NFL Daily with Gregg Rosenthal - NFL ATL: Week 3 recap

Episode Date: September 23, 2013

A room full of heroes, Gregg Rosenthal, Dan Hanzus, Marc Sessler and Chris Wesseling breakdown all of the Week 3 action and get you ready for the “Monday Night Football” matchup between the Oakland Raiders and Denver Broncos. Don’t miss the analysis and key takeaways from each game. Join the conversation on Twitter: @NFL_ATL or #NFLATL.Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comNFL Daily YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nflpodcastsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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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. The Around the League podcast has no prior head coaching experience. Welcome back to another edition of the Around the League podcast. My name is Dan Hanses, and I am. joined by a room full of heroes. Chris Wessling, Mark Sessler, and Greg Rosenthal.

What up, boys? Hey, Dan. Good evening. It's Sunday night. I can feel the energy. Oh, it's pulsating through my veins, personally. I don't know about you guys. It's much different on a Sunday when last Saturday you guys were coming off of an all-day cornhole extravaganza, whereas this Saturday, you're coming off of a two-year-old birthday party, which you went for my daughter.

Yes. Thank you for that. As far as you know, that's all we're coming off. Yes, that's true. Casa del Rosenthal hosted us. It was really, it was quite pleasant, I would say. It was very nice. Children all around.

Happy birthday to your daughter Ellis. She turns two. A lot of information. So, here we are. We are in week three. Another, a little bit disappointing to me personally this week. Some ugly games, but also some interesting subplots. So maybe you should continue to listen to the podcast.

A lot of surprises this week. A lot of surprises. And let's start right off the bat in Candlestick Park, San Francisco. The 49ers get taken down at home by the Colts. Greg Rosenthal, watch that game. Tell us about it. It's not only a surprising result who won, but the fact that the Colts were the tougher team than San Francisco

is making me rethink a lot of things. I mean, in the fourth quarter of that game, they are running the ball straight through the 49ers defense when they know the run is coming. It's not Trent Richardson, who is a non-factor, really. It's Amad Bradshaw who looked terrific. And the 49ers have to think now, okay, they lost Patrick Willis in this game with a groin injury. We found out after the game that Alden Smith will be away from the team on an indefinite leave of absence.

Ian Rappaport reported he's going to get treatment for substance abuse problems. And they can't throw the football right now. So this is a team suddenly in week three that's got a whole bunch of problems. I was stunned by this I talked about on Friday I thought that this was a buzzsaw game for the Colts they were going to go in face this 49ers team that got embarrassed

in their previous game against the Seahawks you would think this would be the chance where they'd kind of sharpen up again and beat up on the Colts but instead they really got beat up on themselves and to Mark Sessler's credit you had the hero pick on this you picked the Colts

and you described that I believe as one of your funny feelings I just had a feeling but you know Harbaub Back-to-back losses for the first time as the coach of the 49ers. That doesn't bother me so much except to look at how they lost these two games. In the course of one week, I mean, they got rattled by Seattle. They come in this game.

You think that Indy is the kind of team that's going to learn how to play tough football from a team like San Francisco. Greg said it best. I mean, I watched the second half of that. They just got thumped. Colin Kaepernick really struggled. The book is out on this 49ers team. They didn't have Vernon Davis in the game.

They got to figure out how to beat man coverage. They don't have anyone that can get open against man coverage, and that's what the Colts were doing. He couldn't throw the ball, couldn't run the ball. It is a great sign for the Colts that Andrew Luck had a very nondescript game. Played okay, wasn't really that huge of a factor. And the Colts won going away. That whole narrative about Andrew Luck has no help.

That's gone right now. Both Super Bowl teams now have the same problem, lack of talent at the skill positions on offense. And I don't put too much into it When people say distractions hurt a team So I don't think Alden Smith What happened with him, the DUI And now immediately after the game

Him going away from the team I don't think that plays into it But going forward now I mean that's a big issue That guy was part of the guts of your defense And we have no idea how long he's going to be gone All of a sudden are we a little worried about the Niners It's a big game Thursday night against the Rams

We'll see if Patrick Willis is ready for the game game. We'll see if Vernon Davis is ready. I mean, these are their top players we're talking about, and they're not playing with them right now. So, yeah, it's a problem. One last thing on this game, I'm less than thrilled that the Colts are turning Andrew Luck into Russell Wilson, going with his run heavy. Come on, free Andrew Luck. That's fair. That's fair. All right, so yeah, let's move on. Let's go through the schedule all of Sunday's games.

Greg Rosenthal, I believe you all also were watching the Baltimore Roald. Ravens, Houston Texans game, correct? That is a true statement, not a pretty game. A lot of penalties in this one, and not a lot of offense. The Texans should have had a big lead in the first half, didn't really take advantage of some great situations. And it just reminded me of some old school Baltimore Ravens' ugly game. They get a punt return touchdown.

