NFL Daily with Gregg Rosenthal - Patriots-Bills Recap, Making Sense of the Cowboys with Jane Slater

Episode Date: December 7, 2021

A room filled with some heroes - Dan Hanzus, Marc Sessler and Gregg Rosenthal recap the Patriots trip to Orchard Park to face the Bills. Jane Slater joins to make sense of the Cowboys and then the heroes preview the Steelers-Vikings TNF matchup. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comNFL 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. Be around the NFL podcast. This whole arrangement is absurd. From the Chris Wessling podcast studio, it's Around the NFL podcast. NFL. I'm Dan Hansis. There are heroes in this room with me. Greg Rosenthal, Mark Sessler. Now that I've set the table, we will talk about professional football for the next hour or so.

Well, you know, it's like we settle into these routines throughout the week every Tuesday is kind of the same Tuesday. And I think the way you just started this podcast is a fresh approach that's going to breathe new life into this podcast in particular. That would step out of that routine. That would have been valuable at any of that that came out of your mouth been sincere on any level But it's true

That was a different It woke me up I'll decide I was You know Sending an email About you know Some holiday party drama

And Dan I was like Oh what's Where's Dan going with this I gotta pay attention I like Take me out of the routine Do you think this is still

A good podcast Like where do you guys come down on it Actually you guys are probably too close B minus Hit or miss I mean Is this podcast? Is this podcast?

definition. Ah, good podcast. I think it is one of the best. And actually, that's funny you ask, this actually wasn't a setup. I got a message this morning from some shadowy league figures. And apparently, around the NFL made pod tracks top 20 industry agnostic podcast rankings for the month of November. What religion are you?

Oh, I'm industry agnostic. Wow, what is that? Like the PFF of podcasts? Yeah, it's top podcasts. And we, the daily, the New York Times is number one, NPR is two. We are, we are number 16 out of 20. That is huge. And that came from a shadowy league figure because I've always been under the impression that none of the shadowy league figures are aware that this is a podcast, that this exists.

Well, now they've got the eye heart deal. Right. Well, we don't got the high art deal. These some ad money flowing in. And then they're like, huh, these boys are playing with the big hitters. Yeah, producers, see. And speak, oh, go ahead, Mark. Well, no, would you have told us that had Dan not prompted you?

Actually, yeah, I was going to tell you after the show. It seems like important information to pass. I've often, you know, back in the day, this bothered, I remember Wes at the time. I think you guys too. I was saying, like, we're the Big Bang Theory of Podcasts, not critically popular, but just huge numbers. You know, we're just like, we're coasting along and, like, and we're doing great. We're in season nine. The only thing is we're not making $6 million an episode.

like all those actors. But I was going to say enough of the navel gazing, but one thing I did want to talk about is Spotify releases. It's, you know, all the breakdown of your listening habits. And as happens every year. The rapt. The rapt. Very, you know, much welcome to all the fans that step up and send screen grabs.

The top podcast was around the NFL podcast. And so I want to give it a shout out to like guys like and gals, but this is a guy, Declan. Mulvahill, who listened to 100 episodes for a total of 6,567 minutes. And then like, okay, that's good. Good job, Dak, in a big spot. But then there's Jim Loring, who listened to 107 episodes for a total of 7,061 minutes. And that's pretty crazy.

But it's not as good as Nick Lanzah, who I don't know if anybody beats Nick this year. Try to top Nick, please, if you're out there. According to this screen grab, Nick listened to 505 episodes for a total of 29,000 and 38 minutes. Nick probably single. Nick definitely loyal and it's a it is a trend or it is something that people do connected to our showmark, which is they relisten to past seasons just to kind of follow the sport through the years.

Of course, it also gets you back to Chris Wessling and that's a great element of this. People will listen from 2013 onward. and catch up to the show, and that's obviously something Nick did. There are tons of deep gems in the past. I find it interesting because I can't remember what we talked about on Sunday night at this point with the way this thing works. If any of them are attached to significant others or burgeoning significant others, they'll be probably very annoyed with the individuals you just mentioned.

There's a lot of time going in other directions, but I find them to be delightful and their habits to be delightful. It's amazing, especially this year. I mean, we'll never have a year like this year. that everyone stuck with us. I know it was like a lot of people found it hard to stick with us after Chris died, and I totally understand that.

