NFL Daily with Gregg Rosenthal - Packers Primed for Playoffs, Coach of the Year Ladder

Episode Date: December 24, 2024

Gregg Rosenthal is joined by Nick Shook to recap the Monday Night Football game between the Saints and Packers. The guys start with a discussion about the versatility of the Packers (02:09), followed by a look at the Packers' position in the NFC playoff picture (07:18), and a break down of Spencer Rattler's play (09:55). After the break, you get caught up on the news including a curious quote from Sean McDermott (15:56) and injury updates on Tank Dell, Olu Fashanu, and J.K. Dobbins (19:05). Finally, the show is wrapped up with Gregg and Nick's Coach of the Year Ladders (23:40) and their players of the week (37:05). Note: time codes approximate. NFL Daily YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nflpodcastsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

It's everything you need to understand the why behind what happens on Sunday. Don't miss it. Listen to the Move the Sticks podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. 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? 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. And they're up to the line of scrimmage and first and goal. Handoff Jacobs, blasting off the left side, fighting his way to the end zone. Touchdown! 14th touchdown of the season for Josh Jacobs, a perfect. personal best. It is 13-0 Green Bay.

They were just getting going. Yes, the Green Bay Packers authored the very first shutout of the 24 NFL season, thanks to Josh Jacobs, 34 to nothing over the Saints on Monday night football as we head into the holidays. That was Wayne Larravee of WR&W. I'm Greg Rosenthal. in the garage. I'm looking at my friend. Nick Chook, thank you for being with me on this thrilling game.

Look, if it was going to be a blowout, at least they did it quickly. Nothing got too complicated. We got to see some excellence out of the Packers. Yeah, we did. We got to see the Packers in the many ways they can beat you.

We talk about the bills in that fashion a lot. Oh, they can win in so many different ways offensively. The Packers kind of proved that tonight. Starting with Josh Jacobs and his, you know, the ground and pound approach. where he's one of the toughest guys to bring down on first contact. He basically doesn't go down on first contact. And they rolled.

They absolutely rolled with the complete team performance. Offense was rolling. Defense was rolling. Packers fans are having a blast. They're tubing outside of Lambeau field. It's the holiday season. What more could you want? Well, I guess a close game, but if it was going to be a blowout,

it was quick. It was decisive. And Joe Buck and Troy Aikman were having a good time. Like Joe Buck just decided to entertain himself. They really are the best right now. now, and they're not griping that it's like a bad game or whatever. They're enjoying it. And look, I like seeing greatness. Some blowouts are more entertaining than others. This was 21-0 before, you know, the Saints had their fourth drive of the game, three straight touchdowns

by the Packers and then they just cruise from there. But the way they did it to me and the way they've done it the last two weeks is pretty telling. So Josh Jacobs sits for most of the second half because they're ahead by so much, which is great because they have a big game coming up on Sunday against the Vikings. But the first drive of the game shook, he has six touches for 40 yards touchdown. The next drive of the game after a short Saints drive where they got a couple first downs but end up punting, he has seven touches for 45 yards. That drive is a 17 play 91 yard drive before those two drives were up. And at that point, yeah, Jacobs already has. 85 yards on 13 touches.

He barely touched it the rest of the night after that. Before those two drives were over, seven different Packers had run the ball, and you just felt like Matt Lafleur was just showing all the cool things he can do with all the cool players that he has. Yeah, and that's exactly what I'm speaking about there, is that I know that he's kind of a mad scientist offensively and that he can scheme up so many different ways,

but so many different guys were able to get involved in this offense. It didn't have to be about Jordan Love. It could be about the entire offensive unit. It could be Don Tavian Wicks catching a touchdown pass with one of the greatest flop jobs I've ever seen from a defensive back in the NFL and the modern era. What was that? Yeah, that was Amati of the Saints that was there. Yeah, he's just searching for a flag,

desperate for a flag. You had Christian Watson taking, you know, end arounds, essentially, just like jet sweeps, that sort of thing, around the right side and picking up positive yards. You could go down this entire list. Chris Brooks gets a touchdown carry. Emmanuel Wilson gets 11 for 52 by the time the game's over. Tucker Kraft.

