NFL Daily with Gregg Rosenthal - 2022 Week 9 Recap: Football is FUN

Episode Date: November 7, 2022

A room filled with some heroes - Dan Hanzus, Marc Sessler, and Gregg Rosenthal recap all the Week 9 action, starting with Bills-Jets (3:06), followed by Packers-Lions (14:45). Then, we welcome in Nick Shook to cover Vikings-Commanders (24:16). From there, we hit Dolphins-Bears (33:43), Chargers-Falcons (42:24), Raiders-Jaguars (49:45), Colts-Patriots (56:07), Panthers-Bengals (1:04:23), Seahawks-Cardinals (1:10:13), and Rams-Buccaneers (1:19:49) before finishing off with Titans-Chiefs on Sunday night (1:31:16). Note: timecodes approximate.NFL Daily YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nflpodcastsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

It's everything you need to understand the why behind what happens on Sunday. Don't miss it. Listen to the Move the Sticks podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. The Around the NFL podcast has never covered a Jets playoff game. Not yet, baby. From the Chris Wessling podcast studio. It's Around the NFL. I'm Dan Hansis. Got heroes here. Greg Rosenthal. Mark Sess. Football, man.

How lucky are we? What a great job this is. What a great sport this is. The product that the league puts out there is unbelievable. And I just, I just pinch myself because this is just such a great time to be alive doing what we do. And that goes for all the, all the listeners and viewers of football, which is just great. Love football. I back what you're saying, each of the bullet points that you just verbalized, I agree with.

I do think that your spirit and your mood. Yes. It's not a butt. It's just more of a, I do believe that your spirit and mood has been elevated and lifted by specific events today as characterized by the word on your sweatshirt. Hmm. I didn't think of that until you said that, but perhaps. Perhaps that's why I love sports so much and why football is such a fun sport.

Although, you know, I know the Jets, one of the best wins, maybe the best win of the ATN area. It's up there. But I would like to think, you know, you are loyal to football too. I'm not the only one. And the week nine slate in the early window. And then even Tom Brady there at the end in the late window delivered so much as a whole. But I think Dan would have a little bounce in his step no matter what. Greg, let's say the Jets had been, like, heavily and mercilessly waxed by Buffalo.

We're not getting that opening speech. And I'm glad we're getting it, and I'm glad it happened for you. I listen. A lot of people thought the Jets would be destroyed on Sunday. Maybe the man across from me, Mark Sessler, hinted at it repeatedly heading into Sunday. What I said was that a 24 to 20 loss would be a win for them. You can't give us that no one believed at us when you didn't believe it. All I can tell you is that this is an amazing sport football.

And I'm happy to be here with you guys, my friends. I'm with you. I agree. It's more statements I agree with. So why don't we, you know what? Yeah, why don't we? Why don't we start with the game that was played in Northern New Jersey today? Because there's been a lot of good football.

You're making me uncomfortable. This version of Dan, I don't know who he is. Where else would we start? Neither do I. I don't know what's happening. Let's go check it out the Jets and the Bills. The Jets lead by three, fourth and 21. As Alan drops back to throw at his own five-yard loss,

scrambling to his left, buying time, looking downfield. He leaves a bomb for Davis. Sauce Gardner's there. And it's knocked away. Sauce Gardner, in position on Gabe Davis, knocks it away. And the Jets are going to take a knee. and win it here at MetLife Stadium.

Tung. Bob was choosing with the call, W.E.P.N. The baby jets. They're all groans up, and they're all growns up, and they're all growns up. Josh Allen dared to challenge Sauce Gardner with the game on the line. Zach Wilson threw a touchdown pass and played smart and efficient football. And Greg the leg, Zerline, kick the go-head, 28-yard field goal with 1.43 to play.

It was the clinching points of a 20 to 17 win over the Buffalo Bills, widely believed to be the best team in football entering this Sunday. and Mark, so many things from a Jets standpoint went right in this game. They played their best, most complete game against their toughest opponent and have a season-changing win as a result. And, yeah, it feels good right now to be a Jets fan. It really does. I mean, if you go back to when the Jets were a factor way back when,

with Derell Revis, with that elite defense, you're seeing the DNA strands. of an elite defense here. And the one thing we did talk about on Thursday, I wasn't being negative about the Jets. I said, you need your young players, your young heroes like Sauce Gardner to show up and you need to cause chaos for Buffalo.

And Buffalo is going to need to be coaxed into some uncharacteristic meltdowns and mistakes. All of that happened. I also just said, I'm not sure I believe in this team based on where they are at quarterback. They played around that today and they did everything they needed to do. And it is a legit jet's win

that makes them a legit competitor and contestant in the AFC. This is not a fluke. There are really things happening with this Jets team under Robert Sala that suggest that they are growing quickly. The defense has been here pretty much all season. I knew they would show up in this game.

And that's what made last week against the Patriots so disappointing because they showed up that week too. But the quarterback didn't show up in the second half. So the fact that Wilson was able to correct a lot of the mistakes that define the loss to New England, that's all they really, he needs to. do like his job Zach Wilson is to be

competent hit the throws when they come available maybe mix in a big play and don't kill them with turnovers because their defense Greg is now hitting a level and remember this was a historically bad defense when Salah took over just last year is at a level now where they could shut down any

opponent including Josh Allen and the bills it's crazy that throw Josh Allen made you must have been sweating out because it felt like that that Tecmo Bowl play where there's a glitch and the ball just keeps going and going and going forever. Not bad with a bad elbow. Just with my eyes, it looked like about 70, you know, about 70 plus air yards, which is insane.

But then so fitting that it's Gardner there at the end. I said that was the matchup I was looking forward to. You can tell me more about it. Jets' defense versus Bill's offense, the fact that Allen ends with two interceptions, only 205 yards rushing, I mean passing on 34 attempts, is major. and this is a running in defense year. Most years, you would think that they can't stick around to the end because you need the passing game.

But this is more of a running and defense year, and we're seeing teams like the Jets survive week to week and thrive. Yeah, they have a great secondary, led by Sauce, of course, who to me is the defensive rookie of the year. DJ Reed is the guy that kind of has been under the radar as another guy that's playing at a Pro Bowl level. So when you have that, going back to those teams you're talking about, Mark. When the Jets had Revis and Antonio Cromarty, that could change, flip the field for them

and limit what any team could do. This is their strength, their defense. And their offense has been up and down to quarterback. It's been impacted by injuries, but the defense has been here all year long. Josh Allen. And they ran for 174 yards. That's the thing. Yes. And they didn't have a great running day until it mattered because they took over with about seven minutes to play, about eight minutes to play. They got the ball at their own four game tied at 17. They were down by 11, I believe, at one point, the Jets. And they went all the way inside the Bill's red zone on eight straight running plays. And then when the clock got to a point where they needed to throw the ball, they didn't have to, but they said, we're going to, on third down, we're going

to ask Zach to do something. He found, of all people, Denzel Mims for a huge first down that not only allowed them to get into chip shot range, even though that drive stalled and ended with the field goal. It put Josh Allen in a situation where he had no timeouts and no margin for error. So when they get a holding call and then a crushing sack fumble, it essentially puts the game away. So the running game showing up with Breeze Hall gone was huge. And Josh Allen struggles, you know, he was a little sloppy with a ball the previous week, as we know. Four interceptions and two starts. And in this game, the interceptions were. bad. They were poor decisions. One was inside the Jets red zone very early in the game after a long

digs completion. And in general, he just did not look comfortable. I talked about the stat that his numbers really fall off. You could probably say this about a lot of quarterbacks with their number one receiver. But if you could neutralize digs, which the Jets largely did, other than the first big completion on the first play from scrimmage, you can get the bills in a little bit more of a vulnerable position. And that's what happened because Diggs was mostly silent after that first big play

and they didn't have someone else they could turn to. And it stands out because who's made the Bills uncomfortable this season? Essentially no one other than that. A couple moments here and there. I mean, it was two bad picks by Allen. And I mean, week after week, the Jets defense is doing this.

And it's your kryptonite in the AFC. If you can do this to Buffalo, you can beat anyone. Well, they gave them a taste of the Bills medicine. I saw a stat that they only blitzed Alan twice. That's the fewest he's been blitzed this season, certainly, or the second least he's ever been blitzed in his career. And he lost that game too.

They don't need to. They got tons of pressure. They got sacks. He got loose for some running plays in this game. But the fact that they can do what the bills do on defense, which is not blitz and create a lot of pressure, I mean, that's kind of the skeleton key here. And Alan will give you a chance.

Like there's this idea that, oh, he's been a little sloppy last couple weeks. After this week, he might lead the league in turnover-worthy plays. He still has that gene in him where he'll give you a chance a couple times a game, and he more than makes up for it. He'll be number two in my MVP race. But he'll give you a chance a couple times. And when you're a great defense like the Jets, you take advantage. If you look at the Jets last five weeks, the amount of yards they've given up through the air,

178, 158, 218, 218, and then what happened today? where, you know, if you look at the Diggs' box score, he almost had 100 yards, but they largely shut him down in the second half. And so much has to do that has to do with their defensive backfield. Yeah, it was just a great, great performance all around. They were down to four at the half, and I tweeted about at the time, like you felt like the whole team had showed up. A lot of Bills fans traveled and were in the MetLife Stadium.

But the Jets crowd was a good one as well. It was a really good vibe. And, yeah, they go into their buy week on this. So it's a great time to hit your buy and try to get it. a little more healthy, and then you come out and you get a rematch against the Patriots. And egged on by their reporters, they were already talking up that game. Like, oh, we can't wait. We can't wait.

We shall see. But it is a... He's definitely hit the wayroom, plus beefy. He does. And I'm excited to see... I'm curiously your guy's reaction when you watch Zach Wilson, because I thought you could definitely see him learn from some things that happened last week. even the last, his last play from scrimmage,

it was kind of a broken play. And you could see him being very wise about, I am not going to lose this game after this amazing drive on a fumble here getting taken down. You can tell you he's just playing smarter. Encouraging. Encourging all the way around. But the bills are 0 and 2 in the division,

and now they have two losses, which ties the chiefs. I know it's a long season, but it just opens up this AFC East a little bit in a way that you wouldn't have thought. The Jets are a half game out of the AFC East lead with the tiebreaker right now in the bills. How about that? But you don't want to hear anything more from me.

You want to hear from a different member of the Hansel's family. His name is Keith. He's dad's dad. No doubt about it. He's a big Jets fan. What is he going to say about the game today? What is he going to say about the game today? What a great win for the Jets?

2017 beating the Buffalo Bills. Now, was that an exciting game? I thought it was a tremendous comeback the way they hung in there with them, and they stopped Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills. And six and three, if you would have told anybody, they'd be six and three after nine games, going into Dubai, and then they're going to play New England again.

Let's see what they can do. Go Jets, Jets, Jets, Jets. Wow. A little perspiration on Keith's shirt. He was sweating it out with the rest of us. I mean, he's been waiting forever. It's been a long time. It has to feel, is there an element of it being entirely surreal?

Like, are you catching up to what's happening in a real time? There is a surreal vibe around the fan base right now because it really doesn't, like this didn't feel. So there's no more doom and gloom. If they have a bad loss, let's say, against the Patriots coming out of the buy, you're not going to give up hope again. Think where you were a fortnight ago. I can, as a fan, there are highs and lows. That's just part of the experience. But right now, that was very low then.

