NFL Daily with Gregg Rosenthal - Commanders-Bengals and Bills-Jaguars MNF Recaps

Episode Date: September 24, 2024

Gregg Rosenthal is joined by Nick Shook to recap a Monday Night Football double header featuring the Bills and Jaguars facing off in Buffalo and the Bengals and Commanders in Cincinnati. The show star...ts with the guys talking about Jayden Daniels' breakout game (0:28), the Commanders' surging offense (10:32), the Bengals missing opportunities through the first three weeks of the season (16:10), and the current state of the team in Cincinnati (22:37). After the break, things shift to Josh Allens's dominant performance against the Jaguars (26:42), Trevor Lawrence's lackluster game (35:13), and Damar Hamlin's moment of the game (41:33). The show is wrapped with news from around the NFL including injury updates for Sam Darnold (44:32) and Joe Alt (47:30), some spicy quotes from Antonio Pierce (51:09), and Gregg and Nick's players of the week (57:30).  Note: time codes approximate. NFL Daily YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nflpodcastsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcript
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Starting point is 00:00:00 This is an I-Heart podcast. Hey, everybody. Daniel Jeremiah here. And I'm Bucky Brooks. On Move the 6th, we take you inside the game from breaking down college prospects and NFL rookies to evaluating team building philosophies, coaching trends, and how front offices construct winning rosters. We study the tape, talk to decision makers, and give you a perspective you won't find anywhere else.
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Starting point is 00:01:01 Listen to the NFL Fantasy Football podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Toyota, the official automotive partner of the NFL. Visit Toyota.com slash NFL now to learn more. McCaffrey doesn't know what the play is. Neither does hurts, but they got to snap it on a third and seven and they do. Bengals bring the house. Jane loads one up for McLaur in the end zone. Dick, Dick, Dick!
Starting point is 00:01:27 He did! Touchdown! Touchdown! Watching Dead! Unreal! What... What was that? Holy cow!
Starting point is 00:01:41 That right there was a franchise legend being born. The Jaden Daniels game happened, and we were all witnesses. Nick shook 38 to 33. Of course, those were the words of Bram Weinstein and the cackling laughter of London Fletcher on WB-B-I-G. And I don't blame any Commander's fan.
Starting point is 00:02:09 If you have a Commander's fan in your life, they were probably texting, and they were the LeBron meme. Like, I just can't believe what has happened. This Wo Begone franchise has a quarterback. Jaden Daniels goes 21 of 23 for 250. an NFL rookie record for completion percentage for 254 yards, two touchdowns, two absolute dimes to Terry McClure.
Starting point is 00:02:35 And before I get to you, Nick, I just want to take the listeners. I'm going to take you just a little bit through that last drive. Okay, here's the situation. They're up by five points. They'd love to get three. They'd love to burn clock because the Bengals, for as great as the Washington commanders played offense all night, and they didn't punt, and they didn't turn the ball over.
Starting point is 00:02:56 for a second straight week. The Bengals didn't punt or turn the ball over either. This was the first game since 1940 for that to happen for both teams. That's absolutely insane. So he knows you need points. Early in the drive, third and two, on the commander's side of the field. The Bengals send six. They send the house.
Starting point is 00:03:18 Jaden Daniels sees where the Blitz is coming from. He gets around the edge. He calmly completes the pass to keep. the drive going. Just poise for days. Later in the drive, second and 21 after Trey Hendrickson finally gets home and gets a big time sack. You think maybe they can get him off the field here. He calmly takes two shorter throws where the commanders get nice yards after the catch. He doesn't try to get it all back in one throw and the Bengals can't tackle like they can't tackle all night. Meanwhile, their defenders are celebrating that they have big hits or that they got
Starting point is 00:03:55 him down before fourth down. But this isn't the old Dan Quinn. This isn't the old commanders. We get to fourth and four and they're going for it. They're not going to punt that ball away. Fourth and four calmly takes a deep drop back to give him a little extra time because again, he knows the pressure is coming. He gets it to Zach Ertz to keep that drive going. And that finally sets up the third in seven. They're in field goal range. They can make it an eight point lead, but they see what Lou Anirumo is going to do. He's going to send six. He might as well have sent everyone because the guys in the middle of the field weren't, you
Starting point is 00:04:33 know, doing anything. Jaden Daniels knows he's going to get hit on that play, but he sees his guy, Terry McLaurin, one-on-one coverage on the outside. They give him a chance. Great job by Cliff Kingsbury. Great job by Jaden Daniels. And Terry McLaren makes one of the catches of the season. The next-gen stats say it's the most improbable.
Starting point is 00:04:54 touchdown catch of the season because of the quality of the throw to just put it in the smallest of spots and the quality of the catch too because McLaurin was well covered on that play, had no room on the sideline. And Nick, the image that's going to stick with me in all this is actually before the fourth down. And it's Jaden Daniels yelling over at the sideline to Cliff Kingsbury, who had a great night. Let's go. Let's go. Let's go. Let's go. And he's not saying let's go. Let's go for it. By then that's assumed they know they're going with Jaden Daniels. He's like he is the man. Let's get the play call in. Stop with the delaying. And in that moment for him to be hurrying up. And you know what he did? I think he really did get Cliff Kingsbury to hurry it up. Like quickly you saw him respond. Get it out. They have plenty of time to get the fourth down. This kid is something else. Forgive me, Nick. But man, this was an awesome moment. One of those performances. I think. think we're going to remember for the rest of Jaden Daniels' career. You know, it's not often that we look at a schedule going into a season and think, ooh, Washington Commanders, National Game, Monday,
Starting point is 00:06:03 week three. Yeah, that's going to be the moment. But this was the moment. If you paid attention to Jaden Daniels like we have since the start of the preseason, you've seen a confident, composed, poised quarterback who's had the maturity and the ability to handle the situation. He's never been sped up by the game. Even in their first two games, he had put together a nice performance in that lost to Tampa. He put together a good performance in that win over New York. But this was the moment when the rest of the football world was introduced to the guy who is probably going to win offensive rookie of the year if you're asking me, because he is every part of what you saw Monday night.
Starting point is 00:06:34 Like you said, 21 to 23, the highest completion percentage for a rookie with a minimum of 20 pass attempts in NFL history at 91%. That is the type of quarterback he is and he delivered over and over again. That fourth down, he's a weapon with his legs. He led the team in rushing. You can't stop him through the air. You can't stop him on the ground. He had the Bengals defense on skates all night.
Starting point is 00:06:57 Obviously they couldn't make tackles, but they also had no answer for him and for him to finish it that way by going to Terry McLaren. The guy who hadn't been involved in the offense very much in the first two weeks, that was the narrative going into the week. Where is Terry McLauran?
Starting point is 00:07:08 Well, I'll tell you what, there he is. Catching a 55-yard pass over Cam Taylor Brad who talked a bunch of smack about the offense going into the week, catching a 27-yard bomb over Dax Hill to plunge the dagger into the hearts of Bengals fans everywhere. That is an emphatic way to finish a game. Football World. Meet Jaden Daniels. He ain't going anywhere.
Starting point is 00:07:26 Okay, so you're absolutely right. I've been watching, and, you know, my wife, I was watching the first half of this game, and she was like, who the hell is Jaden Daniels? So it's like, for some people, it truly is being introduced. And, you know, Walker thinks that's funny and starts repeating. Who the hell is Jaden Gannis? Okay, it's not like a welcome to our consciousness. This guy's a Heisman trophy winner.