We love Tucker. Kraft, he's had a great year. You had Reed, Dobbs, Wicks, everybody's involved. They can, they can just hit it from so many different angles because their coach is so creative with this play calling. It got to the point we're in the fourth quarter of this game, and I know I'm getting ahead of myself. Malik Willis completed one pass. It was a 34-yard dime to Jane Reed down the sideline. And I just, it just occurred to me, God, he's in the perfect place. He is in the perfect place to develop him as a quarterback, no pressure, a coach who knows exactly how to take advantage of his talents. And this entire offense is benefiting from the fact that Matt LaFlewer is their

So I was thinking today about the comeback player of the year and now you're not allowed to just vote for guys for getting better. It made me think, like, we need to have a Most Improved player. Like, that's a more meaningful award to me. Most Improved is all about development and what you want to do as a pro. And I was thinking, Sam Darnold, that would be a nice spot for him to win that award

that Gino Smith. Did Gino win it last year? And I was thinking, Malik Willis, if we had the latter for most improved player of the year, I'd try to sneak Malik Willis in there at five. There's no rule that says you have to play a lot because we saw what he was before. And we've seen what he is this year.

And Lafleur gets a lot of credit, but Malik Willis gets even more credit because some of those passes he made in the runs, obviously he made in that early stretch. That's helped set them up for this run that they've had now where they're running the ball so well. Yeah, it just made me consider their season in total, which is like week one, Jordan Love gets hurt,

and it's doomsday for the Packers. We're on this podcast talking about, oh, man, they lost week one. What are they going to do? Now they don't have their quarterback. They win the next two games with Malik Willis because LaFleur knows how to put him in the right spots and take advantage of his talents. I totally agree, by the way.

We should, it's our show. We could do whatever we want. Let's have a most improved player ladder. Why not? Okay, maybe we will. And I know not that many important people are listening, but we do have an AP writer, Josh Dubot, who listens to this show.

So, like, maybe. we can get him to make the most improved player a thing. I mean, NFL honors, they could use more words. We did assistant coach of the year. No hate like that. But if we're doing assistant coach of the year, I think we can have room for most improved. Yeah, Lafleur, there was one funny play early

where he actually had Kool-Aid McKinistry so confused on like a play fake that he was like spinning like a top looking for the right receiver. I think that was on the fourth down where Love took the check down instead of going deep that Troy Aikman wanted to. And Love didn't have to do that much. I was glad he had that long throw to Jane Reed in the second half because it felt like in the second half, Lefleur came out of halftime and it was like,

all year we've been wanting a complete game. I don't think we've had a complete game, special teams, offense, and defense. And certainly at halftime, you're like, this is the complete game. It's 24-0. In the second half, they're not really moving the ball much for a while. And you're thinking, oh, Lefleur's not going to feel like he gets it.

But they tack on 10 points at the end with a nice deep pass from Love and Willis. And he definitely got his complete game. You can't get any more complete than gaining 400 plus yards, holding them under 200. The shutout, the passing was more than efficient enough. The offensive line has been awesome all year and is really underrated. And they should feel really good going into this Vikings game. And Brandon McManus hits two field goals of 45 plus yards. Look, this is a Packers team that has dealt with inconsistency at kickers since

the departure, and really the end of Mason Crosby, they had Andrews Carlson last year, and he was not good. And now they have consistency in the form of Brandon McManus. So this may be, you know, overreaction to one blowout win, but the way the Packers have played over the last five weeks, save for that narrow loss to the Lions, their defense has been phenomenal. I mean, absolutely fantastic. We had a pressure rate over 50% tonight, which was crazy. Totally shut down the Saints offense, especially in that first half. They finished under 100 yards in the first half. And so their defense has been playing phenomenally. We know what their offense can do. Now they have a reliable kicker as well. Call me crazy,

Greg, but I don't think it's too far fetched to throw them among the elite contenders in the NFC right now. No, the problem is that it's not a normal year. 11 and 4 should you win you a division and get you a home game at the very least. Some years it might have you in the mix for the one or the two seed. Instead, they have almost no chance to even be second place in their division. I should I didn't say that. It's not that far-fetched. All they got to do is win their last two games. They got to beat the Vikings, and then they need the Vikings to lose against the lions. That's not that crazy of a scenario. And then actually they would get up to five. They would pass the Vikings. ESPN put out that scenario. Now they could fall down to seven as well if they lost down the stretch and in Washington past them. And I actually think it could be a meaningful difference between five, six and seven. You get the five seed and you're playing the winner of the NFC South, that's great. If you're the sixth seed, right now you'd be playing the Rams. That is probably who it will wind up being.

Okay, that's manageable. If you're the seventh seed, you probably have the Eagles. So those are three different tiers. I think it does matter. I think the Packers will be tempted to rest everyone in week 18 against the bears and maybe care less about seating. But that's a conversation for a week for now. I'm glad you mentioned the pressure numbers.

Yeah, Van Ness had a good game, I thought. Roshan Gary had a good game. He's been playing better. And, yeah, the running game is what really stuck with me. Guess their success rate tonight. I don't know if you're like a success rate. It was over 50%. The last time I checked it was just in the fourth quarter.