It is hard to keep going. Doing the numbers, though, of what Nick did. Sure. That equals 20 days. 20 days of his year. And that's not counting sleep. So if you, you know,

throw in eight hours of sleep here, that's basically you spend a month of his year listening to our podcast. Wow. To answer your... A little... Your question. I adore it.

I know. If anyone can top that, send it to us. And if you can't, I think Nick deserves something. Nick, I'm sorry if someone tops you, you don't get anything. Nick, reach out to Ricky Hollywood on Twitter. Ricky, I'm being serious on DM and however you want to connect. And we've got to send something. Yeah, for sure.

Listener to the year. And if you're Declan, sorry, you got mentioned, but you're not getting a gift or anything special. I was just going to, you know, to circle back, you asked if this is a good show. A good show. Ah, good show. And Jet was brought up something that you guys mentioned on like the last, you know, Tuesday show who's driving to take finals at USC

and all her stress is actually listening. I didn't even know she listened to ATIN and she likes to be close to you guys and she prefers the Tuesday shows. It's just a little bit less. A little bit less. But I didn't even know that. I didn't even know that.

She's full of surprises. I love that, Jet. Yeah. I love that. that jet. Keeper, a keeper. She's a real keeper. Yeah.

Anyway, thank you to everybody. Don't fuck up, Ricky. Yeah, I would say that would be regret Boulevard. Yeah, there's no coming back from that one. You got to bring that plane in for a landing. Greg continues just to type, like, is it a novella you're working on over here? While we're staging an actual show, Greg totally unplugged, staring at his keyboard. Wait, Greg's not involved in my life.

What? All right, good stuff. Let's get into the show. we're going to preview Thursday night football week 14 right around the corner and it starts with a real great game borderline not quite but kind of in that realm loser goes home match between the Steelers and Vikings at US Bank Stadium we will preview that game also an old friend that we haven't had on the show in a while we've tried but she's tough to book but we got her this time Jane Slater Cowboys Corner with Jane Slater check in on America's team where they're at

as the season enters the home stretch. But before any of that, we got to close the door on week 13. And to do that, we talk Bill's Patriots. Toss comes to the near side for Harris. He runs through a big hole. And he's gone to the 50, a burst to the 40, alone to the 20. Damien Harris, to the house. Touchdown, Patriots.

Bob Sochi with the call, W-E-E-I. Zolak mumbling in the background somewhere. Damien Harris takes it all the way. It was the biggest play of the biggest win of the year for the New England Patriots who go up to Orchard Park and take out the Buffalo Bills. 14 to 10 in one of those really weird, fun primetime games. The weather, absolutely a factor in this game. Swirling winds.

Cold as hell. And it was the New England Patriots that came out on top. Mark Sessler. I know you love this. Mack Jones finished the day with three pass attempts. They ran the ball 46 times the Patriots, and they get it done. I adored it on deep levels. I don't think this happens without a coach like Bill Belichick,

who is just leaning on decades and decades and decades of experience and total buy-in during the week, while we're all talking about, like, will Matt Jones shine in the moment against this Bill's defense? Will he make the throws we're expecting him to make? Yeah, he'll make three of them. And meanwhile, we're going to bludgeon a defense that's been overpraised that was blasted by the cults a couple weeks ago on the ground.

They weren't afraid of the Buffalo Bill's defense. The New England Patriots were not afraid of the Buffalo's Bill's defense. They did not waver from their plan for one second. They weren't marvelous on offense themselves. They did just enough. but I thought that the way they executed, the way that every player basically just said we're going to go in here

and psychologically change the AFC East from the ground up. I mean, you had Sean McDermott coming out of this as testy as we've ever seen. Let's listen to Sean McDermott. Because obviously the narrative that formed during the game was Belichick has really cooked a special one up here and I think certain elements of the bills that rubbed them the wrong way.

Let's listen to Sean McDermott. There are a few shots on the broadcast of view very visibly frustrated and animated. How would you just explain the psychological component of coaching against Bill Belichick, especially when he's doing something like that, just running the ball in time? Yeah, it's not, let's not give more credit than we need to give credit to Bill Belichick in this one. It was, whether it's Bill or anybody else, they beat us, right? But you sit here and you tell me when they start with the average starting, When we start with the average starting field position

to the 40-yard line and he starts with the 23-yard line and I'm rounding up in both cases and we were 1 for 4 in the red zone and they were 0-for-1 in the red zone, you'd give me that ahead of time. I'm saying, I like my chances. I like my chances.