Very high now. You know what else? We're always getting banged by the listeners for talking about the Jets too much. And look at, I think there's times where that's a relevant comment. Well, not this time, so shut up. That's, yeah.

I mean, I like the listener. So I'm sort of saying that to anyone that wants to create a rabble rouse this week. You just don't do it this week. Thank you, Mark. All right. Well, thank you everybody for listening. We'll be back on Tuesday with another episode.

Oh, there's more. I'm just playing. I'm playing bad cop for you. I know when you came into the office today, you were like, how about that, Gregie? And for a second, I was like, of course you were talking about the Jets, but I wasn't sure what you were talking about. Because there has been other football.

To that point, like, it doesn't matter what I say to you. Almost always when I say something to Greg, his first thing is like, what? And then I have to clarify to Greg. I have a thing. It's just a little fog. There's a fog around Greg. I watch it what's in front of me, and then, like, it takes a second and I have to register. I wonder where that haze is coming from.

It's just a smoky haze sometimes. All right, there was more football. In fact, let's go through all of these early games. because we had, I think, five games decided by a field goal. So let's head to another one in Detroit. Roger's back. He's got it looking, looking, pressure, throws it up for grabs in the end. Incomplete.

Incomplete. Ball game over. Boys, let's get out of here. Four game losing streak over, and man, did this team need that? This football is great. Great. What a sport. Well, now they've won me over.

Dan Miller with a call, WXYT. The Detroit Lions became the latest defense to shut down Aaron Rogers and the Packers, getting the big stop on fourth down in the final minute to seal a 15 to 9 win. That, yes, as you heard from Dan Miller, finally the Lions get that second down. and the Green Bay Packers for I believe the first time in the Aaron Rogers era when he's the quarterback have lost five straight games and this was another one guys this is another game for my draft nice draft by Azusa on a big spot another game where the plays were there it was there for the Packers to do what every other team has done against the Lions which is hang 400 plus total yards and 27 to 35 points or whatever but just failure to execute over and over and for a guy that went on a major radio podcast show

recently and publicly said that members of his team his teammates need to be losing playing time and having their reps cut to then go to Ford Field and play the game that Aaron Rogers played where he threw two end zone interceptions, bad ones. He threw another ball, a deep pass that would have been a touchdown if he just puts the right throw out there. He underthrows. I don't remember if it was Lazard, I believe, or maybe it was. I'm not sure who it was actually. But he underthrows that receiver all throughout the game. He's missing throws. And it's not only Aaron Rogers is not the only reason they lose this game. And credit is due to the Lions. And my boy, Aaron Glenn, their defensive coordinator, who's been under fire, obviously. with the rest of that coaching staff. But seeing Rogers leaving yards and points on the field every week is stunning.

Seeing it against a Detroit defense that's been historically inept is a whole other level to this. A Detroit defense that had two interceptions all year that couldn't stop anyone through the air or on the ground and have Aaron Rogers end the game with four incompletions. And to have him still show this frustration that seems to be beamed out and aimed at everyone but himself, I just, I find the whole situation very problematic. They've got the Cowboys, Titans, and Eagles up next. And no humble brag, but I said on Thursday, I'm not sure they get to seven wins. And like, seven wins would be a nice finish to their season.

Well, you can't humble brag about your lack of belief in the team of ATN. This is why you never give up on the team of ATN. I never doubted them. They're on a one game winning streak. This was their Super Bowl. I didn't give up on them. I just, I didn't, I wasn't enjoying the experience. They got the same, uh, nor was I.

Same losses. You know, same loss column. When they bleed, we bleed. Havilloo Blue. That's right. They got the, you know, great defensive game for the Lions, you know, in terms of being opportunistic and everything. But essentially, they also had their worst offensive game of the year. Like the Packers' defense did as much as they've done all year, giving up only 254 yards.

They were put in a bad position by their offense all game. And it still didn't matter, which is, it's just. shocking, like the post-game quotes from Rogers. You want to hear Rogers? Yeah, let's hear it. Here's Rogers talking about, you know, what's gone wrong. Well, I mean, I played a bit. I never gave up.

Obviously, I don't want to lead us in rushing. But I knew I was going to have to make some plays in my legs. And that's really the moving forward. I'm going to have to keep doing things like that. I feel like we never gave up. I mean, we moved the ball well in the first half. And I threw a couple picks in the end zone. Took points off the board.

So that obviously came back to hurt us down the stretch. Look, I know they didn't run the ball great when they did try today. Aaron Jones got banged up and I think they had 59 yards between Dylan and Jones. But the comment that mattered more to me than that post game one was one that Aaron Rogers made to Aaron Andrews during the week, who he has a pretty close relationship with. And he's told her, I want to go down swinging instead of last week where they were really focusing on the run and people were trying to give them kudos for running the ball. He's like, if I'm going to go down, I want to go down swinging.

And he's talking about throwing the ball deep down the field. And they tried it today. It didn't work. It did not work. And, you know, for the Lions, I thought, you know, there's still a team with a lot of problems. I don't think this is, we're going to see them making a charge here necessarily. But at the same time, it has to be a total relief for everyone in that building. And on this show, it's become a sad tradition of the team of ATN to hear Dan Campbell be sad in his post-game press conference.

So let's hear Dan Campbell be happy for us. Oh, at last. Listen, of course it feels good. I'll be honestly, I'm exhausted. So, like, I just, you know, I want to go home, put the feet up, drink a beer. And, you know. I love it. I get it.

I'm not giving up on them. They got the bears. I'm saying we. They got the Bears and the Giants next. Win those two games to get to four and six. know that's tough two road games but it's possible and then you at least get to Thanksgiving against the bills why'd they give them the bills on Thanksgiving at you know what's a amount anybody could take down the bills they're playing the bills on Thanksgiving that is why

they do that to these teams that is tough you're doing I mean I get you what you can't have them playing a dud because then it's an unwatchable game but um it's true that's absurd uh yes so the lines approved to two and six two and three at home and I worry that Justin field might have a thousand total yards against the lines. But maybe this is a defense that will start to get some momentum off this. Aidan Hutchinson had his first interception of

any kind. I believe there was a quote after the game. He never even had one in high school or Pop Warner or anything else. So a nice win. And for the Packers, this was, we talked about it on the Thursday show also like, man, you don't go into Ford Field and hang a bunch of points on the Lions and get healthy.

You have a major problem. The Packers have a major problem. them. Some of it is directly tied to the quarterback who was pointing fingers in other directions. That was your acid test. You failed. Your season. If I had a fork on me, I would fork them right now. I don't need to spend another week or two hanging around wondering because I don't even care if they go on a hot streak. I don't buy them as anything more than a trash barge floating down the dark river. I mean, you've been waiting for this for seven years and then you picked against them against the commanders. You picked them as you're locked three weeks ago.

And, yeah, you said you were done. And honestly, I almost, well, I couldn't, I don't know if I could lock this. I think I tried to lock them again this time. I was going to turn around and do that. And it was like, I'm glad I would have driven home. All right. You're right with right. His deep balls aren't getting there all the time.

And this was an indoor game. It's a little intro. But you know, he's 40 years old. He's not 40. He's 40, isn't he? Am I crazy? How many interceptions did you have a year ago? He's turning 39.

He turned 39 in one month. But the weird thing is, and we've got to move on, but the weird thing about watching Rogers in this game, he still moves really well. He'll spin, he'll throw some beautiful, he'll make some beautiful throws. That's Aaron Rogers. But then he misses so many throws this year.

It's just been a different guy. There will not be three straight MVPs for number 12. He was as many hundred picks as he did all last year. Let's take a break, and we will welcome in our buddy, Shook. Hey, this is Matt Jones. I'm Drew Franklin. And this is NFL Cover Zero. We're just here to try to give you an NFL perspective a little bit different.

Did you see the Colts Pretzel? That was my other big takeaway from that game. What was that? Oh, my. We think NFL coverage should be informative and entertaining. And twice a week, that is exactly what you're going to get. Listen to NFL Cover Zero with Matt Jones and Drew Franklin on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your.

your podcast. Toyota, the official automotive partner of the NFL. Visit Toyota.com slash NFL now to learn more. 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. a conversation that connects the dots from college football prospects to the NFL stars of tomorrow. We break down the draft, analyze matchups, and evaluate how teams put it all

together on game day. Plus, we dig in the coaching strategies, roster construction, and the trends that shape the league year after year. Whether you're a diehard fan or just love understanding the game on a deeper level, we give you the full picture. If you want insight that goes beyond the box score,

this podcast is for you. Don't miss it. Listen to the Move the Six podcast, on the iHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome back. Before we bring in Shuki for a one game cameo this week, did you see Fox trying to pump up the Cowboys Packers game? Don't get me started on this.

Greg and I were talking about this all this. Rivalry renewed? Yeah, I just like... Hook? I guess if you're like the most... What is I'm going to be the most super cash fan to not get that one of these teams is like totally spinning down the drain.

rivalry renewed, and they're, like, showing shots of Dak caught it. It's like, what am I missing? Why is this now renewed? It's, there was zero irony to the commercial. I mean, one of the teams was great in the 60s, the 1960s, and then one was great in the 1970s. Right. And they've been great at various points since.

They did some 90s, 90s, but they're suggesting, by saying that now it is a rivalry renewed, they're suggesting that the recent years, like during the run of this podcast, they haven't been rivals or it hasn't been a big deal, but now it is where the Packers are one of the worst teams in the NFC. They pushed it hard. They should have just had a big picture of Mike McCarthy and say Zaddy's going to get his revenge. How about that?

That's a better ad campaign. Let's check in with the future Zaddy as we get to our next game. Oh, don't put that on him. Stop it. Come on, Greg. Here we go. Yeah, come on, Greg is right. The kick is up.

27 yards. The kick is up. And God! G money! Frank Joseph has kicked the Minnesota Vikings to a 2017 lead. So you have to understand the history of the Minnesota Vikings to understand why on a chip shot field goal, Paul Allen, who's called every miserable field goal moment in Vikings history,

how nervous he sounds there. Come on, Greg. We need you here. Yeah. Anyway, KFAN there. Kirk Cousins leads another comeback victory. And everyone likes it. 20 to 17.

Well, the commanders don't. But that's the way it is for the commanders, whose winning streak is over. We now welcome in Nick Shook, future Zaddy, in my opinion. Shooki, you know, the Vikings are really difficult to figure out. out. I feel like we're going to have this conversation again because in this game, they're the better team. They're a superior team of the better roster. And yet they're sweating out a game against Washington in which they were trailing by double digits, I believe, at one point.

Yeah, double digits in the fourth quarter. And it looked like Washington was about one more play from pulling away. And they just did barely enough and got enough little mistakes by Washington to stay in the game. A couple long passes to Justin Jefferson, one early on the first touchdown drive, another to keep that drive alive that led to a field goal that made it a one score game and they get the timely interception and that's basically how they got back in the game

but you know as I wrote in the what we learned they had a great opening drive they got on score touchdown everything is looking good and then they just fell asleep yes thank you I try to get the plug in Greg well what we learned is an underrated column on nfl.com really summarizing everything in succinct manner every week

it's right it's the top article in the news stack on nfl.com and shook everyone should know this shouldn't be a surprise but shook is the lead writer whether that's official or not he is the lead writer he gets to choose which games to watch uh and they it runs and breathes a valuable employee to say the least well first off i feel like i'm listening to a wikipedia readout of what we're actually is secondly you guys know i pick my games to fit the podcast so it all right don't try to ruin the mirage this is hollywood no i'm bringing it back down this is show business see Let me just throw to this because this was fun. Kurt Cousins, who again was on a team that played in Minnesota called the Vikings last year that blew every game that they're now winning and it's leading to the rebirth. You want to talk about something renewed. You like that is renewed.

