled and threw it on right at Javon Holland, who is having an all-pro type of season for the Dolphins. Yeah. So the point about this game, Miami at that point could have closed this thing down. they get the ball at the Pittsburgh 49 after the run back, and they go three and out.

I mean, it just seemed like both offenses came to die in the second half, essentially. Yeah, it was shocking because, so to set the table, the dolphins come out looking incredible. You mentioned how Tua started the game. Everything was wide open. Everything was perfect. Rahim Moster is, you know, ripping outside zone run. That's great. They go touchdown, field goal, field goal to start, and you felt like, man, the Steelers are lucky that it's only 13.

team nothing because it seemed like the dolphins could do anything they want, but they just kind of shot themselves in the foot as they got close to scoring their touchdowns and couldn't finish those drives. But I got to say that's kind of a trend for this Dolphins team. So you can see how good Mike McDaniel is as a coach. You can see how comfortable to it is and how good he is when he's hot. I mean, he did that little pirouette move. I mean, never seen a play quite like that. Instead of a three-step drop, he put his back to the line of scrimmage and then just and then just flipped around and it threw it to, it was like a one-step drop where he just spun

and he threw that to Tyree Kill. Like, they're doing cool stuff. And then you look up at the end of the game and they have 16 points. And that was kind of similar when Teddy and Schuyler Thompson was in. They had a ton of good stats, but their offense has only scored over 21 points one time this year. Yeah, and that's with Tua,

including, you know, in four Tua starts one time this year over 21 points. So they're getting a lot of yards and not scoring a lot of points. To your point about the fast start, They had 165 yards and 10 first downs before Pittsburgh had their first first down. And like big plays, too. I was shocked. I think Brian Flores did a good job, you know, maybe helping out with that defense in Mike Tomlin. And they made some adjustments.

Minko Fitzpatrick had a good day. But they were the first team, maybe almost all year, since week one to really, a week two, to shut down Tyree Kill. Yeah. I mean, I do think, doing something. No, I think it's just, this just reminds me of the environment. of every game or what we're seeming to watch,

where it's like, I don't know why the entire league seems to have shifted in a cozy fashion back to 19701. How do you feel about this? I don't like this, though.

This is like, you're limited is the word for a lot of these offenses. I like when an offense can destroy someone on the ground every once in a while and just, like, demoralize them psychologically.

That's not this. This is demoralizing me psychologically when we're, you know, this is like the 10th hour of football today and it's a lot of low, Well, I watch the Bucks Panthers game.

Yeah. I like, I'm sad that it demoralize you psychologically, but I do enjoy that that's what you like out of your sports. Is one team morally or demoralizing the other team? It has been a long day. I like punishment. I mean, in football. I'm with you, though.

I do like a nice blowout every once in a while. I always say how I enjoy that Seahawks Broncos blowout in a Super Bowl. It's fun. This wasn't that. How about this? Are the dolphins good to continue our theme? I mean, they're on the fringe of good, and I don't mean on the fringe of very good and good.

I think they're on the fringe of good, and we'll see. Yeah, their defense kind of is so injured, and I'm not sure what to make out of them. Even before they were this injured, they were kind of mid-ling. They only gave up 10 points tonight. They gave up 10 points to an offense totally in search of itself. Are the Steelers good? No, no.

No, we're not there yet. Are the Titans good? Come on. Yeah, we've totally skipped over it. Well, I think it's unanimously would. we would put them in the good category, not maybe much higher than that. Yeah, good is such a low bar.

I don't know. They're pretty good. Yeah, they're pretty good. Greg, yes. I want to clean up some housekeeping from earlier, and I'm sure Mark's really glad that he's just getting the full blast of this. But just, you know, since we mentioned that the Rainmaker did miss the game in Cincinnati, I do want to mention not only did the Seahawks cover that game,

But I hope you took the money line there, 3723. They won that thing straight up. So the Rainmaker went one-in-one, three-and-one on the season. I'm going to take that. We just had to, you know, mention that. Do you feel any responsibility for, that's nice for the people that took your advice on the Seahawks here? But, like, the other match-up that you totally, you know, you made a major issue there. One-and-one is fine, and the Seahawks covered.

They won by so much that it was like an easy walk-at-the-bark. But no, I don't like it. You cost families. money in both Europe and America. That is not what we do here. That is against NFL policy. And I don't want to hear from the listeners, and now they'll do it more, who like send me like, oh, that they're following the rainmaker.

That's going to make the rainmaker come out less. You know, I don't want to deal with that. Okay. All right. I don't want to deal with any more football talk today, but I can't wait to talk about Monday night football. We've got the recap coming. I got a special guest for that.

Bill Barnwell is coming on. Talk a little Patriots, Bears. And then we'll be back with the regular show on Tuesday. And on we go. Look at that. Grave-Digger. For Dan Hansis, our host, carried us through, playing hurt. Mark Sessler, Justin Graver.

See you, too. See you Monday night. He'd the call. We're going to be able to be. This is an I-Heart podcast.