They get a defensive touchdown. There's only one touchdown scored in this entire game on offense. That was by the Ravens had a nice drive with Tori Smith. And they're winning ugly, and this is two straight games now. Their defense has not given up a single touchdown at home. Matt Schaub did not play well in this game, and I think Baltimore's got to feel good that they can win games in different sorts of ways now. How did Ed Reed look?

He was a non-factor. I mean, he had three tackles. Just one of those kind of deep safety games where he doesn't make a lot of noise either way. You know, the guy I noticed a little more was Matt Elam, who came into the starting lineup for the Ravens, essentially Reed's replacement. This was his first start. The Texans didn't have a play over 18 yards in the entire game. So this was a station-to-station, really slow-moving offense,

and they're struggling to make big plays, and Matt Schaub's not playing that well. I still feel pretty good about my 8-and-8 prediction for the Texans. I know I'm in the minority on that about where we'll finish this year, but they're very close. They could be if a couple of things went against them, O and 3 right now. They did not play great in either week 1 or 2.

They need to comebacks in both games, and now they're flat on the road against a Baltimore team that I think everyone agrees is not complete by any means so I don't know I don't know about the Texans right now I just have to point out that JJ Watt has become the most fun defensive player to watch in my lifetime week after week did you sleep through last season no I know but it's just the fact that it's continuing and taking it to another level I thought

his game last week against Tennessee one of the best of his career he was incredible again today and it's just I mean it's just the joy to watch every week. Moving right along, I had the pleasure. Pleasure is probably not the word, but I watched the Carolina Panthers absolutely destroy the New York Giants, 38-0. Could be the low point of the Tom Coughlin era

in New York. I think this was a game where from the very beginning it was just complete domination on both sides. Eli Manning had no chance. He completed 12 passes in the game and was sacked seven times, including six times in the first 17 minutes of the game. This is the type of protection we're talking about.

The running game did know better. So the Giants are now 0 and 3, and I'm shocked. I thought they were going to get off the Schneide, but they're not, and they're in deep trouble. Remember when the Kraken predicted he would have 50 sacks this year? Yes. I thought he might get that in the first quarter. Yes, I believe he had three sacks today.

But he didn't have sacks in either of the first two games, so he's still way off his projection. You know, on last podcast, Wes and I both, talked about Carolina as our pick of the O-N-2 teams that could potentially turn things around, make some sort of a run. The defense to me was the obvious reason, but what I was reading and tell me what you saw, that they kind of changed up the offense for Cam Newton this game. They did. You saw more running from Newton, which was smart. Mike Shula, who, around these parts anyway, doesn't have a great reputation as I look over at West. He's the ATL whipping boy.

Yeah. But, yeah, I mean, listen, when you have someone as dynamic as New York, Newton, you've got to design some plays to let him make plays with his legs, and he did that. And it just goes to show. He played, Newton played just a really balanced game. He had one bad interception, but he threw three touchdowns, he ran for another. He was in total control. And the only thing I will say is, and you can't take it away from them, that they blew the Giants out. But before I believe in the Panthers, I want to see them win one of those close games that they seem to lose on a biweekly basis.

Are the Giants the worst team in the league other than the Jaguars? Jaguars, let's throw out of this discussion. Steelers? Steelers are in that mix. It's incredible that those are the teams we're talking about, but that's how they've played. I mean, they've had three straight, really bad performances. No, I don't think about New York,

and it's not just that David Wilson's been disappointing, but I understand the whole they didn't get the contract thing done with Amad Bradshaw. But, look, the guy looked good tonight. That's a guy that would have fit perfectly in a New York's offense right now. They need a guy they can rely on running the ball. That's a shame it didn't work out. Yeah, but even if... Just speaking of today's game, though, Bradshaw wouldn't have done anything.

It was David Wilson. They actually tried to work him more back into the game plan, and he was just getting swallowed up in the backfield. Actually got a penalty called on him because he spiked the ball in frustration at one point after getting swallowed up for a four-yard loss. I mean, it was just, I couldn't believe how bad it was. And the other thing, the Panthers' front line is awesome. You know, they're showing it week after week.

The Giants, I don't know what happened to their pass rush. I understand Pierre Paul is not himself, but in general, Newton had all day was comfortable just an all-round bad effort in their first 0-and-3 starts since 96

which was the last year of the Dan Reeves era. Justin Tuck hasn't been a good player in a couple years either. Not that you need any more proof but you would always rather have a terrible secondary than a terrible defensive line

because the Panthers couldn't have worse players in their secondary and when you're that good up front it doesn't matter at all. Star Latulule should have been a top three overall pick in the draft. Wesley? Boom. I like that.

Speaking of Wessling, his former love, the Cincinnati Bengals, I would say the other, you know, maybe the biggest game of the week in terms of an impact, the Bengals take down the Packers at home. Tell us about it. It was a turnover fest. The Bengals had jumped out to a 14 to nothing lead, thanks to, in small part, because the Packers had a fumble on their opening kickoff. They jump out. Packers score 30 points in a row at the The Bengals have four turnovers, and then the Packers basically are running, running away with the game, have a chance to win. Jonathan Franklin fumbles.