Starting point is 00:07:49 He was in college forever. We've known him. And yet, for all that you said, Nick, I was shocked. I wasn't as convinced from the preseason or even the first two games. I, perhaps stupidly, was looking at some of the negatives that Troy Aikman talked about during the telecast, that he wasn't always seeing the open receivers. Some of what Cam Taylor Britt talked about before the game, they're not going down the
Starting point is 00:08:17 field at all. It's this stink and dunk offense. It was giving me too much Kyler Murray when it wasn't working in Arizona. of flashbacks of like this offense just it can't just be all horizontal he was a fantastic runner so i was excited i loved all the intangibles but i guess i needed to see this too because it's okay to compare him to 2019 Lamar jackson that is the comparison yeah and for me it is different on some levels but in terms of game style and even this box score for for much of the night that's it I think the difference is, like, that first throw to Terry McLaurin, the bomb to him.
Starting point is 00:08:56 I mean, that was one of the prettiest throws of the entire season. I don't know which Daniel's throw I like better. That's even prettier than Lamar, who doesn't major in, like, deep throws outside the numbers. So they're different in style, but I guess I had to see it tonight that there just is something a little extra about this kid that I think has that whole sideline. You could see it believing. You could see it in the first or second quarter. That really struck me, Nick, how loose and how much fun they were having in the first and second quarter.
Starting point is 00:09:27 It was like, it was like, we've never done anything like this before. This is going to be awesome. Let's think about what this franchise was. I mean, a couple of years ago, they were, Chase Young was pointed at the back of Taylor Heineke's jersey. That was where their hope was coming from. Now they have a legitimate star in the making at quarterback. I know it's only three games, but I'm telling you, I've seen enough to believe that this kid's not, he's going to be around for a long time.
Starting point is 00:09:46 And he's going to continue to make plays like this. and he's going to be a nightmare for opposing defenses. The great thing about, you know, what we saw in that 55-yard completion over Cam Taylor Britt to set them up for the Daniels rushing score was he missed him earlier in that drive. He had him open and ran out of time before he was able to actually hit McLaurin for a long,
Starting point is 00:10:03 but would have been a touchdown. And it kind of spoke to, well, there they are, not getting on the same page. And then, boom, they get on the same page. Boom, Daniel's in the end zone. And what I also think, and you mentioned this with the whole early Kyler Murray and everything else, who was his coach,
Starting point is 00:10:15 Cliff Kingsbury, in life, everything is either a lesson or a blessing. Cliff Kingsbury, I think, has learned a little bit. Even in this first month has learned a little bit because they were a great offense between the 20s, but they couldn't finish drives. And what did they do tonight? Finish drive after drive.
Starting point is 00:10:30 Three straight touchdown drives to start the game. They went perfect throughout the night, didn't have to turn the ball over, didn't have to punt, settle for a field goal once. That was this team tonight. And I think that that's just the maturation of Daniels. It's Cliff settling in and kind of improving in the situations.
Starting point is 00:10:45 And sometimes he needs a little prodding from his, rookie quarterback to hurry up and get the play call in. That is two guys really working in tandem quite well. I'm excited. Terry McLaurin talked about it after the game with SVP. He said, I think this is a momentum shift for us. You know, this is a franchise that's needed that shift for a long time. And in Dan Quinn's first year, only three games in, you never know where something like this could take you. Right. And I love, that's really well said. And I love as we're getting to do these Nick at Night shows together that I'm learning more about you. And I like it when Nick drops the little words of wisdom.
Starting point is 00:11:19 What was that you said about, Cliff? You're either learning or you're dying. Everything in life is either a lesson or a blessing. Somebody told me that in the sauna last week of the gym, and I was like, you know, that's profound. It would have been better if you didn't tell that part of the story. But I love, no, I love it. I think it's just like this hard-earned wisdom
Starting point is 00:11:35 from a guy in Nick Shook, who is wise beyond his years. I love it. Not beyond his hairline that betrayed me years ago. So I mentioned it earlier, but they have gone two straight weeks without being stopped. I think it's 13 straight scoring drives. They also had a kneel down that we're not counting at the end of the first half a week ago. But that's absolutely insane. And I don't want to get it lost in this game that Joe Burrow and the Bengals had a good game.
Starting point is 00:12:11 Not just a good game. They scored. or attempted a field goal. McPherson missed a 47-yard or early, which proved to be, you know, an important moment in the game. They scored every time they had the ball. Joe Burroughs played really well the last couple of weeks. And like, we'll, we'll get to the Bengals in a second.
Starting point is 00:12:34 But I do just want to wrap just on the Washington side, pointing out that they're now first in the league in EPA per drive on the season. I mean, that's going to happen. and there's only been three games, and two of them, they've been almost perfect. McLaurin, who had been so quiet the last few weeks, two just outstanding catches, is getting wide open.
Starting point is 00:12:54 He's been open on tape, and it's really cool to see him when they showed the graphic of all the different quarterbacks he's played with. I was like, Garrett Gilbert. I was like, oh, yeah, that was like a pandemic. Oh, yeah. Was that like a weird pandemic?
Starting point is 00:13:07 Yeah. Frientime game, I think, against the Cowboys. I mean, this kid, I just, I relate so much to Wes in all these games. And I'll mention it in the Bengals side of things they were honoring Corey Dillon. But I remember a Monday night game that we watched actually at an apartment Keisha had with him. The only time he ever lived at Keesha's place, it was the first time he had cancer. And we watched the Washington primetime game with the whole group.
Starting point is 00:13:36 And it was awesome together. And Keisha's mom was there too. And I remember Wes, who was not feeling great at the time, just was like, and I think it was McLaurin's rookie year, he's just like, that kid is going to be special. And it's a position wide receiver, and he just loved McLaren from that moment. Like, it's a receiver position that you're just so reliant on everything around you. And even after the first couple weeks, you had a little worry that maybe this isn't going to work, at least his role in the offense. And suddenly, it feels like one of the great NFL receivers is going to have a great quarterback to match for the next
Starting point is 00:14:07 handful of year as well. He's still kind of towards the end of his prime probably, but still in his prime. Yeah, and that's what's great about a partnership that's really starting to blossom right in front of us. This is like the first step because that's what he's missed for so long. And you knew that that was going to be an essential connection that they would have to, if they were ever going to get to where they want to go, they need to develop that connection. And it is only one game. And I'm sure Terry is going to attract a ton of attention as he rightfully should, because he is the best weapon on this offense. But it was also really nice to see Jaden hook up with other guys. lean on Zachards to find Noah Brown along the goal line to set up a touchdown.
Starting point is 00:14:40 Like it wasn't just Terry finished with four catches, 100 yards. Touchdown. Great. But it wasn't just him. And that's why I actually do believe in this offense because they didn't even run the ball that well. I mean, Jaden finishes as a leading rusher. He had Echler three for 35 and Robinson 16 for a hard-earned 33.
Starting point is 00:14:55 And against a Bengals front that got, you know, torn up by the Patriots in week one, you thought, well, maybe that's where you can make some hay. They didn't even really make that much progress there. And yet that didn't matter because of how good their quarterback is. and because he got on the same page with Terry and was able to spread the ball around. So again, super encouraged. Yeah, that's a great call.
Starting point is 00:15:12 I expected them to run the ball so well. Brian Robinson, who's looked much better. I think this year actually ends up with only 33 yards and 16 carries. Austin Echler, who had a big return to start the second half and really let everyone know after that first half that was so electric by Washington that they weren't going to go away. He leaves with a concussion, which was unfortunate because he's been really reborn in this offense. You mentioned Luke McCaffrey.
Starting point is 00:15:36 I mean, Noah Brown has been a godsend for then, but none of them were as exciting and surprising as Jaden Daniels' first career touchdown throw. Let's listen. Second goal, they brought in an extra offensive lineman under Senator Daniels, got the snap, fakes right, throws left in the end zone, caught. It's caught by alignment in the end zone, and it's grabbed by Trent Scott. The backpedaling, thick six catch, a thick six. The Weinman caught the touchdown pass. It was a yard away. And Washington goes up 27 to 13 early in the second half in Cincinnati.