It was 64%. Oh, wow, it got even higher. And I think the same is like 35. Anything over 50 is incredible on the ground for them to do that. Granted, everyone listening to the, this. Like, are you going to mention that they're playing the Saints? It's like, yeah, okay, other teams haven't done this to the Saints. It's what you do against teams that are dead. And the Saints, they're pretty dead. They couldn't tackle anyone. I don't think we need to

dive too deep into their roster that there's going to be a lot of changes. But give me, give me just your thoughts in Spencer Rattler back in the starting lineup after a couple of game stretch earlier in the season. You know, I think it was pretty evident in the first half and by the third quarter that, look, he's playing with a deck that's just not full. You know, Alvin Camarra's not out there. The receiving core is made up of a number of guys who you may have never even heard of at this point. Juan Johnson might be their best receiving threat at tight end right now.

And they're just, they don't have a lot of guys. They don't have a lot of weapons. And it's a rookie quarterback against the defense is playing with its hair on fire. So it's going to be a challenge, especially when you face a pressure rate like he did throughout this game. I didn't think he actively hurt them. He had two turnovers. He fumbled the ball away when he got hit.

and he also threw an interception by not putting enough on the football. And there was a window there and he just didn't throw it hard enough velocity. But on the play prior to that, he made a fantastic jump pass to convert a third down. And I was like, there's the talent. Yeah, but that play was crazy. That was the two-play sequence that defines Spencer Rattler as a rookie. He didn't need to jump. He just jumped for fun, for style.

I've never seen anyone put that much velocity on a jump pass. Yeah. That went 15, 20 yards down the feet. field. There's some starting quarterbacks in the NFL. I'm not going to name names because their fans are going to get mad. But they couldn't throw it that fast with their two feet on the ground. Spencer Rattler's got a hose. So it would be fun to see him at some point in a different system. But yeah, he lost his center today. Eric McCoy. Mvess got sick on Monday. He's been their number one receiver. So he didn't even play. I mean, it was a it was a disaster for

them even before. Yeah, I mean, Kevin Austin and Dante Pettis are the leading receivers that aren't playing tight end. Foster Moreau and Chuan Johnson, three guys finished in two catches each. This is a low ceiling offense with just no firepower. So I can't hold it against him. I see what fuels the agenda with Spencer Rattler. It's the throw like the one we just talked about. But it's not, you know, he's not, and he's better than Dorian Thompson Robinson. I'll say that, but he's still a rookie quarterback. I was talking to my friend Adam West, who does the Saints Black Party podcast who was talking about, well, you got to, you got to see what you have in Rattler, you know, down the stretch?

I was like, yes, but there's literally nothing Rattler could do in this stretch that would impact what your decision making is. And that includes if he played incredible in the next three weeks, he looked like one of the best rookie quarterbacks in the league out of summer. You still are taking a quarterback if you want to take a quarterback and you're still doing a free agency. And Rattler's there. Like he can be part of some competition.

Let's move off from that because the only. The only important takeaway, I think, from this game, from the Saints perspective, is just, I believe big nights like this prime time could impact Mickey Loomis' chances to keep that job. It's all I thought was important over the rest of this saint season. I know locally they've talked that Darren Rizzi could keep that job. There's no way he's going to keep that job. but I do think losing 34-0 in prime time

I think it's going to help Gail Benson, the owner look at what has happened with this organization and make a decision that for whatever reason locally they don't think she's going to make and get rid of Mickey Loomis who's been running this

organization like a mob boss for like 25 years so everyone's afraid to say anything about it. It's like Tammany Hall if you're a historian. And I think when she fired Dennis Allen over his wishes, that showed me, okay, she's a little more plugged in and how this season ended would maybe affect him or not. And we're seeing how it's ending, whether it's fair or not, I think he's going to be out.

So I'm just, that's my prediction. I'm glad you described him as a mob boss because I wrote in the what we learned that he's Teflon Strong because he just, for some reason, he avoids all the bullets. Like he just keeps his job. This may be the low point that makes them considered. I totally agree with you. It's just that we are heading into an offseason in which who are the candidates to replace. You know, a lot of GMs are names that you don't typically know of at the time until the

interviews start. There's plenty. He's from a whole different generation. The reason he's Teflon is because he runs the organization in a way. He is almost an acting owner. From all reports, she's very hands off. They have the Pelicans too. And he's involved in the business.

He's involved in everything. and I think it's just going to be a lot of work to replace them, but I think they need to do that work. Yeah, there's a bit of a right-hand man thing going on there and you go away from that security. But how low do you sink before you decide to make a change? I think we're pretty close now. I think we're there.