The Bengals take it back 58 yards, and that one play basically changed the outcome. Aaron Rogers, I'm looking at the box scores in the Gabbard zone. How did this happen? And for everyone out there, that's a yards per attempt somewhere in the fives or maybe under. I think it's getting to the point. We don't have to explain it anymore. America knows what the Gabbard zone is by now. Mike Zimmer's defense was swarming.

Michael Johnson really put David Backtiari in a clown suit Rogers was sack four times hit probably a dozen or more times and the Bengals front four just really dominated the trenches I look at Green Bay and I don't like I'm a Browns fan when my team has a week four buy

it feels too early and it's just like listen a lot more stuff happens I want the break to come a little later this team needs the buy this week They had Jeremy Ross, a wide receiver, playing running back on the final few plays of the game because Franklin twisted his ankle or something. Starks was, Starks injured his knee, Jermichael Finley was concussed. Clay Matthews tweaked his hamstring, sat out the second half.

And that may have been the difference in the game, too. Matthews forced fumbles on back-to-back Bengals possessions in the second quarter. Bengals come back. I mean, the Packers are shutting them down. They come back with two touchdown at the end of the third quarter and started the fourth quarter with Matthews on the sideline, that was a big injury. This is becoming a thing with them, starting the season's slow. Happened last year, didn't make a difference.

Happened even when they won the Super Bowl didn't make a difference. So I'm not too worried. What about the Bengals, though? I mean, shouldn't we be giving them a lot of credit for this game? I mean, this is a game that everyone kind of figured the Packers were at home or not, they were going to take care of business because they're the better team, and now this Bengals team. I give them credit for not going away when the Packer scored 30 points in a row

to make it 30 to 14. they kept in it and kept getting after Rodgers. One other takeaway from this game is that Marvin Lewis actually won a challenge. And a key one. That's pretty rare for Marvin. Marvin's actually on the coaches podcast on Monday with our friends. We're helping out the podcast family here. All right.

Greg just got paid $7 for that. All right. Let's move on. I got another good one. The Dallas Cowboys absolutely whooped the St. Louis Rams. And I don't want to hear. It is a good one. You love the Cowboys.

I don't want to hear... I don't love the Cowboys. This is a closet Cowboys fan like every Yankees fan out there. That is ridiculous and baseless. We just had our moment in every show where Greg gets up out of his chair and rotates around the room to make a point. I know. That is baseless and rude, quite frankly. I do enjoy watching the Cowboys because they are kind of like NFL tragic theater with a lot of big name stars attached to the vehicle.

But, you know, listen, this was a good day to be a cowboy. fan because they talked all week about they needed to get more balance in their offense and then they came out they gave the ball to demarko murray 26 times he ran for well over 100 yards they ran I think 175 yards 193 yards in total and when the cowboys have that type of offense going on the ground they're in good shape because they have so many weapons throwing the ball so a dominating effort and I don't want to hear anything else about the NFC west having you know top to bottom talent and great teams because the Rams now, it's a second straight week where they were down 24-0

at one point. This doesn't seem like a team that is going to hang around in the playoff picture. And one other thing, Jake Long gave him a lot of money. He got destroyed today. And you know, he gave up sacks and he doesn't look anything close to what he was. So that might not be a great signing. It's the third week in a row where Tavon Austin had a very pedestrian game. And it's too early to make any sort of a judgment there. I think he's still going to probably explode at some point. But I mean, what are you seeing from him? He was, he had six catches, but they were so quiet. I don't even remember seeing all of them. They were for 30 yards. So talk about Gabbard Zone. You know, Tavon Austin was supposed to be the most

exciting player in the league on some level, potentially. But we haven't seen that yet. But that might be, they just haven't figured out how to use them yet. Last week, go ahead. Well, last week I called Jeremy Curley a poor man's Tavon Austin. Do we need to flip that around? Because Curley's got it going on. I don't know. I don't know if we should count out Tavon Austin yet, but on balance it was just not a good showing by the Rams offense. They were just badly beaten.

This game was over by the second quarter. How would we regard to Marco Murray, if not for the St. Louis Rams? He has one-fourth of his career yards in two games against the Rams. Yeah, he looked good. And they gave the ball to him. He rushed for 48 yards on their first drive of the game, which maxed out that beat their total for the entire week before. So I imagine they're going to continue that trend

and try to give him the ball early and establish a tone that way. But there wasn't much else to take out of this. I do think it's interesting. This is the first year the Cowboys have started 2-0 at home at that new building. Maybe they finally could have a home field advantage because that has not been a very kind place to them.

But that was that game. I don't want to get too much into it. What happened to the Rams defense, though? I mean, because this was supposed to be going into the year, maybe one of those units that contends to be a top five group and this is three straight pretty poor performances. They also, yeah, and they also went into this game. I think they were ranked sixth against the run.