Let's check this out. You liked it on three. One, two, three. You like that. Shook, do you think that the team, it seems like they kind of like that? Kirk. It's kind of like a nice little vibe there. They like him enough that they put all of their chains around his neck, which had to be about 50 pounds. He's shirtless on the plane. That video is great. Dancing in the aisle in the plane. With him wearing all of their jewelry because we know it's not

his jewelry. We know he's not wearing a chain to the stadium. My personal opinion on you like that, it's played out. It was a Washington thing. Fans in Washington. But they were in Washington. I think that's why he did it here. This was a little extra. Yeah, they started mocking him. Fans were doing it. You like that chant in the stadium when they were up by 10 points. So, of course, he gets the last laugh. But far from a perfect performance for him, for sure.

I hear you. But the play, if you're watching on YouTube that we happen to be looking at right now, third and seven, 12 minutes and 30 seconds left in the game. They're down 10. They don't pick up that first down. They might not win. And Kirk uncorks a beauty. Here's the thing about Kirk, Cousins.

He's a beautiful throw. of the football, what he's protected. And actually that play, he wasn't protected. He did it under pressure. But he isn't playing any better this year. I don't think that he normally plays. But that was a big time throw in a big moment and helped start the comeback.

And to... It was a big time throw in a moment in which right before he had thrown an interception that was brought back by defensive pass interference on Benjamin St. Jude, which is clear. Don't ruin the Hollywood story here that we're trying to spin. I do.

There is something... I got to bring it back down there. There is something about the offense that I can never trust. You alluded to it, but they went 78 yards on nine plays, and then they go six punts in an interception. It's like, what happens, Mark, when the competition gets better and they go into these funks? And then you're putting a lot of stress on your defense to keep you in the game.

I just, I don't know if Minnesota's truly been tested yet, but credit to them for piling up wins. I got a text from a Vikings fan who's been listening to this show since day one, and he was like, I don't want to hear any nonsense about the Vikings' offense going to sleep like they normally do because we're 7 to 1 and deal with it. So they are survivors. They've survived in a way they didn't last year through some of their darker moments. I want to ask you one question, though, Shook.

There was a play here where Curtis Samuel had a touchdown. Some of your friend. Just tell them to chill. It's our job. You guys met him at the Minnesota Super Bowl. He loves you guys. Great guy. He's a great guy.

But it's our job. We have to. You know what? Let the Vikings have a little bit of edge right now. There's five win losses up on the Packers right now. They're going to win that decision. And they have to play at Buffalo next week. So enjoy this week while you can.

because you're getting angry bills. You're getting angry bills. You're getting angry bills, but you know what? That's a great, great test for the Vikings. That's perfect. You have to show what you're made of against a top opponent. That's nice, Shuggy. Shook, I want to ask you quick question,

because there is a kind of play in here that I want to go review. It sounds delicious to me where a ref knocked down, a defensive back on that Curtis Samuel touchdown. Love these things. Yes. Yes. So it's like a ball into triple coverage. It's just like a desperation heave.

It's kind of on target. a DB is going back. It's Cam Bynum. He's in perfect position to pick it off. And he collides with the ref. And the replay is fantastic from one angle where you see the ref stiff as a board falling. And as he's falling, he's still keeping his eyes on the play, not protecting or bracing himself whatsoever. My fiancee was sitting here. And I looked at it. Hey, look at this replay. Look how this ref falls as if he's falling into a coffin. It was majestic. We needed that ref fainting this week. It would have been a week late, but that almost would have pulled it off. And just another plug of the what we learned on NFL.com.

I love the little next-gen stat of the game. Harrison Smith had a huge interception, which improved Minnesota's win probability by 22.9% from 14.7 to 37.6. That's what it's about. Watch out there. That's exactly what it's about. I look at a, I look at. Greg, what happened with your laptop?

Suddenly, like an anthem coming off of Greg's laptop in the middle of the show. Here's the thing. Trying to do a show, Greg. It would have been light on the podcast, but now you're, you know, making it into a whole meal. Because it came on and both Mark and I looked at you, and you just stayed frozen. I had no idea was coming from my computer, clearly. It was coming from an advertisement. No one will ever hear any of this.

You know what's not going to get an advertisement this week? We have some developing news here from after this game. Hmm. I'm wrong. Taylor Heineke, he's not buying any Nike's this week. They're Air Jordans in purple and yellow. I don't know. I'm colorblind.

Not getting purchased. Sorry, Heineke, that interception. That beat. You know that that's the colors of the Vikings, though, right? I mean, yeah. You mean, um, yeah? That purple and yellow are their colors? You're just, you're not sure?

Gold. I mean, I'm looking at it. Sometimes they have little subtle, you know, gradations of these things. Tough stitch for Greg. purple certainly Shook anything else to add on this particular game I can confirm that the Vikings are purple and gold I thought for a second there that

Taylor Heineke had basically secured the job no matter whether Carson Wentz was healthy or not because this team plays with more energy with him they just look like they want to be out there when he's on the field he earns that with his play Oh come on that but that they're like one of their two touchdowns should have been an interception that the official you know knocked over the players he even said after the game

that guy deserves a game ball. I could not have stood. You said like the Vikings are a little bit of a soft 7-1. If Washington had somehow won that game with that being a key play, it would have been the worst four-game winning streak in the history of the NFL. I've never seen a team get luckier than the commanders have the last three weeks to win those three games.

That said, I didn't need it anymore. They're so much more watchable with Heineke in my opinion than Wentz. So I don't really care about what the team's doing. Oh, who locked it up? Because of what Greg just said about the luckiest four-game winning streak, I locked up the Vikings successfully. Thank you very much. Great job, Justin.

Good job, buddy. All right. Another good employee. Hey, just one and done. I hit it and quit it appearance this week, Shooky, but you nailed it as usual. No, one more plug. NFL.com slash underdogs where I took the lions over the Packers. Look at that.

Well done. Way to go. Way to go. Nick Shook. Ladies and gentlemen, let's head to Soldier Field next. Another field goal game. empty backfield feels back to throw getting fresh he's going to run with it gets off and it's complete off the way by x-man he wanted st brown and x-man got his hand in there and the dolphins

will escape Chicago miraculously well the defense man struggled most this day but they came up big late in this game jimmy wow jimmy sepalo and joe rose the call wqaam everybody knows X-Man is former NBA power forward Xavier McDaniel. Yeah. Let's not go transferring the nickname. Teammates with the glove back in the day. Very good. Mark.

What? Well, it's a different sport. I watched a ton of NBA back in the day during that day, that time period, that era. Very nice. Not so much now. What do you think about the Seattle Sonics now? I wish they still existed. Football.

Do you think that you think? that I am, like, you think I would not know that that team did not exist? I don't tend to, and this is in no way a takedown. I don't see you really as a sports fan as much as you are a fan of football and the Browns. So I didn't know whether you were totally plugged in on the move to Oklahoma City, for instance. It's a fair question. To a Tungovoa threw for three touchdowns. Tyree Kill had 100.

You know, he's going to have over 2,000 receiving yards if he stays healthy. 143 more for Tyreek, and the Dolphins somehow held off Justin Fields, who's all of a sudden saying, hey, I'm not just making the leap in year two. I'm heading toward the superstar club, but it wasn't enough to beat the Dolphins and their high-flying attack. Final score, 35 to 32, let's welcome back, Rave Digger, who helped us out with this game. Justin, it feels like now it is to be assumed that,

Tua is going to throw for 303 touchdowns, no matter the opponent. Tua looks really good in this offense, and he's hitting guys over the middle of the field. Tyree Kills said after the game that he's the most accurate quarterback in the NFL, again, doubling down on his preseason comments. But I don't know if Tua's playing really well or if he's played two bad defenses in a row because the Bears' defense could not get a stop in this game. But neither could the Dolphins defense. This was a real track meet of a game, and not just because Justin Fields literally sprinted 61 yards to the end. zone but like just up and down the field both teams piling on yards and it came down to those key stops i mean the blocked punt was the difference in this game really when was that what's the story

that was in the first half it put the dolphins up 21 to 10 but it was like their only stop the dolphins only stop of the first half and it led to immediate seven points which was obviously crucial and put the bears in a hole that they continue to like claw their way back and make it a close game but Every time they got close, the dolphins would go ahead again. It's two straight weeks. Yeah. And I hear you, and I was thinking the same thing because, you know, the receivers are so open for Tua. And the Bears' defense seemed to have phoned it in the last couple of weeks after trading away two of their best players.

Eddie Jackson, who's been there forever, said out loud this week. It makes me wonder if I should start, you know, trying, like, why are we even trying here when you're training away our best players? Like we predicted on Thursday, that this is going to cause havoc inside that lock? But how many offenses in 2022 can just put 30 on the regular on bad defenses? There's like four, maybe, and Miami's one of them. Especially this year. So there is no such thing to me as like you're beating up on a bad defense because no other offenses essentially are doing that.

That's kind of like, yeah, what my point was, I think this is just going to be, and you got to give a ton of credit to Mike McDaniel, who obviously has a scheme that he's connecting with the players, it works. Antua, who is a guy that is a huge figure of suspicion and doubt. I believe I have a sandwich prop about him not making it through the season as a starter. I was not alone in those doubts, but he is coming up and delivering. And he's just a really good fit for the offense, which is ironic because I remember when I remember I was in Disneyland with my kids and my parents when the Tyreek trade went down. And the initial take was, I don't know if it's a great fit with this quarterback and blah, blah, blah.

He is a perfect guy for this offense because the receivers get so open and he puts it on the money and lets them do the work. But let's talk a little Justin Fields. I mean, this is unbelievable. He ran for 178 yards in this game. That is the most ever by a quarterback. Whoa. And Mark, we're seeing this now. This is the guy that, you know, when they moved up to take him in the draft, this is the guy that they hope they were getting.

And it's a huge development in this season. I know Bears fans want to be winning these games, and it's almost impossible with their defense. But this has to be the most encouraging development for Chicago fans in a decade plus, if not two decades, three decades. They haven't had a quarterback for so long. They made that NFC championship game. Don't take that away from Jay Cutler.

But for the exact reason that you kind of knew you didn't have the guy that was going to take you all the way. I don't know what's going on with Justin Fields in the future. But when I look at Luke Etsy, to me, and what they do, because, you know, It's a defensive head coach, Matt Iberfluse. Etsy's running the show there. And it reminds me, it gives me shades of what the Eagles did last year with Jalen Hertz. When it's like, let's tailor this around our quarterback, let's become run heavy, and get it any way we can. And if Justin Fields between now and next season, the same way Allah Hertz did, grows even more as a passer,

you're looking at, I think, right now, the second best running quarterback in the league behind Lamar Jackson. And maybe the best. Justin Fields was unstoppable with his legs today. I think there was only one third down he tried to take off with his legs that he didn't convert. And the Bears converted 10 third downs on 16 attempts today, which is, I mean, just incredible. They really couldn't stop him when he ran the ball. And he actually made two plays on the final drive that could have been, like, at least leading to a game-tying field goal or a game-winning touchdown. The first one, a little controversial, targeting Claypool, could have been called for pass interference.