Starting point is 00:16:18 Oh, shout out to Kevin Harlan there. Great job for Westwood One Radio. And shout out to Mike Golick, Jr., who has to feel like he really accomplished something major in life that he coined Thick Six, and now Kevin Harlan is out there saying it. It's that, as someone who just does what we do, and I know Mike Golick, you know, he was actually, you know, a college player and everything, but as someone that does what we do, I mean, that's, that's the dream to coin something and have Kevin Harland say it on a big time throw. The first ever touchdown pass by Daniels. Yeah, the first ever touchdown pass thrown by a rookie selected in the top five in a draft to an offensive lineman in NFL history. The only other guy to do it, J.P. Lawsman, who connected with Jason Peters. He was the 22nd overall pick Lawsman was. on September 11th, 2005 for the Buffalo Bills. Are we sure Peters was a lineman at that point?
Starting point is 00:17:11 He came into the league as a tight end, but he did switch. I think he switched the lineman next gen. Look at the footage. He's built like a lineman by that point. They're not going to get that run. J.P. Lossman from Tulane. All right, let's get to the Bengals side.
Starting point is 00:17:23 I mentioned Joe Burrow. He was despondent after the game. He was almost uncommunicative. To be 0 and 3, this. Bengals team has Super Bowl aspirations, and they have lost back-to-back home games that couldn't have been any more different. So it's frustrating. They don't know what is their biggest problem. To the Patriots, and now to the commanders, let's listen to Joe. What was frustrating thing about how that played out for you?
Starting point is 00:17:55 Yeah, that was a tough one. So we didn't get the win. Is there anything particular frustrating? I don't think I've ever seen to go inside the office and not a lot of room. It's right. Just a private conversation was that. So he said something here after that that I thought really hit the nail on the head. And it was right after I had filed what we learned. And what sticks out to me through the Bengals through three weeks, and especially tonight, just missed opportunities.
Starting point is 00:18:26 They had red zone opportunities in week one. They fumbled the ball away. They had red zone opportunities tonight. They had to settle for field goals. They missed one of those field goals. And he even spoke to it. He just said the common denominator through three weeks is missed opportunities for our offense. We just have not cashed in.
Starting point is 00:18:41 And in a night like tonight, when your defense cannot get a stop, you have to play almost perfect. And Joe almost did, but they didn't convert in those key moments. And that's what the difference in the scoreboard was. And that's going to be their biggest hurdle. Because as they figure out this defense, Louana Rumo is a venerated defensive coordinator. We know why he's earned it. But they're not generating pressure and they're not playing as a unit as well as they did in past years. So if that's going to be what they're going to be for most of the season,
Starting point is 00:19:06 then the pressure is going to be on that offense, which means they have to cash in consistently, and they just haven't. They got T. Higgins back tonight. He made somewhat of a difference, but they got to be better, and they just weren't tonight. I mean, okay, but they had 30 first downs in this game. And I guess that does point out. They had over 400 yards. Right.
Starting point is 00:19:22 That does point out that they went two for four in the red zone, but two for four in the red zone is fine. That's normal. You shouldn't have to be. Except in a night like this. Right. You have to be perfect. No, I hear your point. And from his perspective,
Starting point is 00:19:33 I get it. That's why he's great. That's why he is who he is. And there were some frustrating moments. They threw the ball on third and goal from the one. And they threw it because they weren't winning in short yardage right then, but they threw a couple times there. And you got to be able to trust your running game. And you got to be able to execute your running game in that situation. Like there was no way Washington was going to give up on the running game if they got stuff once or twice. I mean, they ran the ball better than the commanders tonight. I'm stunned by that. Chase Brown 7 for 62 looked good. Zach Moss, very effective, 12 for 58 in the touchdown. So they ran the ball for 6.2 yards per carry tonight. And so some key decisions where they chose
Starting point is 00:20:15 not to, yeah, you could look back, but it's all on the defense. And this defense, you can say what you want about Lou Anirumo. They stunk last year. Their run defense is so bad. And then they lose DJ Reader, their best run defender. And then this season, to injury, they've lost B.J. Hell and Sheldon Rankin. So you had a defense that was set up to defend a certain way against a certain team, frankly, the Chiefs. And in 2024, in Nick Shooks, run the damn ball season, they're not quite set up the same way. I've been thinking about this as this season develops that the defenses, and the bears I would throw in there too, that are like built to stop the pass? Like, that's great. You still obviously want to do that. But there's kind of a
Starting point is 00:21:05 breaking point where if you're a soft run defense, this was a terrible matchup for them. And I know they ended up stopping the run and everything and it ended up, but the run set up the pass. And still, Jane Daniels was extremely effective what he did run in terms of picking up the yards that he needed. And maybe they're not quite built for, for 2024. Nick shook football. Yeah, well, what I'm really concerned about is the pressure numbers were so low. And the Blitz number were so low until late. I mean, like, I took a quick look at the stats right after the game because I'm like, I felt like they didn't get home all night, and they didn't.
Starting point is 00:21:38 They pressured, the numbers were so low. I mean, they pressured at seven pressures the whole night, 21.9%. That's not going to get the job done. But they only blitzed 10 times. And I think three or four of them came on that last possession. So strategically, do you not believe in your defense enough to be able to blitz? Like, you'd think a rookie quarterback, what's the number one thing you do to a rookie quarterback?
Starting point is 00:21:55 You speed him up. How do you speed him up? You blitz him. I know he's a mobile guy and he's going to evade guys. but, I mean, send the pressure if you're that desperate, and yet they didn't. So I think there's going to be a little bit of soul searching done with this Bengals defense and with Lou Anirumo and trying to figure out, like, how do we fix this? If we're going to face a team that may not even run the ball that well,
Starting point is 00:22:14 but we got to get after, and we can't get after the quarterback, we got to manufacture it somehow. So very curious to see how they evolve over the course of the season, because if this holds for a long time, they're going to be a tough spot. Yeah, you know, I highly suspect they did the sort of the Belichick thing where you're playing a runner like this and, you know, they're focused on trying to not let Jaden Daniels out the gate and the rush is a little more control.
Starting point is 00:22:39 That's a big focus of it. But Hendrickson, like you said, didn't get home all night and Sam Hubbard's been quiet this year. And they're just a little thin. They have a lot of money to a handful of guys. And I think they honestly just trusted their guys in one-on-one coverage because other than McLaurin,
Starting point is 00:22:57 no one scares you. But the Washington scheme got them wide open. I mean, I'd love to see the average separation because there weren't a ton of tight. Like there wasn't a ton of tight window throws. Those two ones to McLaurin, sure, on the go balls, those are going to be tight. But otherwise, those guys were open. Cliff did a great job. I mean, Cliff has a history, not to pour a little water on it, but his Arizona teams consistently started so fast.
Starting point is 00:23:24 We were talking Kyler MVP a couple times. like the numbers were dramatic. Weirdly, it was similar at Texas Tech that his teams would start super fast and then fall off. It was like a thing. So this is one thing to think about, but he is starting fast.
Starting point is 00:23:39 And I like that they had a very different game plan tonight than they have the first couple of weeks. The Bengals have lost three straight. They have a long road. It's a long season. You get one extra game now. We're still getting used to that. That helps.
Starting point is 00:23:54 You got the Panthers next week. That helps. but, you know, you're going to start into the division scheduled. I think the Ravens are after that. And, you know, just every game is going to feel so big. And they are only the seventh team since 1990 to lose three straight to start the season by six or less. So they've all been close.
Starting point is 00:24:11 I mean, they gave that Patriots game away. That was just a dumb game where they made a bunch of boneheaded mistakes. The Chiefs game, they should have won. And they didn't, they blew it at the end, but they should have won that game. the outplay, the Chiefs, and then this one where they just couldn't stop a nosebleed, it's adding up. And we'll close here on a night in terms of this game. We got a whole other game to talk about, Chuck, in terms of this game, on a night where
Starting point is 00:24:40 they honored Corey Dillon, I couldn't help but think, first of all of Wes again, one of his absolute favorite players, Corey Dillon, one of my favorite Patriots of all time, Cory Dillon, one of my favorite runners. What a natural instinct of hard running. You can't measure how hard a runner runs. I swear, no one ran harder than Cory Dylan. My God, I mean, just the tenacity that he played with was electric. And he was a special player, and they honored him tonight.