So maybe this was an anomaly of this game, but, yeah, they couldn't stop Romo. He threw for three touchdowns, and Romo is quietly, I know he made some mistakes last week, but he's putting up really good numbers again. And we might be looking at another Tony Romo, excellent statistical season, and people have to decide whether that makes him a great quarterback, but he's on pace for that. So that's what it was. It was just a dominating effort. All right, let's move forward. Mark Sessler.

The Cleveland Browns traded the face of their franchise this week. Everyone thought they were going to give up. Instead, they go into Minnesota and they win. How did that happen? Well, I'm not quite sure. I did watch the game, and it caught me by surprise. It was a weird game, honestly, and Cleveland kind of dumped the playbook. I mean, they were running end-arounds.

They were running, I saw a fake punt. They did a fake field goal. I mean, it all capitalized on each of these plays. For me, the big takeaway, before we drill down into any other part of it, was that for a first year head coach after what happened this week and probably a locker room that was, if not divided, heading that way, I thought Rob Chisinski coached a hell of a game. Judd.

He did. And I think that they, he went out and got two good coordinators in Norv Turner and Ray Horton. And Horton especially, hearing what he said during the week, what he said to his defensive side of the ball. that defense is very talented up front. They shut down Adrian Peterson. They kept him in check at least. They had six sacks today, all from six different players.

They hit Christian Ponder over and over. And I know it's quick. People want to talk about, oh, Brian Hoyer, X, Y, and Z. Hoyer's going to come back down to Earth, but this is defense, I think, it actually has some real talent to hang its hat on. Well, how about you're making the leap, guys? Your two choices, both from the Browns,

Jordan Cameron three touchdowns. Josh Gordon comes back into the lineup and really changes this entire offense. Yeah, I see, I'm not even sure. I'm not sure Gordon even watches tape or studies. He just very physically talented. And I mean, I'm not saying he does. And it just seems like the guy's been suspended. He comes back and he makes an immediate impact.

We saw that beginning last season. You know, this is the first 100-yard game, though, he's had since college. And he didn't play his senior year in college. So it's been a while. But he's shown that explosive. And when it comes to Cameron, I thought initially, oh, they're using Cameron very well. But that's another extremely gifted athlete who actually can catch the ball. It's not just one of these basketball playing guys.

They're going to try to turn into a tight end. It's happened again for Norv Turner after three weeks. It looks like he has a tight end that can make some incredible catches. He's done it every week, no matter who the quarterback is. So, yeah, they have some parts in place. And the running game was a complete, I mean, an ultra-committee effort. They had five different guys run for 103 yards. And, you know, I'm not sure that's going to be their strong point, obviously.

What about on the other side of the ball? Christian Ponder, are we heading toward a benching? Well, we said that in the newsroom. I thought that Josh Freeman is on the verge of a benching. But Ponder, really, number one, it's a tough watch in that building because the Vikings fans are on Ponder immediately. and he gave them a lot of reason today. I mean, he did some things that are gritty,

but he's still Christian Ponder, and it's almost like you're watching, like a Barry Sanders in the old Detroit Lions offense where it doesn't matter what Adrian Peterson does, and defenses are starting just to test Ponder, and he can't get it done. He threw too many off-kiltre passes. He threw some terrible interceptions today.

He killed drives. What about the state of the Browns fan, though? I mean, I feel like this whole podcast was just foreplay. getting us up to the Browns and Sessler's emotion. And is it, are you feeling some hope after this? I just, well, I mean, again, I honestly, I think that they were laughing. They, you know, the Jets for Dan have been a complete laughing stock. And Cleveland this week has been so heavily questioned for what they did.

And it's still to be seen if that was a disastrous move or not. I like Chud's ability to handle the challenge and to keep his team very focused. They played really hard for him. I'm not sure what else to take out from that. I like that. We'll see where it goes. And for the record, Trent Richardson, 35 yards on 13 carries in San Francisco today. Scored a touchdown, but average 2.7 yards per carry. That smells familiar.

So this is Brian Hoyer's team until he has a debacle? I think it's probably fair to question if Brandon Whedon will ever play again. I don't think it's anyone's team because they're going to... Ever play again in totality? For Cleveland. Okay. They're going to heat seek. Well, he is close to the end of his career chrono.

I mean, age-wise. Yeah. There it is. The West age dig of the podcast. So it's fair to question if he'll ever start again. But Cleveland, obviously, we heard this from everyone from rap sheet to Mike Silver. They are clearly heat-seeking a quarterback in the draft. But they have a backup in Hoyer at this point that I think they believe in, much more than

anyone else in the team. Wouldn't it be funny if the Steelers beat him to Teddy Bridgewater? I was thinking about that today. I was thinking about that. that. All right, and Mark, you also watched the New England Patriots easily dispatched the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 233 in Foxborough. What a great schedule the pets have had early on.