Could have not. That should have. Should have. Especially with the way this game was officiated. the first drive for each team, they got some semi-week pass interference calls downfield. So, like, that one definitely should have been a pass interference. And then we saw the highlight of the last play, which the announcers gave Xavier and Howard credit for getting his hand in there. But that was a drop by Equanimius St. Brown that Justin Fields made the right throw on the money and the receiver did not catch the ball and then they lose the game.

That was not a stop. Right. And, you know, there's a little concern. It's not like their traditional passing game for Fields worked. They had 123 yards on 28 attempts. But if I'm the Dolphins, I'm getting a little concerned about the defense. I think one of the reasons they gave up a first-round pick for Bradley Chubb is they've been a really disappointing defense this year.

They've been, I would say, one of the more disappointing defense in the year. It's been totally papered over by the offense, but they're not expecting to be a bottom 10 defense. Well, it's the same scheme with some of the same coaches. So that's a concern. They haven't been great in third and short. And then just before we move on, it is Luke Getzi. Etsy is the online marketplace where people come together to sell by and collect unique items. Often, like, little trinkets, you know, handmade.

By the way, thanks a lot, Greg. That's a really great way to correct someone you're working with as a teammate for 10 plus years on the show. Just so, you know, Mark, there are serpents everywhere around you because someone got my ear to say, call him out. He doesn't know how to say getsy. Oh, no, he didn't in my ear. And I shut it. I said, you know what, I'm going to let Mark roll here. But there was another snake slithering your way.

But you know, I've written its name many times. I know it's interesting. Make it confirm behind the glass. There was no snake in my ear. I was the snake. I want to clear that. Well, that's clear that. We're not doubting that.

I must clarify, the evil was all my own. If it wasn't a funny online marketplace where you can get like little nice items if you just want to kind of like. Well, I know what Etsy is too, by. You have your mood board, and you're, like, looking to pick out some things. Me and all my friends are jerks. I'll buy you a mood board. All right.

Let's keep moving, gentlemen. Let's head to Aetown. That's Atlanta. And this will be for the game or overtime. Chargers win and a walk-off if it goes through. Snap good. Hold good. Kick is up.

It is good. Cameron Dicker. For the win. Ah, there he is. The erstwhile voice of God of the around the NFL podcast. Really always and forever. Matt Money Smith, KYSR with the call. Cameron, Dicker.

Dicker, the kicker, kicked a game-ending field goal three days after he was signed as a free agent. And that lifted the Chargers over the Falcons, 20 to 17. Dicker also made a 31-yarder with five and a half minutes to play to tie the game. Also, I must say, he went to the same college as Justin Graver, our producer, which apparently is very important to some people. Why do you have to say that?

People like that stuff. I don't know. They do. It is a thing. Greggie, the Chargers found a way here, and despite them being somewhat underwhelming on balance this year, they get into like the halfway of their point, midway point of their season, easy for me to say,

in good shape at 5 and 3. Yeah, they gave the game ball to old Dicker. I think it's the third different kicker that's gotten a game ball. Dicker the kicker? From Staley this season after the game, which only the Chargers could ploff. I learned nothing about either of these teams. It was the most predictable game of the year

in terms of all the strengths you expected, all those storylines, all the narratives throughout the course of the season, on both sides exactly played out. It's a great call. The narratives are very strong with these two particular teams in terms of accuracy. It's like the short passing from Herbert, never going down field. Yep. Absolutely no pass rush for Atlanta.

Yep. Like Atlanta held the ball. Both these teams with these long drives and Atlanta started the game running it really well. Yep. And then, of course, there's a crazy ending that has to involve kickers where something bizarre happens. The Chargers, a little twist on it this time, though, was that as they're going in for the most perfect four-minute drill, of the season. And I always love it

when the team gets it with just over four minutes left and then the announcer explains the four minute drill. And we've watched a lot of football so we've heard that explanation. I'm not saying it's a bad idea, but they explain like,

okay, they want to take all the clock down and that's exactly what they were going to do. Like Eli and 42 is an example. It's a great example. That was a good example. No, it wasn't really right. They needed a touchdown there. The four minute drill is like,

you want to take all the time off and then you want to win it at the end and, you know, you're trying to burn it. We just like bringing that game up. That was good. Yeah, that also was a good game. Another nice drill, Mario Manningham down the sideline there.

But this time, as like the Chargers are bleeding the clock, and when they got the ball back, I was like, oh, the Chargers are winning this game. Because every stop that Atlanta made, and it felt both ways, felt like a miracle in this game. They get inside the 10-yard line. Austin Eckler fumbles it, and the Falcons pick it up and start running down the sidelines.

I want to. It's one of the plays of the year. Herbert to Echler and Echler gets up field gets inside the 20 the ball comes out ball comes out the Falcons have it up the right sideline and that ball comes out again and the charges fall on it at the 43 my goodness with 34 seconds left back-to-back fumbles we got to see if Echler was down cue up the yakety sacks money loves it so Greg I think you tweeted this it was like Chargering versus falconing and no one lived right the take on Graham fumble he shouldn't be blamed for it, the defensive lineman

who picked up the ball, but it was so sad because he wasn't touched. It wasn't like he was tackled. He was just a big man running with the ball and eventually the ball came out. I love when fumble recovery guy fumbles. It's a rarity and it's enjoyable. I feel like it happens a lot actually.

A lot? Like half the time, the guy who picks it up fumbles. Yeah, maybe get a little greedy there. But he wasn't. He was just running. He was just running and the ball came out for no particular reason other than he's not used to it. I mean, if you have, if you've self-scouted yourself enough to know that if I'm running and untouched, I might just drop the ball, then you avoid that, I'd say.

Credit to Herbert, though, who basically had to pull off two game winning drives on the same drive. Like Derwin James said, oh, I knew they were resetting downs because I play Madden, you know, because the ball changed possession. So the chargers then get a first down at the 46. Got to get back in field goal range with only 30 seconds left. And Herbert has like just a seed over the middle to Joshua Palmer. Any game you can survive without Keenan Allen and Mike Williams is a good one.

What are you making a face on the seed? I'm just saying. No, no, no, no. I'm just reading. There's a standalone sentence paragraph in the AP gamer that reads teammates lifted dicker on their shoulders following the game winner.

It's just funny. It's good sentence. Well, it's his name, Dan. I know it's a good sentence. They survived in advance. You know who's funny? Also, Jonathan Vilma, who I like. He's one of the Fox dudes.

And he's a little rough around the edges as a broadcaster, which is one of the reasons I like him. And he'll say things where you'll kind of do like a double take. Oh, you don't usually hear that eminning out of a booth in a professional setting. Let's listen to this after a particularly vicious Cordrell Patterson run. He had two touchdowns in his return, by the way. For Darrell Patterson is a grown man, Kenny. I am so glad I don't play football anymore.

I don't want any part of that. He just ran over a linebacker like that. Jesus Christ. You know what? Every week, Kenny Albert has to ask. ask him, like, are you allowed to say that on television? Because there's been, like, three or four of these moments. I felt that way.

That's a drop, by the way. Yeah, I felt that way. That was, he stole that man's soul. It was Drew Tranquil who had a interception. It was vicious. It was vicious. Oh, man. Your boy, Tyler Algier, by the way, 44-yard run, 99 yards on the ground.

So he's playing really. He's not official. He's a good player. He's a good player. He's not an official guy. Yes, yes, yes. I do feel like, you know, when I pin pointed him and was giggled at by Greg a couple weeks ago that once again another fine

performance by the young player that's why I was meanwhile another week is ticked off the clock in terms of processing so now we're down to like six weeks everything every you know just in time for the wildcard appearance speaking of processing I do want Marcus Mario to to speed things up a little bit here sometimes when he does go back to pass and and make a play in terms of when they're improvising. Did they pass too much in this game, which I didn't think I would say about them, especially in the second half. They were passing too much on second and third downs when they could have just

run the ball. And Mariotta is just not an accurate quarterback at all. And like when he's trying to make a play out of nowhere, they never make a play. Well, it's like Kyle Pitts, seven targets, two catches. And there was one, a couple of deep shots where like Mariotta just was so off target. Everyone is under 500 in the NFC South again, now that. bad division bad bad division everybody is over 500 in the a fc east now by the way great division we'll get to the page exciting division in a little bit uh you know who else thought they had a win today

the raters thought they did it they snapped it quickly he pitches to the right this is et n inside the five hidden in the air zone touchdown a touchdown run by thomas etienne and jacksonville has taken the lead right there is a major candidate in the comeback player of the year race. Travis Aetian, who's becoming a star for the Jaguars. He ran for 109 yards and two touchdowns, just spiting that vicious scorpion woman, Liz Frank. Trevor Lawrence also played very well, bouncing back from some down efforts.

And Jacksonville wins a close game. That's nice. 2720 over the Raiders. However, Gregie, that 2720 doesn't. tell the whole story here. At one point, this thing looked like it was in the bag for the silver and black. Those are their colors, by the way, Greg. No, yeah, it was 17-0-0.

And I wanted to start positive. We will get to positive Jaguars talk, but you led me here. And so I might as well go. 17-0 in the first half of this game. Derek Carr played a perfect first half, essentially. Devante Adams had nine catches, I think, for over 130 yards in the first half alone. Or 146 yards in the first half alone. Throwing to Devante Adams in the second half, Derrick Carr was one for eight.

Oh, no. Throwing overall in the second half, Derrick Carr was six for 16 for 33 yards. They actually got the ball four separate times after that ETN touchdown with a chance to take the lead, and they didn't do it any time. It was really the Jaguars defense that ended up closing this game out. The Jaguar's offense, per usual, kind of didn't quite finish it off, even though they did a much better job overall. You can't kill them when they came back from 17, nothing.

But there's just something about this Raiders team that they've got like a loser's mentality. Well, there's an incredible stat out there. They are 53 and 5 since the year 2000 when they've been leading by 17 or more points in a game. Of those five losses, three of them have come this season under Josh McDaniels. It's even great. It was like this is who they are. They had last three total games up 17 and their last 628 games. and they have three this season.

The Raiders have already given up as many 17-point losses, I mean, leads, as any team in the history of the NFL. They've, like, tied the worst, and they've now got seven games to break that record. Mark Davis is not Al Davis at all. However, I wonder if there's some serious buyers' remorse right now after this.