I think we got there tonight. And yet we came through with energy, with professionalism. Like Rashon, Gary, if you happen to see that clip of him stepping into that interview with Jordan Love and scaring the hell out of Lisa Salter, just check that out. We couldn't get the rights to it. But if we could, I would play it right here. We came through with energy and professionalism. And in the spirit of Christmas, we came through with a jug of eggnog. Right. Oh. Yeah. Okay. This is for the YouTube audience. We're going to

fit this in. You're an eggnog, drink at home guy. To the face. No alcohol. Just eggnog. Okay. I loved it as a kid. And it's been a long time. It's been a long time since I've had it. So maybe, maybe an honor of you, I will have. That is creamy. It's like a little too sweet, you know, it's like, a little sweet. I don't need all that sweet at my age. All right, 34-0, Packers set up an important week 17 game.

That's all we look for this time of the season against the Vikings. We will be back after the break. We are going to make our coach of the year ladder, do a little news, and then get on our merry way back in the week. What's up, everybody? Daniel Jeremiah here. And I'm Bucky Brooks. On Move the Sticks, we take you inside the game from scouting reports and player development

to team building philosophies, coaching trends, and how front offices construct winning rosters. Every week, we study the tape, talk to decision makers, and share the insights you won't find anywhere else. It's the kind of conversation that connects the dots from college football prospects to the NFL stars of tomorrow. We break down the draft, analyze matchups, and evaluate how teams put it all together on game day. Plus, we dig in the coaching strategies, roster construction, and the trends that shape the league year after year. Whether you're a diehard fan or just love understanding the game on a deeper level, we give you the full picture. 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. I'm Drew Franklin. And this is NFL Cover Zero. We're just here to try to give you an NFL perspective a little bit different. Did you see the Colts Pretzel? That was my other big takeaway from that game. What was that?

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

And I'm Michael Fulrio, 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. Back on NFL Daily. Not a lot of news. Maybe just the teams are hanging out. fine presence.

We got to get Shook on the way. I mean, Shook's got a massive family there in Cleveland. That's why he moved back. I'm sure he's got some presents. He's got some family. I got some wrapping for you tonight.

I'll tell you that. Okay. So we got to get you on your way and you lucked out because, yeah, there's really not a lot of news. One item, which I haven't seen getting picked up in a lot of places,

so I did want to shout it out. Here is Sean McDermott getting asked about possibly resting his starters and they weren't talking about week 18 they were talking about this week I thought it was interesting let's listen I think

really we're in the mode of taking it one day at a time right now may know a little bit more later in the week and if that comes up we'll we'll kind of dive into that then but for right now we're just taking it one day at a time here

so I've said a lot on this podcast how if a coach is saying he hasn't decided or he's evaluating the quarterback situation on a Monday he always makes the change

I've been in this situation enough to know when they say we'll come up with it then in this case like oh he's probably going to rest his starters in week 17

if the chiefs win which is really interesting to me I think that was how I took that answer that if the chiefs win on Christmas and you're playing

your fantasy championship, watch out that Josh Allen might not play that whole game or they'll be careful with injured players or they'll just rest players in general. I think for him to give that answer shows that they've already thought about it. And maybe they wouldn't rest week 17, 18. Maybe they'd rest week 17 and they'd play week 18, but, you know, going into the playoffs. Who knows? But it just shows that it's on Sean McDermott's mind already. I think he's operating with the rare privilege of the chiefs playing the Steelers on Christmas and that being a determining factor. But if you look at the standings in the conference at least, that's not necessarily the only

team that could threaten them for seating. So I think it's a cautious approach in which he looks around and says, we're going to evaluate what happens after this week. But I also think it's the right approach because your quarterback's your most important guy and we saw him loose feeling in his arm and you saw what happened with that. So I think they got a reminder of how important your quarterback. Well, yeah, but the one. to the two is huge. Do they care about, you know, the two to the three, potentially, but they have a

game to play with there as well. They're up to games on the Ravens who would be the team that has a tiebreaker on them there. So they could even punt one week or they could win with their backups this week and then play their starters next week. Just something to watch. I just don't think it's gotten any pickup, but that got on my radar there. The Texans who are also playing on Christmas. We're in the news quite a bit on Monday. They claim Deontay Johnson. So is this just like oh, he's got all the Ravens playbook? That's what people thought because I know they could use some talent, but at this point, you got to assume Deontay Johnson is not helping your football team in 2024, I guess. I mean, he didn't help the Ravens. He's on an odyssey of sorts this year,

going from Carolina to Baltimore now onto Houston. I also think that it's, a reaction to the fact that you lost tanked L, you don't have Stefan Diggs, you could use another veteran body in there. So maybe he does see the field. I think maybe it is more than just intel gaining, you know, maybe. Maybe. Or they get a feel of them and obviously other teams haven't loved what they've gotten out of Deonté Johnson, but he is a free agent. Maybe they'd be in a position to be like, hey, if you're going to take a cheap one year contract next year because you've hurt your value so low, where the, we're the team for you or the relationship gets worked on. We'll see.