I honestly give this much more to New England's defense. I think that they sneakily have built a really athletic young group that seems a little different than past Patriots' defenses to me. They completely took the bucks out of this game right away. And that's part on, that's on Freeman to some degree. he was really a mess and we saw Mike Glennon warming up in the third quarter and Greg and I

we started to work up a post because it seemed sure that they were going to make a switch and we talked before the game we thought this might be the week that would happen. I'm pretty sure that will happen next week. That's my guess that Glennon will start week four. What's the point of keeping Josh Freeman around at this point? They're 0 and 3

it's clear that he's lost support within his own building and his coach doesn't like him. You've got to do something to save your season. I wish more quarterbacks could get traded during the season, but it's so hard with learning an offense. But to me, he can play better than he's played. That relationship is just ruined. I agree so much because he'll do things. You know, early in the game, he and Vincent Jackson and Mike Williams, they were testing New England's cornerbacks and having some success.

And when they're hot, that's why they're hot, because he finds ways to make big plays with his wideouts. I love his arm. It's just that he's so scattershot. He throws the ball sometimes with such poor decision-making. And I think that his head is not on the right place in Tampa right now. You're right. All right. Now comes the point in the Sunday night podcast where we reach out to our Chicago-based ATL writer,

the great Kevin Patra. Kay Rich, is Patrick ready to speak with us? I spoke to him to four, and he seems ready. I'm anxious. Wow. Is that true, Patrick? I'm always anxious to speak with you, roomful of heroes. Especially after a lion's victory.

I can hear a little pep in your voice. Yeah, I would have pep after a good victory. I can imagine Patrick right now in like a Chicago cigar shop smoking one with Common, just hanging out enjoying a really nice. Look it up. A really nice victory for the Lions. But let's start with the other game. We're going to get to the Lions, the game you also watch.

But let's start with the New Orleans Saints. Took care of business at home against the Arizona Cardinals. What did you see there, Kevin? Taking care of business is a great way to put out. You know what? Thank you. Drew Brees reminds me of watching a Floyd-Bade-Wather fight. You know, the other guy might have a few jabs in the beginning,

but at the end of the day, you know that you know what the outcome is going to be. The Cardinals hung in there in the beginning. They got a couple sacks. They had four sacks in the game. They got some pressure. But, you know, they got a couple injuries. Samacho left for the game, and then Breez just picked them apart, and they had no answer for Jimmy Graham.

I mean, whether they put Peterson on them, Matthew on them, I don't even know if Breeze would have seen Matthew behind Jimmy Graham on a couple of throws. And how about the defense? And, again, my favorite weekly segment, does Chris Wesleyan believe in bad Santa and the biggest defensive turnaround in the history of the NFL? Greg is standing over me at the moment. It's twice this episode. I have no prepared statement, but I will say I was wrong about the Saints' defense.

I didn't know that Cameron Jordan was going to turn into J.J. Watt this year. Victory. He was an absolute beast. He's been a beast all year, and I didn't see it coming. Yeah, him and Junior Glad just set up in the Cardinals' backfield. Carson Palmer had, like, no time to throw. He had, like, one beat, and it was out, and it was gone. It was over with.

He had people in his face all day. He had so many throwaways that I couldn't even count them all. And how about the Saints, you know, not given a chance to win this division by many in this room, at least. Now up a couple games in the NFC South. Falcons are struggling a little bit. They're one of the early stories. the NFL. They certainly are that. I mean, whenever time you have Breeze in a game, you've got a chance. And Chonte is coming back. The play calling has been good. The

running games still had some question marks. I think Breeze was actually the leader at half time when he knelt to go into half with a negative yard. I had four carries in the first half. But other than that, you can nipak all you want, but it's Breeze's team. He's going to throw it and threw it all the day on a team that has played a decent defense the last couple weeks. So do you think we should buy in on the Saints? Is a real playoff container? I do. I'm buying in. I thought they would be a wildcar team to begin with, with Payton coming back, but this team seems like I have it all.

The defense has short up so far. They haven't really faced a high-powered one yet. We'll see when they come against the Falcons. But, I mean, right now, they're just all over the pass rush is great. It's helping out the backside right now. Tonight, they looked unbeatable. Don't look now, but either the Dolphins or the Saints will be 4-0 after next week. Wow, good point.

That's a good game. Okay, and now let's move on to your other game. You watched your Detroit Lions, take care of business, 27-20 win over the Redskins. What did you see? Yeah, you know, we can focus on RG3. I think, you know, he played pretty well. For a guy in his third game back,

I think his storyline is a little overblown nitpicking. He did have two turnovers that were killer, but he looked all right. He only ran two designed runs, and his other four runs were a couple scrambles. The big problem, you know, the big turnover when he scrambled for 21. yards and then dole forward instead of sliding when he was trying to give himself up and

fumble. That was a huge play in the game. But he looked all right. He still doesn't have everything on his balls. He did have a nice deep throw. They got a touchdown. They got overturned. But he's coming along.