Just a horrendous season the Raiders are having. And this, remember, rewind back to the end of August, this was not what anyone was expecting. In fact, there were some people that thought that they could win the AFC West or at least give the Chiefs a real run for their money. So for them to be buried now at 2 and 6 and almost dead before we even sniff Thanksgiving is stunning. Let's hear Derek Carr, by the way, who was biting his tongue to say the least

when asked about what has gone wrong with this team. It's the third time we've got a 17-point league this year. Any similar sense or similar feeling that you can look back on? You know, I think there's a lot I want to say, you know. But if I'm honest, I don't need to say it here, you know. You know, and there's things that will be said. There are things that need to be addressed in all those things. But I think for as a whole, the urgency part of it that after 30 minutes of football,

We have to learn that the game is not over. Here's a thing, though. He was right there. What's the accent? It's like this weird. Sort of a stew of accents. Twang that, like, gets more dominant as he continues speaking. Well, Fresno, maybe there's, like, an accent in Fresno,

and then he went to... I think he lived in Texas for a big chunk of his life. Sounds like Jerry Jones' brother Cletus, who never left Oklahoma. I love that quarterback. I'm glad we heard that because, you know, I think he has to be self-reflective because the comeback started in the first half when Carr had an open Amir Abdullah for a touchdown and totally under threw it and that led to three points instead of seven. And Carr missed a ton of throws in the second half. There were some miscommunications, but the game ended with him not giving Devante Adams a chance to make a catch on the back shoulder throw. and then he's too hot for Hunter Renfro throwing it like really hot

and too hard and high on fourth down and that's how the game ended. Like it was a rough second half. But I give the Jaguars credit who sent a lot of blitzes his way, who did create a lot of pressure. I've been getting on their defense and their defense had a nice day. And Lawrence had, I think we've said this a few times this year, but I really do think this was the best game of his career. It couldn't have been any cleaner.

Like next gen stats. had it as the highest success rate for drop back passing since Mahomes game last year, which that was surprising to me, but it makes sense because basically every time they drop back to pass, they picked up seven or eight yards and like he made no mistakes. There was nothing flashy, but he also ran for 53 yards. That was key to the comeback. Like, he played well. One thing that I think is really concerning for the Raiders, too, is I started to get

on board a couple weeks ago thinking the way they're running the ball, this can be their identity. 38 yards last week in an absolute no-show, 24-0-0-0 lost. the Saints, 70-something today against the defense you can run on. Right. They're bad with the lead, I think, because other teams, they should be able to run with the lead, but they're bad because then other teams

just start throwing every down, and that's great, against the Raiders, because they just can't cover anyone, especially over the middle of the field. Christian Kirk, it wasn't flashy 8 for 76 and 1, but he was awesome. His route running and the quality of his catches, he made a huge difference. Him and Lawrence had good chemistry all year.

Big game. Self-doubt is a disease in the Raiders have. it when it comes to closing these games. Let's take a break, and we'll continue on. Hey, this is Matt Jones. I'm Drew Franklin, and this is NFL Cover Zero. We're just here to try to give you an NFL perspective a little bit different. Did you see the Colts Pretzel?

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

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

Whether you're a diehard fan or just love understanding the game on a deeper level, we give you the full picture. 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. Welcome back. Let's now move to Foxborough, the site of the lockiest lock that there was ever a lock of. It was locky. Elegger takes the snap.

He's in the end zone. He's pressured to throw. He's picked off by Jonathan Jones. He runs out of a tackle. into the end zone. What a day for the Patriots quarterback. Judon was on the field there.

It's an underneath crosser. Ball gets tip. Jones in the perfect spot. Goes down to the knee, picks it up, gets the lead block, takes it in for a pick six. Is that? I don't think I'd ever heard

Zolak give analysis like that. No, that was layered in depth. There's more of a retelling of the play, but even then, yes. For him, though, it was very nuanced. They painted a picture for the listener. Inaudible, like, yelps and screams. In between, like, you know, chugging a beer or two, I would assume.

I don't know that for sure. Bob Sochi and Powerade with a call for WBZ. Matt Judon and Josh Uche combined for six of nine Patriot Sacks. I don't know if Matt Ellinger is the guy. and the New England Patriots beat up on the Colts 26 to 3. The pats are 5 and 4, moving above 500 for the first time this season as they reach their by week, followed by that big showdown against the Jets. Mark, I said this is the lockiest lock game ever because me, you, Gravedigger,

and the Wessling Zoo all locked it up. And it kind of went exactly how we predicted it looks like. Yeah, it did. I just, I, yeah, keep it going. Had to play it three times for three locks. I did not lock them up. Also, you said Matt Ellinger. It's Sam.

That's okay. Hook them horns. These guys love to, these guys love to put us on the spot here with these names. Who knows? I would have come around and correct myself, but then Justin chose once again to sandbag the host of the show. I learned my lesson from last week. But you didn't. It's unfair.

You did not learn it. Well, I didn't, like, jump in immediately. No, no, thank you. That one, you could let go. No, thank you, though. It was still a slimy procedure by you. Sorry. I'm a brand by The Best Man.

Ellen Gert. That would be a funny nickname. Like just a very sarcastic, the best man. He did a great job this weekend. I had that land. Very well. Your bit. It went well.

I told the joke that everyone on the Friday Fun Show told me not to tell with a lot better delivery. And the entire place erupted in laughter. Erupted. Why did it work better? Do you think? It was Kansas funny. It's like middle of the country

No but also like The joke had been a running bit Throughout like the whole day So it was like a nice So original too You know what What did you mean by Kansas Funny there

No I just think different values Different sense of humor Probably more in line In like CBS Sitcom Things like that Plus you're rooting for someone at a wedding To say anything kind of light

And then everyone's gonna over I'm not saying that this was over celebrated it certainly feels that way to me but common man ranking just taking a little no that's fine i i think there's probably a lot of people in kansas also with a very cerebral sense of humor that like shows like arrested development and absolutely those type of shows i'm just saying this crowd in particular seem to it's a multifaceted community i mean it erupted he made it sound like it was like they were also willing chris rock and madison square garden they were willing and ready to laugh at anything there are a lot of mr show fans and

Kansas also. Thank you that you can see that grave digger, by the way, that you can understand the environment that you were, that you were successful in from a comedic angle. Absolutely. Right. After I was so unsuccessful on Friday, I understand why it was a different situation. All right. That was it for Colts Patriots. Go ahead, Mark. Well, I just, Matt Ryan was in a bad position. Sam Ellinger is in a bad position. You're playing behind the most expensive offensive line in the NFL right now, and it's just a shock how far they've regressed. We've been seeing it all year. They opened the game with six punts, including a block punt,

that basically ended the game because all the Pats needed to do in this was like, put up 13 points, and to your point, it's about the lockiest lock of all time. The Colts were 0 and 14 on third down. That's kind of hard to do. Almost set the NFL record. 0 for 15 is the NFL record. I mean, that's the only thing they achieved

who was not setting the record. The Ellinger had 43 net yards passing because he had 60 yards lost on these nine sacks. I mean, just there was not a single drive where it really looked like he had a chance or they had a chance. There was no Jonathan Taylor. I mean, they were in a tough spot against the kind of, in the kind of game that Bill Belichick sits around dreaming of. Having to deal with an Ellinger, not deal with, he had a deal with Belichick in reverse. It was a bloodbath.

And I'm not that impressed. The only reason I thought the game was a little questionable for our lock early on was that the pats offensively are a paint-by-numbers eyesore. And Mack Jones just looks to me continually, it looks uncomfortable. And Remandre Stevenson is running the ball really well, and he has been for a while now. And he was sort of all they had with no Damien Harris. But they grew stronger as the game went on, but not so much their offense. Because I think guys like DeForest Buckner and the Colts offensive line handled a Pats, or the Colts defensive line, handled the Pats front five that were missing guys.

And it was a tough watch. It was a rough and tumble watch that like, cool. If you're the Patriots, nice win. I wouldn't float around town bragging about it all week long. Right, they average 3.3 yards per play. Their defense was awesome though. Like the Patriots averaged 3.3 yards per play,

which would be, you know, if that was over the course of the season, it was terrible. It felt like it was six and a half hours long. There was a total of 19 first downs in this game. The Colts only averaged two yards per play. It's crazy to me that the Patriots are 5 and 4, and they really have shown an ability to, steamroll and smother bad or limited quarterbacks.

They don't have a ton of them. That's a good skill to have. Right. They don't have a ton of them left on the schedule, but they do have Zach Wilson after the buy. Because if this Patriots team even had the 2021 Patriots passing offense, you would say this is a very spicy team that could make some noise in the playoffs. Well, they'd be seven and two.

They aren't that team. Instead of five and four. They're probably seven wins. I give Matthew Judon a lot of love, though. They don't make a lot of big free agent splashes in New England. I guess they have more than they've been given credit for over the years. But when they signed him, that was a surprising move. It was surprising that the Ravens let him go.

And he went from having a great year a year ago to an even greater year this year. I mean, he is having an outrageous all-pro type of season. And despite their personnel looking terrible on paper coming into the year overall, I mean, they're like a top five points allowed defense. Judon. No, he's not one of my guys. You got on him a little bit at the end of last year, but he was hurt. I think he's one of your guys.

He was at the beginning of last year. I mean, I've always liked. Once he's one of your guys, he's forever. Okay. Okay. That's good. They get a week off. They can enjoy it.

Justin, why did he go to UT or something? Why are you throwing your arms up? Oh, no, nothing. Oh, I'm being a professional as you take the podcast. Oh, right. Oh, you're watching the Titans. Have you paid attention to any of this? I give you a pass for this, Justin.

Do you feel a shame that Sam Ellinger went to your college at this point? No. We're doing this again. Sam Ellinger's last year at UT. He had no past trajectory and he looked bad. So close to moving on. And I expected him to look bad for the Colts and he's looked pretty bad. So three five and one.

By the way, John and five and ones are equal. By the way, Colts to finish fourth in the AFC South, not that looking that bad anymore. Texans are still there. Jonathan Jones had a spicy blocked pun in this and then the interception at the end. I mean, he had a great game. It's a nice day. Their defense. When I say don't float around town bragging about the win, the defense can.

One half of the team can. The other half must stay home during the bi-week and reflect quietly. I'd hope so. Another team that's reflecting right now, the Panthers, because they got whooped in Cincinnati. Burrow takes the snap, gives to Nixon, bouncing it wide to the left. Penalty flag down. He's at the 10, 5, into the end zone for what could be his fifth touchdown. Offside.

Defense. How about that? How about that? A 15-yard run for Joe Mixon, who has just set the single-bengal's single-game record with five touchdowns in a game, and we still have nearly 20 minutes to play. And he didn't even score a single touchdown after that. Slacker. Five touchdowns for Joe Mixon.

They don't all landmarked. Mark looked at me like they had an elbow growing out of my 40. No, I like what you did there. You gave me a very solemn like... I was just... My mind was on something else at the moment. Were you watching the Titans' Chiefs game also? I just if you're someone listening at home,

there is like a 70-inch television. You have to go full dad and say no more television in the studio? I was trying to do two things at once. Because I'm in front of the TV, so I can't see it. But I'm starting to worry that first the producer and now one of the co-hosts maybe aren't paying attention to the podcast anymore during the taping. Your joke was brilliant. when I came around to recording it in my mind.

Anyway, Joe makes me rush for 153 yards. And yes, five touchdowns, four on the ground, one through the air. Bengals jumped out ahead, 35 Zip in this game. Basically, he's telling Greg Rosethal, by the way, hit the break on all your criticisms of our offense and our offensive line, because we could do this. 4221 was the final, which doesn't even begin to tell those three garbage time touchdowns, led by Baker Mayfield, by the way.

Mark, what did you see in this game? Why was it so easy for Cincinnati and so hard for PJ Walker, who was history by halftime? I think we talked about week after week that where is the ground game from a year ago and the balance that it brings to an offense missing chase and it came, it just came in waves today.