I'm not expecting much. As you mentioned, Tankdale out for the season. D'Amico Ryan's announced not only does he have a dislocated kneecap, he also has a torn ACL. So once again, just wishing the best. That is going to be a tough recovery for Tankdell for a second off season. He's been through a lot, and we hope that he gets better. Somewhat surprising news, Jimmy Ward, their safety who had really played well for them,

is also out for the season. So that was a big loss in that game. He left midway through that game. He is not going to be back at all. So that's a big hit in their secondary. And Shaq Mason, who's one of the better players on a beleaguered offensive line, is week to week. So a lot of injuries there for the Texans before they suit up against the Ravens. They're heavy home underdogs.

We'll talk about that on Tuesday show. We are having a Tuesday morning Christmas Eve Day show that Jordan Rodriguez and I are going to tape. And so that'll be in your feed sometime on Christmas Eve afternoon. and then we're going to be dark for Christmas, haven't laid out the schedule here yet. I'm just honking, Nick, because I want to get to this ladder of the coaches of the year. A couple of just small injury items.

Olu Faschinoo of the Jets who's played well is going to be out for the rest of the season, but it's not a serious injury, like a long-term injury, it's a foot injury. And J.K. Dobbins, the Chargers running back, was designated to return, is going to be at practice.

So I would love to see him on Saturday in Foxborough on NFL Network with our friend Chris Rose and Ross Tucker on the call. That's a fun duo. I will get your take on this. Vikings Packers moved to 425 Eastern on Sunday. A rare flex for a game that's like five days away. I love that.

They're going to be the whole national window. It's a very strange Sunday slate, Nick. I don't know if you've looked at it. Only six games early and only two games late. So the whole country is going to be watching that Vikings Packers game. It's one of the only really big games we have left the rest of the season, to be honest. I was hoping you were going to get my Chris Rose takes because that's my guy

but I'm just kidding okay no let's hear it let's hear no that is my guy I love Chris Rose I just ran for like two minutes that's the homie he's well versed in baseball and I text him about baseball all the time

he's a great guy no it's that slate's not great you already had to flex the Browns out of a primetime game into the four o'clock window just to get them out of there when they're playing the dolphins so why not put at least Packers Vikings

a game with a ton of significance in the same window I'm sure it'll be America's game of the week Oh, yeah, it's literally the only game at 425. Now, the Dolphins, you're right, are at 405. And then there's only six games early. And, yeah, they're not a lot of big games. Cowboys Eagles is probably the best game early.

Saturday, well, the Christmas week, a Thursday nighter, three Saturday games. We're going to be all spread out, which means we're going to be watching football pretty much every day this week. Yeah, while we're here, we got two Wednesday games. That's Christmas.

No NFL Daily on Christmas. had mercy on the Roberts family celebrating their first Christmas with their baby. Baby's first Christmas. Yes. And then we are going to be doing our Thursday preview show that it's usually taped on Wednesdays, but we're still doing the normal Steve Weish, Patrick Claibon, and myself will be without Weish actually, now that I'm thinking, because he's going to be in Foxborough on NFL Network for too much information.

Anyways, we're doing our preview show on Thursday. That'll come out. We will not be doing a Thursday night recap. this week because we're going heavy on these shows and we will be back, of course, as usual for our Sunday night recap. So that is the order. Let's get to the coach of the year ladder.

This is what matters. This is what the people want. Our ladders have been taking over the internet. Denver Broncos fans loved when I left Bo Nix out of the rookie of the year conversation. Yeah, hasn't played great since, but we'll see. I'm also leaving Sean Payton out of the coach of the year. I'm just going to start with that.

Sorry. Oh, okay. This is so, the group is so good. I'm just going to say the like four guys, and I guess I'm spoiling some things here. Here are four guys that didn't make mine that if you put them like two or three in yours, I would say totally understand it. Sean Payton just missed. Sean McDermott, you know, they weren't even predicted to win their division in Vegas or whatever this year, although I had them, of course, winning the Super Bowl. Let's go.