You can see as he gets more reps. He's going to get better. We just got to give him time. Our expectations for him coming this season were overblown. Yeah, but they're own three, though. I mean, at some point, they're going to have to start winning some games. Right. But the problem is not with him.

I didn't see in this game. It's their defense. was just awful. I mean, the lines didn't even take all the opportunities that they were presented. The Angel Hall had the early pick for a score, but after that, the lines in the past game were getting, I mean, the Redskin secondary literally lost Nate Burleson on at least two or three plays where we went for big yard. Burleson had 10, 106 yards catching, receiving. I mean, and from the Lions perspective, they needed that boost with Reggie Bush out of the game. They needed somebody that could be second-fittled to Calvin Johnson and

Wake Bell wasn't going to be that guy. He did have 20 carries and still only went for 63 yards. Their run game isn't going to be anything. But that Redskin secondary, just couldn't handle it. Young guys were getting burned all day. How did RG3's knee look on that 35-yard run or however long it was? Yeah, you know, he actually got, he had some burst. He went back, he dropped back.

There was some pressure. He came up. He had hit a quick burst because that's what I was looking for in the run. I was like, we'll see how far it gets. And he looked like he had the burst that we saw last year. maybe it wasn't as immediate, but he had some momentum going, he outran a few guys that had a little bit of an angle on, and then when he saw him conversion, he dope had a person fumbled.

He looked like that was good. If he had slid properly, that would have been the play we'd have seen on highlights if they would have punched it in and said, oh, look, he's back. Kevin, so the Redskins give up 1,464 yards in three games. The most in NFL history, are you concerned that the Lions scored only 27 points? You know, I could nitpick on that, and, you know, I usually do. I mean, the run game was obviously concerned against a rush defense that had given up major yards the first two weeks of the season, and they couldn't do anything on 23 carries.

No Reggie Bush. I mean, that needs to be saying. I mean, give the guys a break here. This is their first franchise victory in Washington, right? It is. One in 21 record in D.C. I was raising my hands to that one. How is that possible?

First win against the Redskins since they were the Boston. and Braves. No one beats the Lions 22 straight times in Washington. It just doesn't happen. No, he doesn't. Nobody.

All right, Kevin. And finally, I'd like to hear your thoughts. I'll give you about five minutes to explain your thoughts on the Redskins' name whether it should be changed. No, I'm just kidding.

We could just call them the Washington Griffin since that's all anybody seems to care about anyway. All right, good answer. Kevin, thank you very much. You could go back to whatever you're doing there. I'll watch this great Sunday night

football game, fellas. All right. Moving right. along. Always nice to talk to Kevin Patrick, but we need to move along. We have Greg Rosenthal tell us about, wow, Greg is excited, but he might even stand up for a third time in one podcast. The Miami Dolphins take care of business at home. 2723 win over the Falcons. Well, I'm not just excited about the Tanna Hill bandwagging starting to fill up that we talked about last week as a big narrative. But, you know, you mentioned the NFC West

mentioned that he has the greatest division on earth, you know, before the season. And how about the AFC East is undefeated out of the division this year. Six and O, AFC East. Give it up. This game was one of those games that reminded me of a Falcons win from a year ago. The Dolphins were down the whole game.

The Falcons looked like the better team. They controlled the line of scrimmage. They hit Tanna Hill a ton. A lot of good things were happening. They're running the ball well. And then at the end, Tanna Hill is the one who plays his best, has a great touchdown drive to win the game. They kind of snuck this one out.

barely had the ball in the game, and it's just kind of another step in this team's development now that they're figuring out ways to win games that they probably shouldn't want. When is Jeff Ireland going to get his contract extension? Because he's built a juggernaut in Miami. I've been calling for that for like six days. You better lock them up soon because otherwise, you know, some team's going to step in and get Ireland. I was flipping over to this game every once in a while because I was stuck with the Jaguars, Seahawks mismatch.

Oh, yeah, hang in there, listeners, because we're getting. there. And it seemed to be that the Falcons just blew so many opportunities where they settled for a field goal instead of a touchdown. And I guess my question is, I saw the first two games that I think Tony Gonzalez looks slower this year. They didn't, apparently they weren't looking for him in the end zone, because he's usually Matt Ryan's fallback guy in the end zone. Yeah, that's a great point. He had 24 yards in this game, and they looked like they were making a concerted effort to get him involved on the first drive of the game. I think he had three catches. And after that, he was totally not to be found. I mean, they're leading receiver after Julio Jones with Jason Snelling.

And can I make one point on that? I understand Tony Gonzalez earned the right or something to sit out all of off-season training and the most of training camp. But, you know, this isn't a relief pitcher or something where he just needs a couple appearances to get ready or, you know, this is a professional football player, a tight end. I mean, you figure at that advanced age, the guy would need a full training camp to be ready for the season. I might put something into the fact that this guy basically disappeared for the summer and now all of a sudden he was supposed to still be Tony Gonzalez. Didn't Brett Farve have his statistically best season after pulling the same stunt?