Starting point is 00:25:14 And I thought that was great, considering the way it all ended. And the way it ended with Cincinnati, it was a contract dispute and all this stuff, Mike Brown not wanting to pay. And it's one of the many things that was in. Wes's dossier of why he gave up being a Bengals fan. And I couldn't help but think that in context with what's going on with this team. The Jemar Chase thing was weird. I listened to Paul Dainer's podcast, The Growler, people should check that out.
Starting point is 00:25:40 That week where they didn't get the contract done after the week, one of the season, it felt like a big loss. Like Jbar Chase felt like he lost. The Bengals felt like they lost. There were some weird stuff going on behind the scenes. Like, it was really disappointing. They thought they were going to get that done. It didn't get done.
Starting point is 00:25:56 Their best player wasn't happy. They weren't happy. The T. Higgins thing is out there. He comes back in this game. And I'm not saying that's the reason why they lost tonight. But I am saying like history is instructive. It wasn't all like these great Dan Quinn vibes like the Washington has coming into this season. It was like a heaviness.
Starting point is 00:26:17 And the stuff you don't want to be dealing with with your best players. Tray Hendrickson asked for a trade, you know, in the offseason. It's just like it's a little too much same old Bengals for me, and it's hard not to think about that when you see Corey Dillon's name go up and when you start O and 3. Yeah, and Corey Dillon had an issue with the team himself before they finally reversed course and inducted him to their Ring of Honor. Right, that's what I mean.
Starting point is 00:26:40 It was going on for 20 years, and the only reason he wasn't there was the issues that he had with Mike Brown back in the day. There's a bit of like a last dance vibe here, but not with like they're going to go on to win the title, but just like, you know, you have all this money. into these stars. You know, T. Higgins is under the franchise tag. Probably not going to be there next year. You know, you got to pay Jamar Chase. The pressure is mounting. And the beauty of the Bengals before was, we had Joe Burrow on a rookie contract. We had all these young stars that were playing
Starting point is 00:27:03 alongside each other. Everybody was playing well together. It doesn't feel like that anymore. I know it's early, but it just doesn't feel like that right now. No. Time moves on. And they're not that young, up-and-coming team anymore with the whole life in front of them. That's the Washington Commanders and Jaden Daniels right now. And look, Joe Burroughs just start. Javier Chase just starting his prime. I'm not saying like windows are closing. It's nothing like that. But this season that they're in right now, it's heavy. And Zach Taylor absolutely feels it. We feel it. And there's another team that that's feeling it that we're going to talk about after the break, Bills, Jags, Recap, and then a little bit of injury news coming up in a bit.
Starting point is 00:27:52 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.
Starting point is 00:28:12 It's the kind of conversation that connects the dots, from college football prospects to the NFL stars of tomorrow. We break down the draft, analyze matchups, and evaluate how teams. put it all together on game day. Plus, we dig in the coaching strategies, roster construction, and the trends that shape the league year after year. Whether you're a diehard fan or just
Starting point is 00:28:32 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.
Starting point is 00:28:50 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.
Starting point is 00:29:05 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 Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. Toyota, the official automotive partner of the NFL. Visit Toyota.com slash NFL now to learn more. I'm Marcus Grant. And I'm Michael Florio, and together we host the NFL fantasy football podcast. Ready to dominate your fantasy league this season?
Starting point is 00:29:40 Then you need the NFL fantasy football podcast, your ultimate source for player news, draft tips, and winning strategies. Whether you're a rookie manager or a fantasy vet. We've got the insight to help you crush your opponent. Listen to the NFL fantasy football podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Toyota, the official automotive partner of the NFL. Visit Toyota.com slash NFL now to learn more. Two receivers to the right, along with the tight end, one to the left, and now knocks in motion, right to left.
Starting point is 00:30:14 Here's the snap, back to pass, pressure coming, throws, has Ty Johnson for a touchdown, a six. 13-yard touchdown reception for Ty Johnson and Josh Allen has four touchdown passes in the first half. Are you kidding me? We are not kidding you. Chris Brown of WGR. Josh Allen was on one Monday night. Four touchdowns in the first half of this game, 247 yards in the first half of this game. By that point, the score was 34 to 3, and the game was over. I mean, this is, like, hey, if you're a beat writer, you love a game like this.
Starting point is 00:31:00 You're writing at halftime, you barely have to update that thing because the story was told, and that throw, to me, shook was typical. Here's Josh Allen fading to his left, feathering a beautiful ball over a stumbling, bumbling Jaguars linebacker. who was that, Muma, Chad Muma, and he hits his like backup running back, like his third string running back, Ty Johnson, and it's just an absolute thing of beauty that he makes look so easy. Yeah, throwing it over Chad Muma, that's Wyoming on Wyoming crime, by the way.
Starting point is 00:31:35 Ooh, I love that. How dare you, Josh Allen, take out one of your fellow cowboys? Yeah, this is just another example of an offense that is just absolutely blossoming before our eyes. Like, it makes me think back to the Ken Dorsey era with the Bills and where we are now, with Joe Brady and I'm just like, how did they stay in that for so long? Because it's just so much better. Obviously, like in the first couple of weeks, it was about the running game and it's still predicated on the run. But you have Josh Allen back there. And you're not asking him to also lead
Starting point is 00:32:00 the running game. He can just go be himself. There was a period in the first half where he was getting out to his right and ripping missiles for touchdowns. And I heard the broadcast crew just talk about like, where do you not want to let him escape to, to his right. And that's where the Jaguars were let him go. He could do whatever he wanted on Monday night. It's a thing of beauty. The bills are absolutely rolling. And you're right. This is one of those games where like beat writers could just sit back and kick their legs up in the second half. My write-up's done. I know what happened here. Let's get Mac Jones some time for the Jags. Let's get Ray Davis some carries. This one's over. Yeah, by the end, Mack Jones was getting strip sacked. And I'm just having flashbacks to
Starting point is 00:32:36 some ugly Patriots afternoons and discuss that in therapy. Even a playoff game in Buffalo, although Mac Jones wasn't really the problem in that particular game. That was another game where a team did not punt or turn the ball over. But it wasn't both teams, like in the Washington game. My God, this Bill's team. So they did something only one other Bill's team had ever done, which was score four straight touchdowns to start the game in a row. I was surprised only one team had ever done that,
Starting point is 00:33:05 but it is hard to do four straight without even a field goal. And you mentioned, like, he's not killing them with his legs, but it's still the most effective play in football. I like to bring this up that. Just by success rate, there is nothing higher than a Josh Allen run. And he went six for 44 to-night. The success rate, so that's defined as it depends which down it is. Obviously, a first down is a successful play.
Starting point is 00:33:31 I think it's four yards on first down. It depends on the down and distance. He had three third-down conversion shook that really stick in my mind from the first half. One was a designed run. Actually, two of them were design runs, and then one was a scramble. And it's just like, no matter what you do, if you cover them up, you're screwed. If you spread out and you're in zone, in man coverage, you're screwed. Then he calls a design run and he just goes up the middle.