Jim Harbaugh, big turnaround for the Chargers and Matt Lafleur, who we saw tonight. Those guys didn't even make my list. Let's start with your list at number five. We'll figure out who didn't make your list as we go. We're going to have some variance here. And I had a really hard time figuring out number five because I think LaFleur does deserve a spot here. He is going to be number five on my ladder because of what we discussed earlier in the show, which is how he's really just grown this Packers offense to be a unit that can attack you from so many different angles. The way that he handled the Malik Willis situation, they didn't miss a beat with him. They changed their offense dramatically in those games to accentuate his strengths and went out in one

football games. That alone, plus the potential of what they can do as they ride this hot streak into the postseason makes me think, look, I know he's had a lot of success there and a lot of people put all that on Aaron Rogers early in his time there. But this is a damn good coach. And I don't care that they made, you know, a deep run in the playoffs last year. I don't care about that. I'm not, I'm not, you know, I'm not using that as an evaluation here. He's had a great year of coaching. He's done a fantastic job. He deserves number five on my list. Totally get it. Like it. Fits my criteria, too, of just, is he a great coach? Like, It's not just if you improved your team from a year ago because the team before stuck,

like he is right there with McVeigh and anyone else as one of the best X's and O's coach and obviously can run an organization. That's why I have Mike Tomlin number five. I know they're coming off of a couple losses here and the last couple of weeks are going to be really important. When I mentioned those four coaches that miss just for me, so that's nine different coaches. I probably could shake up my four through nine almost in any way. I feel good about my top three right now, top three to four. But the rest, we'll see how this season shakes out.

But as we stand now, I think he's done a great job. I think he was bold with the Russell Wilson move. Overall, it's just the, you see it on the hard knocks what he brings to get them ready to play each and every week. They've exceeded my expectations. Mike Talman is my number five. Give me your number four. I had 11 guys in total in consideration here.

So that's how deep this field is. My number four, I actually just made a last minute change because I just thought about it. It's Sean McVeigh. And it's not because, you know, he's got a Super Bowl ring and everything else. It's because they've weathered an incredible amount of adversity. We wanted to leave them for dead at about week five this season. They were in a bad spot and then they go on a run just to get back to 500. And it felt like a significant achievement with all the injuries they'd suffered.

They lost Puka, Nakua in week one. They lost Cooper Cups shortly thereafter. They dealt with just an array of issues. And yet he's steadied this ship. They've won games in different ways. won an ugly game this last weekend. They've won a couple of ugly games in a row. They've gone out and outgunned the Buffalo Bills at home. They've done it in every way possible. And I think that all starts with their coach who flirted with retirement, has come back with

the team that struggled and has got them back in playoff contention now. I think he deserves recognition. And he's better at game management. You're right. He should be on my list of at least 10 that you shake up because, again, no problem with that. We're really splitting hairs with all these guys. I'm making a last second change. I'm putting Dan Quinn actually as my number four. Now, this is an award that's more than just X's and O's. Their defense, and he's a defensive guy, is 21st in the league in DVOA. Now, that's a big improvement from last year when they were 31st.

So he gets some credit for that. I'm not going to give him a crazy amount of credit when they're 21st, but it's a talent-poor roster overall that's going to make the playoffs in his 10 and 5, and he made the decision to hire Cliff Kingsbury. And he also, like Mike Tomlin, is more than just X as and O's. He's a culture changer. He runs the building. I think he probably learned a lot from the first time he was a head coach.

If you're wondering why he's not higher, it's just because the other coaches are incredible. But I think he's deserving to be number four. Sometimes I don't, I don't totally love giving, we tend to give coach of the year to the guys who pop up out of nowhere and have one good surprise. year. And I'm giving something that may be a little more program building. So Dan Quinn, you get it at number four. If you get even better next year like some of these coaches are, you'd probably be even higher next year. All right. Give me yours. Mine is also Quinn at three. Okay. For all the reasons that you just- He was number three on mine and I wrote down, but I just changed it as I was going. No, I think that the state of the Washington franchise last year, as opposed to where it is now,

they have taken so many steps forward. I know Jane Daniels has a lot to do it. I know what Cliff Kingsbury does. But what you just said, I think rings very. true with me, which is that it's still a talent board defense that's 10th and yards allowed per game. I know they're 21st in DVOA and they're like 18th in points allowed per game, but they have taken enough of a step forward to make a playoff contending team, which is not anywhere near where we would have projected them when the season started. And that alone is an achievement that deserves some acknowledgement. Yeah, I'm going Andy Reid number three. This is the one where just people are so sick of the chiefs that I can imagine some would get annoyed, but it's just who has

been the best coach this year, and who's just the best coach? It's a hard thing to evaluate. But I do think when you're evaluating MVP, it's just like, well, who's a better player? It's who's having the best year, but also just who's better. And how can you say that your coaches that you would argue for are just a better coach than Andy Reed? I think it'd be hard to argue that. And then you look at the record that he's set in terms of consecutive one score wins. And I give Kevin O'Connell, you know, spoiler alert, a lot of credit for his one score win record, too. Well, you can't knock the goat. Okay, I guess I'm doing the thing that kids do where multiple people are, the goat,

because I don't think Andy Reid is the goat. But he's like, he's up there. He's the most important, I believe, offensive mind of this century. And he's gotten so much better at the game management stuff. And they keep winning these one score games. And he's taken, I think, a very flawed team. and he has them with the best record in the NFL. Wins and losses matter a lot, I believe, for the coach of the year award.