It's a little different though. Quarterback's different too to me. I feel like... Fair. You know, when you're a skill position player at a tight end, you know, get some reps. That's a fair point. Hasn't reached 100 yards on the season yet after three games. He's under 10 yards per catch and they need him so badly right now because Roddy White's

out there limping on one leg. They were, like you mentioned, in the red zone, they were two for five. The dolphins were three for three, and that was kind of the story. If I had to ask you to sum up why the Falcons are one and two in like one or two sentences, what would you say? I would say they're short-handed on offense. That would be it. I mean, White's not there.

You know, they didn't really miss Stephen Jackson today. Gonzalez isn't the same. Sam Baker, their left tackle's not there. They're not protecting him. And so they're a shorthanded team right now. It seems like they actually protected Matt Ryan B. better without Sam Baker. Well, they were just getting rid of the ball, though.

They're changing their whole offense to me to adjust for all their shortcomings. I mean, they're throwing dink and dug not going down the field at all. Hope Mrs. Baker's not listening to this particular show. She's a good woman. She's a good woman. She's a big fan of Lyle, the intern. And any other word, Greg, about Ryan Tannahill before we move on? This wasn't his best game even, and they found a way to win.

He had a couple beautiful throws on the top. touchdown drive and he's had a knack for you know he's now he did it versus Seattle last year he did it versus Indianapolis so it wasn't even his best game and they won I think that's a good sign for them I could just see Ryan with Lauren on relaxing on a sofa bed right now 14 dogs around them enjoying life why not it's pretty good to be right at life at this point I have a question for you Dan do you plan on skipping the Titans and Chargers game do you want me to I just thought it would be like in the one of a

o'clock games. He's asking you to segue directly into that game. Well, let's talk about it then because clearly I didn't make a mistake. It was something I was planning all along. But why did you tell us about that game, Chris Wesley? This was, you could say it was Jake Locker's

coming out party if you believe that Jake Locker is really coming out. I'm not sure I do. We talked about Josh Freeman, his scatter shot throwing. Whenever Jake Locker goes back to throw, I feel like there's a 50-50 shot. It's going to be within five years.

yards of the wide receiver. And this was probably his most impressive game as an NFL quarterback, and I spent the first three quarters wondering if he would complete his pass. Is this a team that's quietly going to go draft a quarterback in April and get an end the Jake Locker experiment? I think it's way too early to even hazard a guess on that. It fully depends on what happens the next 13 games. Wait, why are we, they won?

They won 2017. Yeah, but he is a limiting part of their offense in my opinion. He also threw the game-winning touchdowns. I don't think it's a coincidence that he played his best drive when Kenny Britt was watching from the sidelines. Kenny Britt has been, I mean, you can make the argument. He's the worst starter in the NFL this year. And how about the Chargers blowing another game?

I mean, I feel Dan's hero pick pain from week one where he picked the Chargers. I had them as my hero pick today. You never picked the Chargers! What? Like, did they do anything coaching-wise that led to this? Yes, they did. They pulled a Ron Rivera.

Oh, no. They had the lead, and it wasn't a big lead. It was a four-point lead. They ran Ryan Matthews, six straight runs. They had a third down in semi-long. They didn't even attempt to pass it. They just ran Ryan Matthews into the line to try to, basically to dare Jake Locker to beat him in a two-minute drill,

and he did it. They went conservative on offense. What a weird start. I mean, there are a couple plays away from being 3-0. I know. I'm not going as far as Dan to never pick them again, but that one kind of. That one cut deep, Mike McCoy.

He's taken two hero picks from the ATL crew. Let's not ever forget that. I love it. All right, Wes, thank you for reminding me, although I always knew. It was never a mistake. Now, one mistake. You want to talk about mistakes, segue. The New York Jets won today.

They have 2720 win over the bills, but they committed 20 penalties. Wow. For 168 yards. That is not only, that's a team record. good job Rex and also just two penalties shy of the NFL record for penalties in a game so if there's if there's a way to be disappointed by a win I suppose you could be on that on that level as a coach but they're not going to give it back Gino Smith versus E.J. Manuel two rookie quarterbacks Gino outplayed manual there's no way around it a lot of that went

back to the Jets defense who always seemed to play well against the bills especially at home and in this case, Rex did a good job. It was clear that Manuel was never comfortable. He did not play a good game. And Gino Smith is the first Jets rookie ever to throw for over 300 yards and two touchdowns in a game. And he got a lot of that yardage, a long bomb to Stephen Hill for a touchdown, who actually caught it, and that was stunning.

And then Santonio Holmes, the biggest takeaway for the Jets is Holmes looks healthy. He went over 100 yards, I believe, went over 150. And the game-winning touchdown ultimately in the fourth quarter, He looks great, and it's the first time you could say that in over a year. Hey, give it up for Rex. After next week, either the Titans or the Jets will be three and one. So there's a good chance the Jets might be three and one. And the guy for all of his, all the controversy surrounding him, whether he's a buffoon or not, he can coach defense.