Starting point is 00:33:59 And now he's actually being smart about it. He's sliding. And it reminded me actually these two runners tonight, Jane Daniels, too, his success rate on the runs he had in the game was sky high. And it's been sky high throughout the season. it's just that little extra something that makes a quarterback like Alan who's at the absolute peak of his powers my MVP pick is feeling pretty good
Starting point is 00:34:21 my Super Bowl picks feeling good it's week three but you know I still like it but it's just one of those things that you don't know how to stop them were you the only one who did that who picked the bills? I don't know I got to check you might have on NFL.com
Starting point is 00:34:32 I should check. Might have been on Bill's Island by yourself. Let's go. Let's go. And that's why the NFL has shifted in this direction over the last decade the running ability of quarterbacks makes it so hard to prepare for an offense
Starting point is 00:34:44 as a defense. It makes it so hard to predict what they're going to do. And especially when you have a running game that you have to respect that doesn't involve the quarterback. As soon as you mix that quarterback into the element, it's that much more difficult to stop them. The bills are firing on all cylinders. The funny thing is that so much of this offseason we spent talking
Starting point is 00:35:00 about how are they going to replace Stefan Diggs? They lost Gabe Davis. Khalil Shakir, Mack Hollins, Dalton Kincaid, Ty Johnson. Kion Coleman has one catch for 24 yards for a touchdown tonight. Otherwise, didn't need to do anything else. They put up 47 points on the board.
Starting point is 00:35:14 It doesn't matter because they can go anywhere because they're firing on all cylinders. I don't even know if I mentioned. The final score was 47 to 10. The second half was such an afterthought. Like many people, by the fourth quarter, I just have it in a small screen in the corner, just loosely paying attention to Mitchell Tribeschi
Starting point is 00:35:30 get into the game. But yeah, you mentioned it. Like Coleman is wide receiver 5 now because he didn't, at least for this game, it's probably a game plan thing, but he was behind Valdez Scantling and Matt Collins and Curtis Samuel and Shakir. And then they just put him in for like one play and he's talented enough. He can win those one-on-one situation.
Starting point is 00:35:50 So they find a role for him. But you mentioned Shakir, 72 yards, touchdown. He had more yards after the catch than he had yards. That's how many, like, because he had a play where he made a big play that he caught behind the line of scrimmage. And everything else is just, he's a great runner with the ball. He reminds me a lot of Cole Beasley, just a perfect guy to add to this offense. James Cook drops what would have been a 40-yard touchdown. Of course, they score later that drive anyway, so Josh Allen got his.
Starting point is 00:36:22 But James Cook gets 87 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown has been about as consistent in terms of his success rate as any running back in the league. This offensive line is awesome. And I wasn't just picking them just because like, yeah, whatever. It was like Josh Allen is at the peak of. of his powers, and he has the best offensive line he's ever had, and they've got enough around him. Like, that just seems like a year where I don't want to pick the chiefs. I'm sick of picking the chiefs. I've got to pick someone else that it could happen. And they're a long, long way
Starting point is 00:36:51 from making it happen. But it's really positive that they can take advantage of bad defenses. And I think the Jaguars defense right now is bad. They lost Jerry and Jones, who's a rookie cornerback. They are now down three of their top corners. They're nickel Darnel Savage, their top cornerback Tyson Campbell. So there are reasons for this. And the bills have had a relatively easy schedule in terms of the defenses that they played. But whatever, that's what great teams do. They beat up on bad defenses. Yeah, I mean, we went into this game with Washington, Cincinnati. Washington was the worst defense the NFL last year. And look what happened. You know, like, it didn't really. Yeah, I mean, they put up a ton of points, but at the same time, they still weren't
Starting point is 00:37:26 able to win that game. So like, we can, you have to say that with a grain of salt because you still have to go win that game. It's just, it's so amazing to see them doing this, yes, against some bad defenses earlier or whatever, but to do it so early in the season when we just had so much worry about where they were going to be. Like you said, it's all Josh Allen. And now I just wonder, like, can they assist?
Starting point is 00:37:46 I want to see them tested. That's what I want to see them tested. Because these games are great and they make the fans happy and everything else, but I want to see them test. I've got a game for you next Sunday night. How do they do it? NBC, I mean, look, all the primetime games are great.
Starting point is 00:38:00 The ESPN didn't look like it was going to be a great game tonight, Washington, Cincinnati, necessarily. that ended up being one of the best games of the year. So you never know. But NBC always just seems to have that stroke of luck. And they got Ravens' bills next week, which to me is perfect. I know the Ravens are one and two. They're also like third or fourth in overall DVOA. Like they are better than their record shows and they are the Ravens. And that is a great matchup next week. Keep an eye on that. One note I had was Spencer Brown, the right tackle who just got a contract extension, has faced the most amount of dropbacks without giving up a pressure all year. So they're
Starting point is 00:38:34 getting great protection on the right side. Trevor Lawrence can't say the same. My God, it wasn't all on the offensive line, but it's been partly on the offensive line all year. They have not been able to run block. They have not been able to pass block. And they had run three plays by the time they were down 14-0. So they had a three-and-out their first possession. By the time they get the second possession, they're down 14-0. And you could almost see Trevor Lawrence panic. He did not play. well in this game. His stats at halftime, 10 for 21, 51 yards, and an interception, and an overthrow on that interception. It was better than last week. I think he was 5 for 15 or 5 for 16
Starting point is 00:39:17 for 15 yards by halftime. They're in a bad spot offensively right now. And this started last year, honestly, watching Trevor week to week, it was as if, you know, I heard them talking about on the broadcast and it kind of made sense where he's trying to make the perfect play. And it was just like near misses all year and this year it's just getting worse like he has a guy open over the middle of the field early third quarter and he misses him throwing it low bounces it off the ground he makes some nice throws he ripped another one nice a nice pass down the scene but it's just too inconsistent and this was my fear I knew they had to pay him because they believe he's the guy and they were in a situation where they had to pay him but I just wonder if he's ever
Starting point is 00:39:52 going to take that next step and behind an offensive line like this it really concerns you like if you look at some of the next gen numbers he was five for 10 against pressure for 29 yards but he also had 28 attempts where he wasn't pressured, and he threw a pick when he wasn't pressured. So that, of course, that pick being DeMar Hamlin. Highlight moment, by the way, for a guy like DeMar, who is traveling an incredible road back. Really cool scene to see on prime time. He gets his first career interception in Buffalo.
Starting point is 00:40:15 That was really nice. But yeah, Trevor, man, bad spot. And, I mean, they're struggling. Like, it's only week three, and you don't start looking at coaching jobs and everything else really at this point. Oh, no, you can. God, I'm worried about Doug Peterson's job because I just don't. see any signs it's going to get better. Oh, no, you can. Here's a quote from Shod Khan, the team
Starting point is 00:40:37 owner. Now, this was as part of a team documentary that they released. And it was actually a message to his players in the building. And he said, I met, this was like him kind of confirming some things he had said recently. He said, I met with the reporters and the discussion quickly turned to football. and I was quoted saying, for us, winning is now the expectation. So really, I've been looking forward tonight to set the record straight. I was not misquoted. And let me just repeat, winning now is the expectation. Make no mistake, this is the best team assembled by the Jacksonville Jaguars ever.
Starting point is 00:41:18 Best players, best coaches, but most importantly, let's prove it by winning now. And to me, that sort of quote, and the quotes that he said to the reporters that like winnings the expectation, they have to win now, that is a clear message to Doug Peterson and it informs something I heard last week. John Shipley, who does a great daily podcast on the Jaguars with SI, said Doug Peterson was about as down in his press conference after their loss last week. as he's ever seen him. That he's usually very, you know, upbeat and afterwards talking positively. And, you know, just, he just sounded like a little, a little defeated. Like, he didn't know what the answers were. And so I was thinking about that press conference and then watching a team that
Starting point is 00:42:15 looked completely defeated tonight. And, yeah, it's only week three, but they're winless. And, like, they got to have, like, ten. nine or 10 wins this year or else he's losing his job. So just do the math. Yeah. Now I'm wondering, do we get an I'm Pissed Angelo situation like we did in Philly before he got fired by the Eagles? Because if he doesn't have that much like energy in him responding this early in the season, I feel like he's not going to have it at that point in the season when it actually gets really dire. Not saying it's going to, but as it looks right now,
Starting point is 00:42:45 it's certainly trending that way. Right. And you remember Lawrence after last week games and like, we just suck right now. And yeah, you suck tonight too. That interception was typical. It points out my problem that I've had with Lawrence, other than like, he just seems to be missing something in terms of, I don't know whether it's processing or intangibles of just like not always putting together making the right decisions at the right moments,
Starting point is 00:43:11 that it's just like a little uneven. But the main thing I've had the problem with because I used to do it charting QB index is just, he misses way more throws than top tier quarterbacks than you would expect for him. He just, he'll just miss like three or four a game. And he makes so many great throws that you don't get it. And, like, that interception was one of them.