So if anything, you could argue he should be even higher, Andy Reid number three. Yeah, I actually agree with this a lot. He's not on my top five because of Chief's fatigue. Not that I experience it, but I just expect this from him. Let's change Go-Cack to Go-Cack, greatest of currently active coaches. There we go, go-Cack. He's the Go-Cack. He is, without a doubt, the Go-Cack.

now that Bill Belichick is at UNC with his son, Steve. Another feather in the cap for our guy, Ali Connolly, who reported Steve Belichick was going there weeks ago before everyone else did. All right, give me your number two. My number two is going to be Sean Payton. And look, it's not easy to like Sean Payton because of his demeanor. But you love to see him unleash his offensive genius on a team that has a quarterback that he realizes he can work with.

And he can work with Bo Nix. The way that he has adjusted to Bo Nix's strengths, gotten him out on the run so much and allowed that player to develop and also succeed, save for the last couple of weeks. I think it was a massive feather in his cap. It was just a huge stride forward

for this entire franchise because we knew that this is a team that had a defense that has played better than probably most people expected, but it was going to be good. And now the quarterback is playing well enough for them to be in contention as well. Like they don't get here without Sean Payton

the way that he's adjusted to his personnel this year, which a lot of coaches struggle with. They try to fit square pegs into round holes. John Payton's not doing that. Granted, he had to go draft the guy to fit him into the hole, but it's working out for them. So I think he deserves some praise for that, too. Love it.

Like I said, this is not an award where I'm going to push back on what other people think. I really think there's a lot of ways you could go with this. And he does a lot of the things that I am saying is great about these other coaches, like what he's done to get the details and building this offensive line and getting the right coaches and just everything. They are on their P's and Q's they've overachieved. He might end up on my top five in the end. I had him six today.

It means that you don't have either my number two or my number one on your list, which is interesting. My 1B, and I think it's going to be determined who wins my coach of the year and perhaps who wins the AP coach of the year in week 18 by who wins that game. At least that's how I'm looking at it. My 1B is Kevin O'Connell. Outstanding job. I think it's a more talented team than you realize.

So it's not just a bunch of rag-tag guys. I mean, they have a really good offensive lineup. Of course, they lost Derisaw, but there's talent there. Great skill position players around the quarterback. But he's right there with the foremost quarterback coaches in the league. And then he's like Andy Reed, nails in these one-score games. I think they're pretty good in game management. He lets Brian Flores do his thing, but he hired Brian Flores.

and he just seems like a player that former player that has the pulse of his team. So couldn't do a better job. I'm just going to give my top two in a row and then I'll let you go because I think they're connected. I have Dan Campbell still number one. I think they've overcome a lot this year with these injuries and overcome a lot of stepping up from an NFC championship disappointment

where they were one of the best teams in league and actually getting even better, which I think is harder to do as a coach. So I am giving extra credit for the years of building that's gotten him to this point. Because I think that is the hardest thing to do is sustain success. And it's a great coaching job that he's done that. And in game management and Ben Johnson and everything, like, they're incredible at that too. So he's my 1A. KOC is my 1B.

And I will probably favor whoever wins that week 18 game, barring anything else. weird in between. That's probably how I'll go. So I'm going to get a hate for not including Dan Campbell and that's totally fine. I also want to point out that I love what Danny Campbell's done

and I love what Mike Tomlin's done. Mike Tomlin, I've gained immense respect for him. I just want to say that. I did the same thing with Sean Payton. I know. Just want to say that because I love them both very much. But I also think that Dan Campbell

is somewhat comparable to Kevin O'Connell and that both are tied to a really good coordinator. Dan Campbell, obviously, with Ben Johnson, coordinating that offense, and they're putting up tons of points and everything else. Yes, they've overcome a lot, right? Kevin O'Connell is very much tied to Brian Flores. Not as much, though, I think, as Dan Campbell is to Ben Johnson. And this is why Kevin O'Connell this year has gained so much credit with me for how he's piloted this team. This is a team with Sam

freaking darnall that quarterback, and they're excellent. They are a team that I cannot doubt anymore. They're a good team. They're a talented team. They also have a defense that is damn good. A defense that's really aggressive, that creates turnovers, and then the offense goes out and capitalizes on it. But for some reason, when O'Connell first got there and they had all those one score wins a few years ago, I was like, I don't know, flash in the pan, they feel kind of fraudulent.