There's no question he could coach defense. This was not a great game for Rex, though. I have to say the penalties always is a reflection to me of the coach. And also you have, he had two terrible challenges. He burned both his challenges by throwing the red flag over the span of about five real-time minutes on two challenges that there's no chance that Jets had to win. And then they ended up not being able to challenge a fumble by Buffalo. So, you know, Rex, it's always a mixed bag with him. But you're right.

I mean, they're two-in-one. I think it was ESPN. All their writers agreed the Jets were the worst team in football before the season started. And now they have a two-and-one record and they could very easily get to three-in-one. You know, on balance, it was a good day for the Jets, but also, you know, you can't get too excited. And Gino, by the way, Gino did go over 300 yards, but he also threw two bad interceptions. That's going to continue to happen. And when they play better teams, they're not going to get away with that.

One question for you. They've tried to replace Derell Revis with a mixture of what Kyle Wilson and D. Milner. And now, Milner is coming off being benched last week. What do you see at the cornerback position? I mean, they're doing a good job. making up for the loss of Revis. They actually played very poorly, I thought, especially in the first half against the Patriots

in their secondary, and the Pats' dysfunction on offense that night saved that game from getting out of hand early. But today they were a lot better. Cromarty is really, and this carries over from last year, has become a top-flight corner. He's shutting down,

he's shutting down the opposing number one a lot, and, you know, they have a good front-line. The defense is, like I've been saying, the defense is going to keep them in games. I still don't think they're going to win. win a lot of games, but they're going to be close in a lot of games. Next up, Wes, you alluded to the game earlier, the Seattle Seahawks. Somehow they managed to get by the Jacksonville Jaguars at home.

You know these games that we always, you think they're going to be a blowout, they don't always end this way. This game went exactly how you thought it would go. Seahawks blew them out of the building. Their starters were out by the middle of the third quarter. And the key takeaway for me was that Seattle, we knew they had the deepest roster in the league. their backups are better than the Jaguar starters. That says it all right there.

I mean, and no Gus Bradley revenge factor like Sessor was done. Well, let me ask you one question. Has Chad Henney done anything to keep, of all people, Blaine Gabbert from coming back into the starting seat? Chad Henney looks exactly like Chad Henney's always looked. Scattershot, takes too many sacks, turns the ball over too much. Both of those guys, you know who they are by now. Well, then part B, is it on the Jaguars for not having gone out after having these two quarterbacks last year, not going out before the season and getting someone else?

No, because I just think don't force the quarterback pick in the draft, and you've got to wait to find the right quarterback. They're building up something, and maybe it'll work out well. It's kind of like when the NBA team's tank and get the one pick. And that takes us to the final game of Sunday. Oh, boy, the Pittsburgh Steelers are in deep trouble. We got back into the game, but got taken down ultimately by the Bears. Greg, what are you seeing here?

Well, a lot of people are going to talk about the Steelers being 0 and 3, and that is a big story, and my Ben Rathlisberger MVP pick is beyond embarrassing at this point. But I want to point to the Bears with the game on the line and everything seems to be crumbling. You know, Jay Cutler, Brandon Marshall, and Earl Bennett put together three of the prettiest third-down plays you'll ever see. Cutler with a couple great throws, one great run.

terrific catch by Marshall. Bennett makes one of the best catches of the year to put the game away, and you just have to give the Bears team credit again for playing their best in the passing game when it mattered. That touchdown pass to Bennett reminded me of the San Antonio Holmes touchdown

in the Super Bowl. Cutler had to put it in the exact right spot, and he did. The other takeaway for this game is the Bears, Henry Milton's one of their best defensive players. We saw him get carted off with what looks to be a really serious knee injury. You know, we saw

Clayty kind of guaranteed his 33 million before his season ending injury, and Melton is kind of the flip side of that. He decided to play out his contract, and now his earning power is probably going to take a hit in the offseason. And for me, what I take out of this game actually is in tandem with another well-established NFL franchise that lost today. The Giants and the Steelers, two teams that you thought they were going to potentially save their season, right, the ship. both of them go down in flames, and these two flagship-type teams, their seasons are basically over. I mean, it's pretty amazing to me that this is happening with these two teams. And the Steelers go to London to play the Vikings O'N3.

Enjoy our winless teams, London fans. Sorry about that. This is what you get for the things that you did to us, like 300 years ago. I hope you're listening, handsome Hank. Okay, so that is our Sunday show. There's one more game on the slate on Monday, the Oakland-Denver matchup. We'll talk about that on Wednesday, and that's it for now. So, signing off for the mailman, the Sizzler, the boss, and K. Rich Find the Glass.

We'll catch you on Wednesday. Hey, everybody, Daniel Jeremiah here. And I'm Bucky Brooks. On Move to 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 the why behind what happens. on Sunday. Don't miss it. Listen to the Move the Sticks podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple

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