Starting point is 00:43:28 Like, he just misses throws. His completion percentage over-expected coming into this game was third or fourth worst in the entire NFL. And it's probably only getting worse after this. Yeah, and that's my biggest concern when they paid him. I was like, are you sure? Because that's what showed up last year as well. The occasional misses the inconsistency
Starting point is 00:43:46 and it seems like it's just getting exacerbated through three weeks this year. That's just not a good... That's supposed to be the guy's supposed to scare your offense. And it's just not happening right now. I feel bad for guys like Brian Thomas, who he could be leaned on, you know, like a Malik Neighbors is with Daniel Jones in New York, but they can't even get the ball there because they're just so dysfunctional offensively right now.
Starting point is 00:44:05 Yeah, they had a sequence where they had the ball in the seven-yard line. False start, incomplete pass, drop, false start, sack. They ended up on the 27-yard line. It's just like... It's bad football. It's rough. The lines are bad. the pass rush actually has been their one
Starting point is 00:44:25 saving grace usually but in this game like I mentioned the bills just dominated up front Josh Heinz Allen one pressure out of 26 rushes their best player Trouin Walker the number one overall pick
Starting point is 00:44:39 who's played pretty well this season zero pressures Arrick Armstead the big free agent pick up one pressure and yeah that's just it's just a rough night let's let's end this recap on a positive note you mentioned the Damar Hamlin
Starting point is 00:44:53 interception. What an awesome moment. Let's take a listen. One receiver to each side and the two tight end look. Here's the snap, picks the handoff, going to roll to his left, has time, throws deep over the middle. He overshoots Thomas intercepted by DeMar Hamlin. Coming the other way to the 45 as he races to the far sideline and is tackled at the 41 yard line by Farrell. It's an I&T. And another takeaway for the Buffalo defense. This time, Damar Hamlin. That is awesome. The crowd there. Case and point right there.
Starting point is 00:45:27 Like, if you look at that footage right there, that's everything you need to know. Like, Thomas has four yards of separation on both sides of him, and he just misses him over the head by three or four yards too high. Great moment for Damar Hamlin. And all you need to know with the reaction from the teammates and the crowd, that sneaky, just one of the most electric moments that that stadium is going to have all year. because when he got over to the sideline, just like the teammates,
Starting point is 00:45:56 and he said it after the game with Laura Rutledge, who did a good job on the interview, just saying, like, hey, see, and them, they were even more excited for me than I was for myself. And she asked him sort of just, how do you process this? Because he's having a good season.
Starting point is 00:46:10 He's starting. They're playing really good defense. Like his coverage numbers, for what you want to put into that from PFF are outstanding. And more importantly, they're just not giving up. up big plays, and that's, you know, his priority number one. And yes, she asked him, like, how do you process, like, a night like this? And then he gave very honest answers. Like,
Starting point is 00:46:31 everything that's going on with me is like, I'm still in the middle of processing it, honestly. Just like, it's a day-to-day thing. And he, it's still not that far away when he was in Cincinnati. And for him to be out there, it's amazing. Yeah, you know, they cut to that during the Bengals commanders game. And Buck and Aikman mentioned that the last, last time they were in the booth in Cincinnati was the game in which, you know, everything happened. And I mean, that's fitting. I know that obviously the Bill's game isn't taking place in Cincinnati, but the fact that that game was also on. Like, that just tells you, we are not that far removed from it. And what a story, man. And he's, like you said, he's playing
Starting point is 00:47:06 well. He's probably just, he probably wakes up every day and thinks like, man, I'm lucky to be here. And now look, I'm starting in the NFL and I'm delivering. It's awesome. He said, he said, I'm just so glad that I'm a bill, I'm a Buffalo bill that this is the perfect place for me. I'm so happy to be there right now. That was the Bills. That was the Jaguars. Bills moved to 3 and 0. Jaguars at 0 and 3.
Starting point is 00:47:29 I'll see you in a few weeks, Jaguars. Let's get some wins before I see that Jags Bears game. Okay? It's not over. Please. We can respond. Let's take a quick break. We're going to come back with some news in our players of the week.
Starting point is 00:47:50 what's up everybody daniel jeremiah here and i'm bucky brooks on move the sticks we take you inside the game from scouting reports and player development to team building philosophies coaching trends and how front offices construct winning rosters every week we study the tape talk to decision makers and share the insights you won't find anywhere else is the kind of conversation that connects the dots from college football prospects to the NFL stars of tomorrow We break down the draft, analyze matchups, and evaluate how teams put it all together on game day. Plus, we dig in the coaching strategies, roster construction, and the trends that shape the league year after year. Whether you're a diehard fan or just love understanding the game on a deeper level, we give you the full picture. If you want insight that goes beyond the box score, this podcast is for you. Don't miss it. Listen to the Move the Six podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, this is Matt Jones.
Starting point is 00:48:54 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.
Starting point is 00:49:11 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. I'm Marcus Grant. And I'm Michael Fiorio, and together we host the NFL Fantasy Football Podcast. Ready to dominate your fantasy league this season?
Starting point is 00:49:42 Then you need the NFL Fantasy Football Podcast, your ultimate source for player news, draft tips, and winning strategies. whether you're a rookie manager or a fantasy vet. We've got the insight to help you crush your opponents. Listen to the NFL Fantasy Football Podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Toyota, the official automotive partner of the NFL. Visit Toyota.com slash NFL now to learn more.
Starting point is 00:50:14 Back on NFL Daily. Hey, there's a whole league out there, Nick. not just these four teams and a lot happened on Monday that we found out so let's do some news okay so there was a lot of injury news today but there weren't
Starting point is 00:50:32 like huge huge headlines for the most part to me the thing that struck me the most was that Sam Darnold's fine it's crazy that we're at this point in the season it's crazy that I'm at this point in the season because I get so annoyed by the Darnold Hive and look I got to give it up to him he's just playing good football right now that I was really relieved
Starting point is 00:50:48 And I thought the biggest story going into the day is how serious is this Sam Darnold injury. And it sounds like he's going to be fine. They had an MRI and he's expected to play this week. And it's just a bruise. So Vikings, one of the five undefeated teams along with the bills, they're going to be fine. Bullet dodged. And it's a good one for the Vikings. All the vibes are very good in Minneapolis right now.
Starting point is 00:51:10 And a lot of it has to do with Sam Darnold. So keeping him on the field, fantastic news. I will say I did a deep dive. I watched Darnell closely. He's playing really good. There are some, like, everything's really good around him, too. He's really good, like, under two and a half seconds. I thought Sunday was a step forward for him in a major way
Starting point is 00:51:32 because actually he did better holding the ball and plays in rhythm. And that's more what you got to see because those numbers haven't been as strong. The numbers against pressure or anything like that haven't been as strong. But play action, they're through the roof. Quick decisions are getting guys open.
Starting point is 00:51:47 And he's avoiding the big mistake, which is absolutely massive. So that is awesome because what a value loss that would be if Darnel went away because it's a big drop to their next quarterback who would be. Who would it be? It would be Nick Mullins. Yeah, not good. Yeah, Javon Hargrave. Man, this came out of nowhere.