And Mixin looked like last year's Mixin. It was absolute domination. At halftime, because I don't really count anything that happened after halftime in this, game it was just like ultra garbage time 311 yards to 32 21 first downs to one first down for the floating panthers 21 plus minutes of time possession so a lot of what happened was the carolina offense totally breaking down and unable to sustain anything p j walker was yanked at half time for baker mayfield because he was three for 10 for nine yards with two bad interception so you're saying

it wasn't a good fantasy spot start in my two kuby league is that what you're saying that Yeah, I am saying that. Negative points. I'm sure you figured that out before I confirmed that for you. I did. But if this is, I don't know, because it's like what was going on Monday night and then you're this? It's like, are you that sort of all over the map as a Bengals team? But if there's anything to take forward, if they can do this on the ground and be this balanced, it changes everything.

It changes the way that a defense is going to deal with the Bengals. Today it showed up and it just kind of reminded me of when they started to turn the corner a year ago. It looked like that team. They're high-level games this year, and really there's been a few, but two in the last three weeks against lacklester opponents, are as high-level offense as we've seen in the NFL this year. And it gives you some hope, especially with the buy. And the schedule's reasonable that they can survive because the AFC's deeper.

It's going to be tougher to make the playoffs in the AFC. We'll see if the Ravens win on Monday night, but it's going to be tough to win that division, too. It's huge to win as many games as you can. until Chase gets back. Yeah, and you're right. They're hitting their buy now. So you've survived two weeks without Chase.

You have a win and a loss. I mean, the Cleveland game on Monday, I don't want to call it an aberration because that was. But maybe it was, though. It's some of these division games. Just take on a strange. You know, an island game on the road against the rival that kind of owns you. It was not a good look,

but at the same time, every team has stinkers now and again. So I'm willing to, I was willing to be open-minded about how they would recover from that. And I know the Panthers stink, but they also were very competitive the week before and a near win over Atlanta. They couldn't get over it. They recorded the greatest play in the history of the NFL, Dan, and I wasn't recovered from it on Thursday. And they clearly weren't either. That ended up being like the end of his starting career. Eventually, going through PJ Walker's head while he's sitting in the locker room bench, he's saying seven days ago,

I made the greatest play in the history of the sport. and now my career is in tatters. What a, the pinballing of the sport. It's one of the reasons I love it so much. You do love the NFL. I've been picking that. You know who else loves the NFL? Jesus Christ, I love it.

I forgot to mention this, but during the Colts Patriots game, when it was still very low scoring, Mark Sessler was quoted saying, I love this game so much. About Colts Patriots. I'll tell you why, because it was so, maybe this isn't for everyone.

It's not everyone's loyal. It feels good to football. When a game is so bad, and I could tell it was going to be so bad, it's like, I start to love it. And at the same time, I love these blowouts, and I was covering this other, you love this little combination of the games. It was a great little, this was perfect for you. Mark likes it that his games are so bad that he doesn't have to watch his games,

and then he watches the other games. That's a weird, it's a weird story. I track every game. It follows a path. All right, let's take a break, and we'll be right back. 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. 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 dot. 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 die-hard fan or just love understanding the game on a deeper level, we give you the full picture. If you want insight that goes beyond the box score,

this podcast is for you. Don't miss it. Listen to the Move the Six podcast on the IHeart Radio app Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. All right. It's time to check in on the late games. And let's head to the desert where the Cardinals were facing the surging Seahawks. Ken Walker has 104 yards on the day on 25 carries.

First and goal from the five, he's going to carry it again. And he's going to turn up field. And he's going to try to spin out of attack and he gets a push. Does he get there he does? Touchdown. Seahawks. and they just shoved him across the line to make you can't knock this kid off his feet

and he scores his second touchdown of the game and all but seals it Steve were able to call K-I-R-O the Seahawks are at it again and Kenneth Walker a major reason why the rookie runs hard for buck O'9 and two scores including that clincher you heard there Final score 3121.

Seahawks over Cardinals, the first place. Seattle Seahawks, Gregi, another special day for you. Oh, yeah. You said you're enjoying the football today. It's great. All the football. I'm enjoying this Seahawks team more than maybe anyone except for Pete Carroll. This has to be a fever dream.

This is the team that he's dreamed of forever. There are people that have followed that team their entire lives. No, I've been a lifelong fan the last eight weeks, now nine. weeks and my enjoyment is right there. You're maddening. That should play well. I don't really believe that, but I do believe that this is everything Pete Carroll's ever wanted out of a

football team. Like young, long, rangy cornerbacks just breaking up plays and a pass rush full of like 320-pound men, Shelby Harris and Puna Ford and Nuooso, who's a little lighter, but he's getting in the mix in this game and harassing Murray

and they're so young and they're so exciting. And you have a decision maker and Gino that for the most part is making really great throws and good decisions. Had it up and down day today but ended up playing well at the end. But most importantly, you've got a running game that closes the

ball game. Kenneth Walker came into this week leading the NFL and yards per carry in the fourth quarter and it was another fourth quarter where the Seahawks just wore another team down and this guy just makes you miss. He's so creative when he runs. I don't know who he reminds

me of. To me he's like one of one. He's got a little bit of Levyon Bell in him, but it's not Levy on Bell. I know he's like got the patient thing where he waits forever. And sometimes he's looking for a big play and it costs him that happened today once or twice. But my God, is he a talented back

and he closed this Cardinals team out no matter what they did on defense. Dream scenario for Pete Carler because he does have a young dog that he can hand the ball off to. K-9 is his nickname. Is it? That's great.

That's a perfect nickname. As long as he's not offended by it. No, it's his, he's got a, His own very professional website where you can get good T-shirts. I'm just saying it's really well done. I went to it. This is going to sound like Dan's doing the Gino thing again.

I'm not. It's more kind of like good for Gino because he's having such a great season that even, it seems like he gets away with his mistakes for the most part too. And he threw a pick six in the game, didn't get away with that. And a screen. That was a great play. And had a couple of balls that probably should have been picked. including one that preceded his last touchdown pass.

So it's just like, even when he's the old Gino, that's getting papered over by either good fortune or him making up for it later in the game. So I'm just like, I watched Gino because I've watched so many of his games in my life. And I'm like, that guy's still in there. But this is also starting to feel like one of those kind of special seasons where things just go right for him.

And I'm trying not to take any credit away from him. You are. And it sounds like it is. But if you watch this game, you'll notice this game could have been very different if Arizona just made some plays that they did. I mean, the pick six was an incredibly unique play by Zaven Collins. It wasn't just a terribly thrown ball or something or him not seeing the field. I think that Gino, the thing I like about him is that every week he's going to give you four or five throws that are beautiful.

And they talked about this, and maybe this doesn't matter to most people, but they talked about the fact, to your point on Pete Carroll, that Pete Carroll, like, Gino Smith is just Pete Carroll's kind of quarterback. that he has a special, they said he has a special affinity for the journey he's been on. I think to go be believed in by your coach and believed in by your team, that matters and it helps you get out of some of the dark places you get into.

And he's done that. He hasn't had a lot of bad quarters. But today, you know, early on it was like, we'll see, or is this the Gino game we're waiting for? And he worked his way out of it. Right. I think Vance Joseph, the coordinator for the Cardinals, threw a lot at him.

And Gino's a guy who wins before the snap, you know, much like his former mentor, Eli Manning. The similarities continue. And I don't think he knew exactly what he was seen before the snap a lot of time, and he was holding on to the ball too long. That's an old Gino trait, and he took a couple bad sacks. But the difference, Dan, and you mentioned, like he lucked out on one near interception in the red zone is one of his worst throw,

where he just a soft throw to D.K. Metcalfe that he should have put up higher, and it probably should have been picked. The very next play, he puts a dime on a defender's back shoulder, which the Hutzpah to make that throw even in tight quarters after you nearly threw an interception was incredible and D.K. makes a great catch and they score. So you're right, like right after he made two of his worst throws of the game, he followed that with dimes for touchdowns.

He's having a great year. Right, right. I am not, don't really, and I'm sure I'm going to get on Twitter or wherever the hell else, but like it's just he has made some mistakes and he's gotten away with it, but he does. I agree with you. I wrote in my notes. This was one of his worst games for most.

of it, but like the rest of the team, they've really had a good sense of closing out these games in the second half, really all season, but especially last two weeks. I think they're for real. I'm totally this. Once the defense has gotten things figured out here, and we had another big game by their offensive rookie of the year candidate in the secondary, they're just, they're having a really nice run now with a defense, the running game, and the Gino Smith-led passing game, they're all, they're humming right now. Yeah, and it's, I mean, the division they're in, you would have thought that Arizona and the Rams would have been serious playoff contenders. And like so much of the NFC, they're falling off a cliff. And I feel like every

time I looked up at this game, it was another Arizona Cardinals moment where Billy Price is, you know, whipping the snap over Kyler Murray's head. You got Kyler and DeAndre Hopkins join at each other. I kind of thought that was more just like teammates trying to like, but Greg and I talked about this a bunch that. Kyler Murray, I think he really, really is obviously, frustrated and wants this stuff to go better. But his body language and facial expressions and leaning into people verbally on the sideline is another week-to-week thing. And they can't get past their own mistakes.

They've been a better offense, obviously, with DeAndre Hopkins, who has like 40 targets in three games here. But not in this one, Willen did a nice job on him when he was on him. And in general, that he didn't do much today. I guess my point there would be it's not enough. And Rodney Anderson has given them nothing so far. Oh, my God. He was a negative in this game, played poorly.

So it's the same. Negative four yards, Robbie Anderson. Jason Zumwalt, the new voice of the show that he hear and a longtime Cardinals fan, he suggests that we don't even talk about the Cardinals today as a punishment for how atrocious they've been unbalanced. That would be rewarding them, ultimately. I agree with you. Yeah, I don't. They deserve this verbal lashing.

And here's it. I know they got better when DeAndre Hopkins returned, but today it was back to the same old five, yards per throw, Kyler Murray. Where just there was nothing deep down the field at all. Like the only offense that they consistently had came from Kyler scrambling. They had a couple decent runs from James Connor. But the passing game, it's another team that they've kind of shown us who they are. They're a station to station, bad offensive line offense.

And you mentioned him getting upset. The thing that got me about Kyler getting so upset was like it was the first quarter and he was losing his mind. It reminded me a little of like sometimes you see. in a big tennis match. I know you love the tennis analogies. Tennis is a completely different sport. But when the guys are so edgy early in the match and getting upset at like a not important point

in like the first set, it's like, oh, it's got to, he's not there. And that's what Kyler Murray is sometimes in these games. Like he's so frustrated at everyone. And it's like, it's a seven to three, Kyler. Your point is he's not John McEnroe who would get upset, but then go win. Well, there you go.

I went to play tennis with my wife and two small children and utterly destroyed them on the courts. I have tennis roots. I played tennis as a child. I think I've underestimated your global sports fandom. Yeah, you need to just like maybe data wipe your preconceived notions and start again. Not to mention his talent. He crushed those boys who have never played tennis before.

I think I might have eliminated their enjoyment of the sport that day. Hey, that's also teaching a lesson. Know when to quit. One last thing on the Seahawks here, by the way. They're going to Germany. They're going to Germany at six in three. This is like a thing. Why are you going to Germany at this point?

We should. Gina versus Tom Brady, this is like my dream game here. We'd give him the week off, right, if he wanted to go follow his little new fetish? I would, yeah. I'd clear that. I mean, the NFL has not cleared that, but I think it's too late for that.