I'm a full believer in him now as a coach. He's confident. He goes out there and he gets the job done, and he does it in a number of different ways where he's just out coaching the other guys. They're always like a step of ahead. And that, to me, is the sign of a coach who's going to be around for a really long time.

I think that this Viking season has caught most people by surprise, if not everybody, including me, It started at quarterback, but it's much more than that. A lot of it has to do with their coach. What a difficult job it's going to be in Chicago because you're going up against Dan Campbell, Kevin O'Connell, and Matt LaFleurr six times a year indefinitely. I can't remember a division that was this good, especially with young head coaches. It's scary.

It's competitive and it's scary. and then you think about the AFC West where it's like the old crew Sean Payton, Jim Harbaugh and Andy Reid, good luck to the Raiders coach that comes in there. It's like these two divisions are just loaded with really good coaches.

They're just praying for retirements, early retirements for all those guys. Yeah, I mean, in AFC West, they're closer. These guys in the NFC North, they're going to be around a while. That was our coach of the year ladder. You know what time it is now. it's our favorite time a week it's time for the captain's corner presented by captain morgan i've got a

really dumb pick so i'm going to let you go first all right well my my pick's gonna be pretty chalk um you know we talked yesterday about actually weish was the one who texted you just the level of quarterback play that occurred between the vikings and seahawks and seattle sam darnald look it's chalk and i get it but wow chock would be justin jefferson because he was kind of incredible in that game you'll never see me do that's too chalky for me. And that's including the eggnog, you know. It's getting pretty chalky from time to time. Hey, now.

Donald made some throws in that game that we've seen to make before, but that touchdown pass that we played as a highlight yesterday that put them in the lead, doing it on the road. I don't know, man. Like, there's just something about the way he's played this year and the way he played on Sunday that just, again, reinforced that, you know what, I can get behind this team.

He might make a mistake or two here and there, but he is a completely different quarterback than he was a few years ago, and Sunday proved it to me. Way less mistakes. I thought he was really good with his pocket movement. how quickly he's getting through his reeds. Just really solid, really consistent snap to snap. Love that pick.

My pick is Kenny Pickett. Whoa. I watch this game. Okay. And we live in this world where if a receiver catches a ball, and suddenly everyone blames the whole game on the backup quarterback. Like, oh, well, they didn't take advantage with Sequin Barkley. you know, they're loading up to stop him once Pickett and Pickett was terrible and this.

Okay, it's like, I go and watch the game today. I'm expecting Pickett to be terrible. He hits on three fourth down throws. He hits A.J. Brown deep down the field. He gets a couple deep PI's. I'm not saying Kenny Pickett was the best player in the week. But I was like, he was exactly what you would hope out of your backup quarterback in that game. He came in and technically it was only seven.

nothing at the time. They were in the red zone, but he hit the touchdown slant. They put up points. He made a bad mistake or two for sure. Yeah. He also finished the week 13th in EPA per play, 15th in completion percentage over expected. Hits Kenny Freakett. What do you expect? Anyone complaining about Kenny Pickett in this game? I don't like it. So I've decided if he's not he's going to get that much grief from all the Eagles fans in the media that I was listening to, he's going to get my captain of the week just because I'm just feeling generous. Yeah, if he would have

if he would have had his receivers catch a few more of those key passes late in that game. They won the game if Devontas Smith got the ball. And then you're like, that drive, he was great on that drive, actually. Yeah, everybody's on board if they make those catches. So I'm not, you're not too far off. I just think he had a miraculous, like, fourth down

while on the, I'm just, he wasn't even that good. I'm very low on Kenny Pickett. I thought Tanner McKee should have gotten that job. But that was actually one of the best Kenny Pickett performances I've seen. And it was just like, you know, stupid. People just watch the score and they make their highlights. Yeah, yeah, they do.

And that was the captain's corner presented by Captain Morgan. It's delicious and crisp, perfect for game day with friends. Spice it up. Visit Captain Morgan.com to find a captain near you. Please drink responsibly. That was it. Nick, you can get out of here. You can go do some presents.

I haven't even told you this, and that's bad, bad boss work by me. But next week I'm going to be in the studio for Monday night football. We will be back together, me and you, shook, for a Monday night football playoff game. That is the true finale for Monday night football. But I appreciate everything you've been doing on these regular season, Monday nights throughout the season. And that's a reason for you to like and subscribe and come back for more. That's right. Merry Christmas to you.

Shook and the family, we will be back on Tuesday, like I mentioned, with Jordan Rodriguez of the athletic. I might have a little cameo in that. Looking forward to that. And look, when you're getting a shutout and the next NFL game has Mariah Perry leading it off, you know football is back. Finally. 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 the why behind what happens on Sunday. Don't miss it. Listen to the Move the Sticks podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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