Starting point is 00:52:05 It's going to miss the rest of the season. The 49ers defensive tackle, their big signing in Free Agency a year ago, who had a great game on Sunday in a league. losing effort against the Rams, a ton of pressures is out. And yeah, that's a huge loss for a 49ers defense. I'm going to talk about a little bit more on our next show with Jordan Rodriguez and Colleen Wolf, but that has not been playing well. No, it hasn't been playing well. And they also got a little thinner on the defensive line. They let Javon Kinlaw walk in the offseason. They replaced him Jordan Elliott, former Brown. And I mean, look, man, you lost two in a row. It's just, that's just not good
Starting point is 00:52:44 news right now. No. And they don't rotate as much as they used to. It's a torn triceps that knocked him out for the season. And they're really counting on Bosa to dominate. And when he has games like he did against the Rams where he was just like, good, but not amazing, it shows up. More injury news in Los Angeles this time. Joe Alt, the Chargers' first round pick at tackle is going to miss some time. That's a surprise because he did finish. the game. I didn't even know anything was wrong with him, although he did give up a late sack to T.J. Watt, maybe that was part of it. I don't think he could extend. So he's going to miss sometime. They have a bye week coming up, which also could inform how they handle Justin Herbert.
Starting point is 00:53:27 X-rays were negative on his ankle. Roshan Slater and Joey Bosa, Slater with a pectoral injury, Bosa with a hip injury. Also could be out. It's uncertain how long, but if you were making a list of the Chargers' best players, that's a bunch of them. Another person that would be on it would be Derwin James. who is suspended for this game against the Chiefs. Like, maybe it's like a fantasy football league situation where I always was of the mind, like, it's fine to have all your guys on the same bi-week.
Starting point is 00:53:57 Just try to win that week. You might win anyways, but just take the L that one week if you have to. That's like the Chargers this week. Like, all their good players are going to be out. Well, we thought that was the approach of the Rams and they came out and beat the 49ers. But yeah, that's a good point. It's bad because what the story was last year
Starting point is 00:54:12 and why they went and spent, you know, a pick on Joe Alt was because they couldn't keep Justin Herbert protected. Now he's dinged up with that ankle, which is really concerning. I know that we're still kind of awaiting what's going to happen with that, but like, he's clearly not mobile, and then you lose both your tackles. Suddenly you're right back where you were last year, and it's only week four. So it's definitely a concerning situation for them right now. Yeah, and for all the people that complain about the Chiefs getting the breaks, you're not going to enjoy Sunday's Chargers game with Trey Pipkins blocking. for Taylor Heineke and whoever is back there.
Starting point is 00:54:47 One and a half speed. One and a half speed. Although, frankly, the secondary is the least of my concern. This Chargers' defense is playing really well. They're a good group overall. But yeah, they have the biweek. Like I said, in week five. It might just be a take your medicine situation all around
Starting point is 00:55:02 and then come back in week six at two and two. The Ravens were in the news, signing Unique and Gakway. This is just like the most Ravens news ever. They need a little more juice up front. I thought that a defensive line has played pretty well, but they get a pure pass rusher. Can't really stop the run. It's just such a Raven signing.
Starting point is 00:55:20 In the division, the Steelers lost Troy Faultano for the season. It's just something I wish I mentioned on our show Sunday. It was news that happened we didn't know about until the weekend, but he's on injured reserve. He is not coming back. He suffered the injury at practice. Been a lot of practice injuries. That's brutal for a team that just benched Broderick.
Starting point is 00:55:42 Jones, their first round pick, and now they got to put him back in the lineup, he could be back for the playoffs, according to Ian Rabbitport. That was the update from Monday. So if they make the playoffs, and at 3-0, they have every reason to think they might. He might be back by then, but that's cutting it close. Yeah, historically, Dan Moore has not fared well. That's one of the tackles that they're going to have to rely on. So I'm a little concerned about that, but it is a little bit easier to bear when you are 3-0. Just keep an eye out, Steelers fans. If the protection starts to break down, the offense changes a little bit. That's going to be your reason why.
Starting point is 00:56:13 It's been bad. It's been like really bad. I would say their offensive line is bottom, man, there's so many bad offensive lines. There's no way they're outside of the bottom quarter of the league, which is eight teams. There's no way. They're in that group. It might be bottom four or five. Like, I know there's a bunch of bad offensive lines, but they're one of them.
Starting point is 00:56:31 And they're not really playing well. They got the run game going at the end of last week's game, but they've been overcoming that with defense and good play by fields and the skills. position players. The Raiders surprised me. Antonio Pierce, just, I love a coach that is not afraid to just say something. And
Starting point is 00:56:49 yeah, he talked on Monday about possibly changing quarterbacks. Well, I just think, you know, you look at how the game went. We're down by two scores or so. But Aiden, and come in and see what he could do
Starting point is 00:57:03 with the offense, move it. We're just trying to look for a spark. Did that mean anything going forward? Or is it still? the guy. I think we've got to give with the players and just evaluate everything from yesterday first. Usually when a coach says that, it's bad news. And yet
Starting point is 00:57:18 literally an hour or two later, the athletic Vic Taffer, who's been on this show before reported, it's going to be Gardner Minchu. Which is just kind of funny to me. Yeah, well, I mean, I watched this game back today and I was like, I mean, Gardner wasn't like awful, awful, like benching.
Starting point is 00:57:34 No, he was fine. Yeah, he was fine. I thought that that was people jumping to conclusions based on the result. I thought he was fine. It would be unnecessary to make that change right now. No, it sounded like a coach who was like still mad that his defense got dog walked up and down the field. Like Gardner Minchu has played better than you could have expected, especially after what we heard in training camp all season. I mean, he has like one play a week that's just truly mystifying, but he's played better than I would expect it. I think he's played better this year than he did on average with the Colts last year so far. So it will be Minchu still
Starting point is 00:58:07 according to the athletic. But Pierce was also asked about that comment where he said he's going to have to make some business decisions about his players too. After the game, you talked about the Raiders having to make business decisions. Have you made any of those yet? No, we haven't.
Starting point is 00:58:22 No, we haven't. Got to give it the players first. Obviously, a lot was made of that comment, you know, national media-wise this morning. I guess if you, as you think about it, are you happy that you pointed it out? I don't bite my tone. Oh, yes, sir. I like it. Honesty. Refreshing.
Starting point is 00:58:40 It's only the media. It's like, people now are so careful. Back in the, you know, back in, it wasn't back in my day. It's more like reading some of these books behind me, the Paul Zimmerman books and the great history books here. Man, they were always trash talking the hell out of the other players like in the other teams. Partly because the news like didn't ever get to them until like weeks later by carrier pigeon. It's like, oh yeah, we saw it in the paper like three days. later, like, but sometimes a big deal is. But they were trust. They were, they were, they were talking, they were talking their ish when there was this to be talked. So I like
Starting point is 00:59:15 Antonio Pierce, a bit of a throwback. Just some other very quick injury news I'll throw out there. Marcus Davenport, pass rusher for the lines is out for the season. Man, bad luck in terms of injuries for him and elbow injury. And they kind of needed him. They're not that deep in terms of their pass rushers. Derek Barnes, who's a good linebacker for them, is going to be out a while. your Brown's got good news on Miles Garrett day-to-day after an MRI. Was his ankle or his foot? It's his foot. It's listed his feet. Sorry, that's not to cut you off there because the Wyatt-Teller news is more concerning,
Starting point is 00:59:48 considering their offensive line has not played well through three weeks. But Miles Garrett is feet, not foot but feet. And I know your feet are important because he does look a step slow. And I know it was good news. I'm not buying it. I would wait to see the next few weeks because he's not quite there. Wait a second here. wait a second.