All right, let's move to the other late game played in Tampa. And, man, are the Rams dead? Hmm. The champs might be dead. First and goal, Brady on the shotgun, Otton sniff to the right side. Here's this now. In play, action, fate, pass the right side. Cod ball.

Test out, Tampa Bay. Buccaneers take the lead with nine seconds, Kate, Otton. Fire the cannons. Fire the cannons. Fire them again. 15, 13 bucks. Gene Degger off. W-F-U-S.

Tom Brady stepped to the podium after the 16-13 win over the defending Super Bowl champion Rams and said, that was awesome. That was bleepin awesome. Because the Bucks and another day where their offense struggled, they got the touchdown they needed, taking over with 44 seconds to play, and they go right down the field on the Rams who are just dying after their, offense could not salt away the win. So Brady gets it done.

Greg, this was right after, Mark, excuse me. This was right after the previous drive where it looked like the Bucks had lost the game because another brutal wide receiver dropped by Scotty Miller in the end zone. But they get another chance and they make the most of it. Huge win. Yeah, I guess whoever won this, you're going to avoid some of the heavy critique that would be coming your way had you been the loser because there's a reason that we put this game here initially.

Now, it finished with more drama than we expected, but three and a half quarters in, this was... A little bit of a punishment here. A little bit of a lashing. We were lashing a bit for, you know, running around being called the Game of the Week and all this business, and then you produce a real stinker for most of it. All the players running around town, we're the game of the week.

Well, they were. It was actually the game itself was running around everywhere. They're like, oh, you think the bills and Jets are there? Who's got Romo? Who's got Nance? We're the game of the week. How do you see it? We're the game of the week.

That's how I see it. Like, we're the best. The Rams, I mean, have unfixable issues. They have 206 yards of offense. Your offensive line, I mean, they kept sort of showing it over and over. Like Vita Veo was one of the MVPs of this game. And one of the reasons he's awesome, though, is they were showing that the left side of the Rams line just had these, like, open doorways where you can just skirt through and create total problems for, like, both sides. Like I just, I don't, I think Stafford, here's the thing, a year ago, Brady and Stafford had 84 touchdowns combined.

They went into this game with 16. The Rams can't run the ball. Sean McVeigh said after, not good enough, not even close to good enough. And I'm part of that. And he said changes have to be made. And he reiterated that that's part of his part, that includes him too. They showed on the sideline after the go-ahead touchdown, McVeigh, and he just seemed just like a guy that was ready for the broadcast. booth himself. And Tony Romo, who's in the booth with Nance calling this game, even though it's

an NFC game that always still messes with my head for CBS. He brought up, and I brought up Aaron Donald and how he hadn't had a big year in terms of getting to the quarterback this year. And Romo provided some nice context on what he's seen when he watches the tape, which is that because they have so much issue, so many issues in their secondary, not Jalen Ramsey, but on the other side, they have such a big cushion that they give the opposing wide receivers that opposing offenses are just attacking the Rams, getting the ball out quickly,

negating Aaron Donald to a certain extent, and you didn't see the Bucks light up the Rams defense by any stretch. But in that last series, the ease in which they went right down the field and basically wiped out the Rams, it was like stunning to watch the D look that bad. Well, but their D played amazing in this game.

But they got away with the previous drive, Greg. Scotty Miller dropped. Otherwise, that would have been a touchdown drive too. My point is they got the ball, the Buccaneers, seven times in the second half. Every one of those with a chance to go take the lead. And they kept getting stopped. Punt, punt, downs, punts.

And these aren't like go down the field and punt. These are like three and outs or one first down. They got that field goal. And then, yes, they did get lucky at the end. But Tom Brady used all of his experience in that drive. drive. He played hurry up even when the ball was stopped. Here are the numbers of the play clock of how much time was left when they snapped the ball, even though the clock wasn't moving. 25 seconds, 21 seconds. Where is it here? I'm looking at my notes. 18 seconds, 17 seconds.

And so he was not letting the Rams defense make any play changes substitute at all. They were just sitting there. He was like, if I can keep them in this defense, I'm going to go down the field. and he played hyper speed, even though the clock was stopped in all these. And that was some, like, Tom Brady stuff that was cool. I would also note that I don't think the Bucks win this game without their punter operating as an absolute star. Jake Camarda, he had a 74-yard punt in this game.

A little Camarda pop in a big spot. Longest by the Bucks, ties a team record that goes back to December 14th, 1997 by old Sean Landeta. I love Sean Landetta. When that, after that punt happened, this game had 15 of them. There were 614 punt yards by both.

both teams in like 310 yards of total offense. Wow. I mean, you're getting to the point. Do we have the Ramsey sound where the Rams defense is feeling rightfully, I feel like that they're not being held up? Aaron Donald did have a big impact. He ended a drive with a sack in this and ended the next drive, I believe, with a batted pass.

Right. For the most part, they had a good day until it wasn't a good day. They went, the Bucks had it 12 place, 53 yards. You had the Scotty Miller drop and then the Rams get the stop on fourth down. with just a couple minutes to play. Send the Rams offense back out there. They go three and out and gain six yards and burn one minute of the clock,

which then allows Tampa Bay to get one more shot, and in 35 seconds, they go 60 yards for the score. Jalen Ramsey, one of the high-powered stars of this team in the secondary after the game, the frustration is obvious. He's like, how many times you need us to bail you out? The defense should not have went, had to go back on the field.

I got to have some dogs who gonna go get it. We're like, we shouldn't come to the sideline after a big stop like that and our coaches or the other side or whoever telling us, man, y'all, we're gonna need y'all one more time, we're gonna need you out one more time. Like, what the f***?

We just, we made a big stop. Turn over on downs with a minute and some change left and no time else for nobody. You gotta have some dollars, like man, we're gonna end this game. game right now. Good stop. We're going to end this game for y'all. Like, we got to play off each other in that sense. You know what I mean? That's what I mean by we shouldn't even have to go back out there. But it is what it is. It ain't the first time that this has happened. This has happened,

you know, multiple times. This is year, really. And you could call that finger pointing if you want. I like it. It's honest. It's the, it's the star of the defense or one of the top two stars of the defense calling out what we all know, which is that they're playing well. but they're not getting help from the other side. And, you know, when we kill Aaron Rogers in weeks past for dishing out critique but not really including himself at times, like the Rams defense got it done today. This is the kind of stuff that fractures and pulls apart a locker room. Their loss in the NFC is not the same to me as, let's say, if the Bucks have lost this game.

As crazy as the NFC... The first place bucks. Right. The Bucks are now tied for first place. and even if they were a game back, I would have always given the Bucks a chance to get themselves together in December, just because you never know.

The Rams, on the other hand, like the Cardinals, the Cardinals are at 3 and 6, the Rams are at 3 and 5, are really falling behind in the NFC where I think it's going to be more difficult to make the playoffs. And there's no signs of like that it could get better. The players are there.

They had nine first downs. There are some crazy stats in this game. The Rams had nine first downs. The Rams after getting outscored in the fourth quarter here again have been outscored in the fourth quarter this year, 71 to 10. Whoa, Shawnee McVeigh, what's up, buddy? And then one last one, and this is the one that I just can't even believe. Cooper Cup had eight for 127 in this game, two long catches.

He had that catch for the touchdown that looked just like the one he had to beat the bucks last year in the playoffs. In throws that did not go to Cooper Cup, Matthew Stafford dropped back to pass 22 times. In those non-Cupert Cup plays, would you want to guess what they produced? 22 dropbacks? 22 dropbacks.

I would say they produced 50 yards. I'm going to take the under 49, like you do on prices right. They did not break double digits. They had nine yards in those plays. 22 plays for nine yards. I just won. When it didn't go to cup. I won that.

That's a nice W there. That says it all. Actually, we both went over. price is right rules so no win for you oh you're right well that's them it's not really price is right it's a football podcast what a what a sport it didn't even feel like the buck's like the buck's defense still hasn't turned to force the turnover in five weeks i mean they did a good job they only allowed two hundred but they haven't forced to turn over in five weeks their receivers are still dropping passes they still couldn't run the ball and they're still running on first and second

down like every time and putting brady in a bad spot so there was a lot of typical buck stuff until the end. I don't know if this like good feeling just magically helps it. That's exactly it. Because had the Rams somehow pulled this off, like people are going to be going nuts on Tampa Bay. Instead, we kind of, if people don't watch it, didn't see the game, although it was apparently being played in 100% of the nation according to Jimmonds.

Yeah, I thought that was rude to the Seattle and Arizona game. He said 100% of the nation is getting into game. Is that true that if you're in Arizona or Seattle, they're playing the Rams? I don't think that's the case. I think it excludes the. local markets where the although I guess it is on in those markets it is on but you're right because it's

it's on CBS I think if you're good and I think the price is right rule is you would wager one so you would say one yard right you blew it right no I could have because I knew Greg wouldn't give us that stat if it was like 98 yards it's like

well there's a lot of bad offense right now but I should have just gone hardcore one one would have been pretty close only eight yards off but I wouldn't sound like I really knew what I talking about on top of just winning the... I feel bad for the Rams. Don't feel bad. Well, my daughter's a huge fan.

I know they're sad back there. Did she go to the Super Bowl last year? She did. Come on. It's good to learn both sides of the coin. The disappointment, that's important, too, in terms of growth, I find. It adds to your character as a young person. But I think one, and I know you would be, if you could just get one Jets Super Bowl,

just give me one. You would be happy forever. But if they followed up that season, and looked like the 2022 Rams, those Sundays would be pretty much just about as miserable as if they hadn't won the Super Bowl. They just would be a miserable experience. They'd be a chance to see if that's what would happen. That's all last. Test that hypothesis out on your own.

Oh, Gregi had a little bounce in his step in the newsroom. We should have known, Mark, that he had locked up the buck, so a doubly sweet late touchdown. Had it all the way. Very nice. You were sweating that out for a little bit there, Greg. you and I are both surging at the top of the standings halfway through the season. It's exciting, Mark, you know, come join us, come to the point. Everyone got their lock right this week, which is cool.

I'm one behind you, and I think that, you know, the great nature of sports, we've been talking about it all evening, and football is a comeback tale. Football's great. What a great, what a great day. I love it. Do you love football, Justin? I still love football. You might not love it after we get into the first.

final game of week nine Sunday from Arrowhead. It is the Titans taking on the Chiefs. Fourth and 26. Willis puts it up. It's incomplete and it's over. And Kansas City wins in overtime. Mike Tariko with the call for NBC. Yes, the Kansas City Chiefs. tie the game with a touchdown and two-point conversion, both on runs from Patrick Mahomes in the fourth quarter. And then after a field goal put them ahead, the Titans go four and out with Malik Willis at quarterback Ryan Tannahill. Inactive in this game with that ankle issue. And, boys, that is how I'll remember this game when the Tennessee offense really needed a play down the stretch here. They just couldn't get it.

and you give credit to Kansas City in their defense. And, of course, Patrick Mahomes, Mark, on a day where he threw 68 passes in the game, too shy of the NFL record for passing attempts in a game. It was the plays he made with his legs in the fourth quarter that saved the Chiefs. Yeah, I can only imagine what's going on with Gravedigger because I think as a Titans fan,

you had to love what was happening early. They put a lot of heat on the homes. They were creative enough in their run game. It was just sort of a typical Titans, white knuckle operation, and they've matched up well with the Chiefs before. It seemed like they were going to get it done. But if you're the Chiefs and you're going to run the ball, or you're going to have 91 snaps and hold the ball for 41 plus minutes,

I just saw a Titans defense that started to bleed towards the end. They started to lose their energy. It's crazy because it was 91 offensive plays, And the Chiefs running backs, their running game other than Mahomes, had 14 yards. And it was 17-9 late in that fourth quarter, and it was 9-0 at the beginning of the second quarter. At that point, I thought game over. Titans aren't coming back from 9-0. And it felt like it was going to be a total route.