Starting point is 01:00:06 He housed Andrew Thomas in that game. When I, that was my, that was the first game I watched. I don't know why. I was just like. Why would you do that to yourself? Well, I like to, when I get home Sunday,
Starting point is 01:00:18 and I sometimes like to bang out a game that I don't think it's going to be that good. Just is like, I don't know why. Because after the blur of Sundays, that game that I try to knock out, because I try to get through all these games eventually, sometimes I like almost have hard time
Starting point is 01:00:34 remembering it. And I write down all the notes so I can remember it. But it's like, I usually throw like a mediocre game in that spot because I want to like be fresher and enjoy the games later. So I was like, let's see some Deshaun Watson slop and some surprisingly fun Daniel Jones early. But I thought Miles Garrett played great in that game. He kind of housed Andrew Thomas over and over, which is hard to do, you know. He did. He did. But he's not getting that last half step to get home. He's getting really close. He's getting the pressures. He's not getting the sacks. And that's the difference for me because if you just watch him year over year. He's been much faster than he is
Starting point is 01:01:06 right now. Fair. The strength is there, because there was one way where he sort of carried Thomas who's one of the best players in the league in his like 310 pounds. Like, on his shoulder a little bit. Yeah, he got that bend. Yeah. He got a holding call. He's 1-1, man. He is. He is.
Starting point is 01:01:22 He's a freak. Yeah, Teller is going to miss a month. A starting guard. Their tackles, they thought they were going to get back on Sunday. Wills comes back. He gets hurt. Conklin's still hurt. It's just, it's a disaster. John's got smoked all game too just getting beat with speed it's not a good situation for them there's some teams in some rough situations i don't think there's anywhere anyone worse than the
Starting point is 01:01:47 browns i guess the jaguards would be worse because the browns at least have some hope that the defense is going to do something but i think just globally not good at least the jaguars can convince themselves they have a quarterback long term globally i'm very worried about the browns One of the toughest or easiest experiences for me is Mondays when I go to the gym, when I work my split shift on the news in the morning, go to the gym, come back for Monday night football because all the people of my gym are Browns fans and they all like to come up to me one by one and talk about the game.
Starting point is 01:02:18 And today it was just, oh man, that was really ugly. What happened? And I'm like, dude, they're not a good football team. They have a good defense and that's it. And it's going to get worse before it gets better, I think. That is rough. And yeah, the last just little item of injury news, Chidobia, Wuzier. The cornerback for the Titans was a big free agent signing, is a candidate from IR.
Starting point is 01:02:41 Actually, one last thing I did want to mention just on the 49ers was that Kyle Shanahan said that Christian McCaffrey went to Germany to have his Achilles to the Ninus examine, which... That's not good. I feel like it's never a good sign. No. Never a good sign. A little worrisome Christian McCaffrey. this 49ers team. It's not really happening for them.
Starting point is 01:03:06 All right, that's it for the news. We did the recaps, but we're not saying goodbye until we do the Captain Morgan's. Players of the week, it is time for the captain's corner presented by Captain Morgan. I'll let you get us going, Nick.
Starting point is 01:03:21 All right, let's pour an extra strong one here. Instead of two fingers, we're going to go three fingers in this one. And it's in honor of the red rifle. Andy Dalton, you might call me going chalk here? That's fine. I don't care. The guy sits in the bench
Starting point is 01:03:32 except for one game last year. He's on the bench behind Bryce Young again. He gets the call, and he maximizes his opportunity. We already talked about his performance yesterday, but I do want to bring this out. He's the first Carolina quarterback with three plus passing touchdowns in the first half of a game since Cam Newton
Starting point is 01:03:49 in week 15 of the 2015 season at the Giants. Do you remember what the Panthers were back then? That's how long it's been since Carolina's had the type of performance from a quarterback that they got from Andy Dalton on Sunday. It was funny to me that we even had to, like, check this box where Dave Canales had to answer, like, is Andy Dalton still your quarterback today?
Starting point is 01:04:09 Yeah, obviously, they're much better with him. Yeah, yeah, that 2015 season was one of the best quarterback seasons I've ever seen. And Andy Dalton, I just, he's making them more watchable. Jane Daniels has put the commanders up a bunch of notches. But let's be real, Andy Dalton has put the Panthers up at least one notch. Like, I'm not saying they're the first team I want to watch on Sunday, but I want to watch them more than I did with that Bryce Young experiment going on. So, yeah, I loved watching. It was a really good performance if anyone out there has a chance to watch it.
Starting point is 01:04:46 Against what we thought was a pretty good defense. I'm going to go, I'm going to double do it. The captain, you know, why not? There can be two captains, two receivers, you know. 2-2 Atwell and Joanne Jennings. Duan Jennings is like 6-3-215.2-Atwell is 5-9 listed as 165, but we learned on one of those Rams documentary-type things that he's really like 155, which is crazy. He's in the NFL. And Duan Jennings, I have to give him the love of one of the best wide receiver games I've ever
Starting point is 01:05:19 seen if you just go watch his completions on NFL Pro or anything. It's just he mosses a guy for one. He beats him at the line of scrimmage first. another deep one. He digs one out that's in the ground for another. He leaps for another contested catch. It was a sideline catch. Like, every thing that you could possibly do, he had some yak, not exactly a burner. You know, maybe that's why he's not usually the starter. But my God, like, I don't necessarily think this is a one-game wonder. I think he's going to have a big role on their team. And then Tutu Atwell, who was the number five Rams receiver coming into this year, always viewed as like Sean McPhay's pet project, this guy they took pretty
Starting point is 01:05:57 early and he finally became a good role player last year, but this year he's kind of moved down in the pecking order and hasn't played much this year. And then, man, he comes out there and he makes some contested difficult catches, including one on the sideline. They ended up ruling wasn't a catch, but he made an incredible effort. Ends up, I think, almost 100 yards in that game, but just the quality and the clutch catches that Tutu Atwell had. He gets my nod along with Joanne Jennings. It's just the yin and the yang. I like the NFL. You can have all sorts of different body types.
Starting point is 01:06:31 Jaden Daniels, like one of the skinniest quarterbacks I've ever seen. He's out there taking big hits, tough guy. He even slid tonight. What a remarkable development. Yes, he did a better job avoiding hits. The only times he took hits were kind of when he had to on like third and threes up the middle
Starting point is 01:06:45 where he needed to get the first down. Yeah, there are two receivers since this is his captain's corner. Shot, chaser, right there. Boom. There you go. Thank you. Nick Shook. And thank you for everyone listening. Again, that was Captain's Corner, presented by Captain Morgan. It's delicious and crisp, perfect for game day with friends. Spice
Starting point is 01:07:04 it up. Visit Captain Morgan.com to find a captain near you. Please drink responsibly. And yeah, that's my instructions to you, Nick. It's been a long day of work, long couple days for you. So go ahead, put one back. And we'll be back on NFL Daily. I mentioned on Wednesday. It's the Wednesday crew. You know it. You love it. It's Colleen Wolf. It's Jordan Rodrig. We've got to talk about some stuff we like, stuff we don't like. Preview a compelling TNF game between the Giants and Cowboys. I'm into teams with high stakes early in the year. The Cowboys can't take a loss here.
Starting point is 01:07:39 We will talk to you then. Until then, Jaden Daniels, he brought football back. Hey, everybody, Daniel Jeremiah here. And I'm Bucky Brooks. On Move the Six, we take you inside the... game from breaking down college prospects and NFL rookies to evaluating team building philosophies coaching trends and how front offices construct winning rosters we study the tape talk to decision makers and give you a perspective you won't find anywhere else it's everything you need to understand
Starting point is 01:08:11 the why behind what happens on sundance don't miss it listen to the move the sticks podcast on the iHeart radio app apple podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts Marcus Grant. And I'm Michael Florio, and together we host the NFL fantasy football podcast. Ready to dominate your fantasy league this season? Then you need the NFL fantasy football podcast, your ultimate source for player news, draft tips, and winning strategies. Whether you're a rookie manager or a fantasy vet, we've got the insight to help you crush your opponents. Listen to the NFL Fantasy Football Podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Toyota, the official automotive partner of the NFL, visit Toyota.com slash NFL now to learn more.
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