They get 17 straight points. They're making Mahomes hold the ball forever. Like the defensive line did such a good job over and over again, and I know the stats look so uneven. You know, Chiefs have 29 first downs. Titans have nine. That's every Titans game. But, man, it just, it was right there, and they couldn't get Lucky Graver on some of those calls on the two-point conversions.

You got to be going nuts off. They couldn't get Mahomes down on the third and 17 where he scrambles. Also, a holding that wasn't called. I'm not going to complain about any of the calls or whatever because even Travis Kelsey ripping off Josh Kalu's helmet. That one, forget about it. Kalu did grab him first, so, like, I could see where the. setting pedals. But it maybe could have been.

And on that same play there could have been holding where they basically tackled. I think it was heart coming through. Yeah. I think you can complain on that one. When Travis Kelsey is like chokeholding the guy and like ripping his helmet off, I think you can complain about not off sending penalty.

But I feel like Mahomes would have scored on the next run in anyway, which he did. I think losing Bud Dupree hurt this Titans team a lot because when he was in the, like Bud Dupree is a really aggressive guy, like a really high motor guy who continues to play and play and play. And Mahomes is the type of quarterback where you need that presence on your defense. And when he went out in the second half with that hip injury that's been bothering him most of the season,

it was after his exit that Mahomes had all those scrambles running open downfield. I mean, it looked exactly like the 2019 AFC championship game or the Titans get up to a lead and the one spark, like nothing's working for the chief's offense. And then it's sparked by Mahomes using his legs. And that's why he's just such a great, unstoppable player. I'm sitting there watching the game hoping the Chiefs call running plays. Like, every time they call a running play, I'm like, this defense has got it. If they call a pass, I don't know, Mahomes is going to do some magical thing.

I think I'm hesitant to say that Patrick Mahomes is underrated in any way because I think he is properly celebrated as one of the best quarterbacks in the league in potentially all time when it's all said and done. But guys like Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen, you know, we talk about all the time how they can change games with their legs. Mahomes has been this guy his whole career as well, his ability and his impeccable instincts of when to flee, when he needs 17 yards. He can get that for you. And I think it's just like more, you see it every week. The traditional pocket passer is dead.

You need guys like Patrick Mahomes that can do with their legs when it's not there in the passing game. And on the Tennessee side with Malik Willis, you know, he's a young quarterback, obviously. He was drafted in the third round, I believe. He's a developmental type player in a draft class that didn't have a lot of high-end talent by most people's expectations. But Mark, he wasn't ready for the moment when things got hot in the fourth quarter, right down to the final drive there where the offensive line was buying him some time, and he just wouldn't pull the trigger on throws. Now you could say downfield, there's nobody open.

but also there was a little bit of a deer in the headlights vibe. Wagon is in a tough spot because there are very weapons poor offense in general. He's not surrounded by much or anything in the passing game. They're running a bunch of three tight end sets. I mean, it's the contrast between a lot of the, a lot of the Patrick Mahomes plays where he's taking off with his feet and making incredible first downs. It's because of his vision, because of what he's seen,

because of what his options are and the choices he makes. And Willis, I thought towards the end of the game when he had those two, terrible sacks in a row to essentially ice the thing. It's like the last thing you wanted to be as the Titans was having to put the game into Malique Willis's hands because it's like they successfully played around his weaknesses all game and then the floor fell out. Right, but they didn't successfully do it on offense after those first three drives. The frustrating thing is he had a couple nice throws.

He had a nice deep ball that they dropped on the go ball down the sidelines. He had two nice things. They had another, which is why I think they were confident enough to go back. to it in a place where you didn't really need to be aggressive later in the game in Westbrook, it couldn't, you know, bring it in. That wasn't on him. Yeah, yeah, the nice back shoulder to Hooper. But they had nine drives to end the game on offense in which they totaled one first down. Right. I mean, that's the worst stretch of offensive player right there of any offense in any spot all year. And the sequence that killed me was they somehow managed to extend their lead from

14-9 to 17-9 in that stretch, and they had the ball in the fourth quarter, around the 42-yard line. You got a second-and-eight, and that's when they do a drop-back pass where they throw the ball deep, doesn't work, and then they have a screen, they lose yardage, and they punt it away. I wanted more time, more running. Me too. I actually thought they could have leaned more into. Henry had 17 carries. He just seemed to vanish in this game down the stretch.

And he had zero targets, which this is what bothered me the most, like, even if, you know, it's the end of the game and you can't hand it off because you're running out of time or whatever, Henry can stay on the field and be a weapon. You get him in space and he can make people miss. Like we've seen him make people miss this year in space. You're absolutely right. I thought the same thing. In that last drive and possession in the fourth quarter, he's off the field. He's on the sideline. And it's like, yeah, we've seen him catch passes before, make a guy miss and then take it to the house. They needed him to save them. And he can't save them when he's not on the field. So, So yes, maybe Malik Will's had a couple nice throws, but five of 16 for 80 yards was the final total.

And it's just a bummer, obviously, as a Titans fan, because Tanna Hill's on the sideline, too. And you know everything else equal, if he's in this game, they win. And they just let this one slip away. When is the last time we saw a game where a team, you know, with a chance to took it to overtime where they finished the game with 10 straight drives of eight or fewer net yards. That's a pretty wild. So that's what I mean where just you would have thought there would have been more adjustment in terms of read option plays and design runs. Like if they had just chosen not to pass it all and have Willis on the move with read options

and more runs for Henry, even in overtime when it was like second and eight, just run Henry four straight times and see if you can get 10 years. I wonder like behind the scenes, like they're trying to give him the smallest playbook possible. And he just doesn't seem up to speed. I mean, maybe, but yeah, they didn't. they didn't like make a Willis is going to run the ball a lot. I mean, the read options worked in the first half. And it's crazy because the defensive plan to Mahomes did work perfectly.

All they needed was a remote, a tiny bit of confidence from their offense. And they win this game. And yet what we'll remember, kind of like we remember Tom Brady at the end of this game for finally getting it done at the end. What I'll remember ultimately is not only Mahomes running, but on the overtime drive, the second down throw where he's falling over and Kelsey makes an incredible catch behind his back, or, you know, on a throw that was behind him.

And then the third and inches play. Everything for the Chiefs has to be harder where Mahomes needs to stop on a dime and then make an incredible throw down the field on third and inches to set up the game winning field goal. That's what Mahomes does. That's what Brady does. That's why Danny loves football.

I love football so much. And Tanna Hill did go out on the field before the game. He tried warming up, but he never even planted his ailing. in the turf before he walked off the field and was made inactive. I guess that's where we see again, Justin Tennessee is a team that can hang with anyone the way they play their physical style. It didn't work out today in the end.

The only thing that would be a real disaster is if this Tannihill injury is worse than we know. I think it's been reported as a high ankle sprain. So they snowed under budding young reporter Justin Graver who's trying to get in front of things on the injury front, not to get on you when you're dead. down here. He did get in front of things and then he got rolled over by the bus of misinformation. I've been pretty wrong two weeks in a row, but hey. I wasn't going to bring it up, but, you know.

It would be a nice night for Yessica to maybe make you some nice cupcakes or something or a treat when you get home. Yeah, that would be. I don't know how that works. Can I hit you with one statutes before we close this stuff? Weird guy. Titans became the fourth team since the year 2000. That's what you do.

Like when your mate is hurting, you would want to. Physically bake cupcakes? Is that what you're saying? I'm saying that's one, I pulled that out of a hat. It could be anything. Wouldn't you feel even just like the smallest, like almost like infantilized if like, oh, your football team lost, I'm going to make you cupcakes? Maybe not.

I think it's more like there's some fantasy stuff going on. Go ahead, Justin. The Titans became the fourth team since the 2000 season to finish a game without completing a pass to a wide receiver. Name a worse receiving core in the NFL than what the Titans are fielding. Don't blame it on the receivers. I mean, that's right, bro. The Rams would give up a

three first-round picks for it to get Robert winning back. You hung tight, you almost won, you're going to win your division. You'll have a home game. You'll have another chance maybe against this team. First round playoff exit type of Titans. No, this made me feel even better about the Titans. They really have something in terms of the greater

than some of their parts. They win this game with Tanna Hill. Well, don't, uh, don't fret. Okay. And even if it doesn't work out for the Titans, football's so amazing. Football's fun. That you just, like, enjoy the sport no matter what happens. Yeah, I'm rooting for the Seahawks if I can't remember.

They're my NFC team. He's already pivoted off. No, they're my NFC team. Okay, well. Well, that's the starting. Don't, you know what? Two weeks ago, I was telling Dan not to lose hope about the Jets. That's right.

Well, we're saying that to you right now. Yeah, I'm not losing hope. I, Malik Willis has a long way to go before. We just talk about openly rooting for a different team. Well, just like as a secondary. I mean, I would lose hope if it's Malik Willis for a month and a half. I'm trying to turn into Greg who has like 17. Right.

No, the 12s. You don't want to be Greg. We'll welcome you. The 12s are. Carefully who you choose as your role models. You know? I feel like Greg's really loyal to football. Yeah, right.

Don't be a little football guy. I like you as you are. A passionate fan. Emotionally detent. We're going to have a meetup for the 630 a. Munich game. The 12s. We're all getting around the Los Angeles area.

Cupcakes will be provided by Yessica. With the biggest Seahawks fan of all, self-proclaimed. I'm sure that's going to go over really well at that meetup. Greg's been a fan for about two weeks, three weeks. Two months. All right. That's it. Thank you everybody for listening.

You know what? Really thank you. This is a sincere thank you because we just came off the two best months we've ever had. on this podcast in terms of listenership, which 10 years into this show and knowing everything about our show and everything with Chris and just being together and doing this as long as we have

to be, get the support that we get. I do love football. I love doing this football podcast with you boys. Yes. and we are very lucky to have loyal fans that came back or are coming and joining us this season and trying to figure out all the weird inside jokes and drops we have welcome aboard to all the new listeners.

It's been very cool. And I believe I told them at the outset of the show to shut up about a topic or two. I take that back. I was in the moment. And thank you for teeing that up because any fans in Kansas that was a bit.

I bet you have very keen sensibilities when it comes to comedy and I didn't mean to infer that you do not. Right. We love the Midwest and in all parts of the country. And to people even outside the Midwest that do enjoy CBS comedies,

like you're valuable as people and your opinions should be respected. Let's not go too far. But thank you to everybody. well said he's like one guy that listen he's like huge

young Sheldon fan super pissed right now young Sheldon's like 17 right now heed the call Hey, game from breaking down college prospects and NFL rookies to evaluating team building philosophies, coaching trends, and how front offices construct winning rosters. We study the tape, talk to decision makers, and give you a perspective you won't find anywhere else.

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