I would just, I'll ask this to you. I mean, I get what he's saying to some degree, but aren't they also telling on themselves a little bit? They did have better field position. They did get into the red zone. They failed where the Patriots succeeded. I mean, this to me was, about as big a loss as the bills could have dealt with this season so far.

I mean, those comments to me were so telling because they made no sense. I didn't know what he was saying. What was he saying that we were put in great situations all night and we kept blowing it? He seemed to be pointing his finger at Brian Daibald, the offensive coordinator, with those comments and throughout that press conference talking about that they're not a physical football team. Sean McDermott hates this. When he came to Buffalo, the last thing he wanted was to be the team that can't run it in a game like this. And so I really take that from this game, that going into this Bucks game that the Bills are going to have.

Like McDermott is really stressing how much he wants to run the ball more and be a physical team. He hates that it's getting pointed at his defense when they only gave up 241 yards. But to me, like, that is a legitimate takeaway. I watch most of this game thinking, like, this is fun, but it mean, it kind of means nothing. It's not really football. Like, it is and it isn't. It's like they had to take advantage of the situation that was there, but it's not a situation we almost ever see. I mean, there's a reason why Bill Bolshek has never done this before.

He's never had conditions to face like this before. And so it didn't tell me that much about, like, can the bills win in good weather, in a normal weather situation in the postseason. But the Patriots have the type of team that are built for almost anything and they did six offensive linemen all game and they had the fullback all game and they made the bills put three linebackers on the field all game.

And it kind of worked. And if the bill's offense was any good, then they would have thrown more. I think that's what people lost in it. Was that if Belichick was ever worried about the bill's scoring, they would have started throwing, which is why they threw a little bit at the end of the game. So let me attempt to, in my opinion,

translate what Sean McDermott said. I think it rubbed him the wrong way and it rubbed a lot of the players in the bills the wrong way after the game. There was a interview between Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer where a Patriots beat reporter asked them if they were embarrassed to lose a game in which the other team only threw it three times. And they're like, wait, what we lost 14 to 10. I think what Sean McDermott was saying basically was, dude, look at the game.

I know you're framing this as I was, I had circles coaching. around me by the legend Bill Belichick. But we won the field position battle. We were knocking on the door repeatedly in the red zone with a chance to win the game. And we lost. And that's why I agree with you. I think he's maybe Brian Daibald. I think Josh Allen too.

Josh Allen missing throws that would have changed the trajectory of their season down in the red zone making bad decisions, taking bad sacks, things that weren't happening in 2020. I think his frustration was he sees the way the game was being presented to the public as Belichick beats McDermott and out thinks everyone where really his frustration was we didn't execute. We were in possession to win and we failed. And my thought on the Patriots side, because they deserve a ton of credit for winning this game is Tom Brady's gone and they still find ways to win games like this because they continue to be a really well-coached, well-prepared, innovative-thinking organization.

And I do say I am very happy that Tom Brady's not there because that's why they won. They went to the Super Bowl nine times and won six or seven of them, whatever it was, because you took this Brady player who was unbelievable and this coaching staff, which was unbelievably, put him together, and that was once in 100 years. I think I heard you say it doesn't mean anything or you don't take anything away about the bills.

I'm not saying that like if, if the Patriots had won or lot. Like, it was a fun game, but I think going into it and watching it, I think it's dangerous to take huge sweeping conclusions. First of all, it's a close game. You know, it could have gone either way. But my thing is, like, there were how many games, 200 games played this year? None of them were in conditions like this. This isn't, this is football because you have to adapt, but it also is not something that I think is that meaningful for when they play again in a couple weeks necessarily, like when the bills are in the playoffs. It was a total fluky, fun.

Like, we got to figure this out. Like, intellectually, I was very entertained. But it's also kind of like not football if you can't do a forward pass in the year 2020. I just, I don't know. I guess I just look at it differently that there's one football team I know of that would have ever come up with this concept in this game.

Right. And that's what may... So that means something to me because the next time they get together and everyone's going to say, throw out that game because of the weather or whatever, well, it's like you're still going to be dealing with the fact that Sean McDermott can be saying a couple things in that press conference.

But one of them is that the Belichick Patriots, dark cloud that they thought that they had swept away is back. And I think it is extremely frustrated to the bills who are what, one in four in their last bunch of games. I mean, they are going in the wrong direction and the Patriots are peaking. No one saw this coming two months ago. Right. They made the, like, expectations are so hard in the end of the NFL. I think the Browns are finding that. The bills are finding that. That's why I give the Packers under Mildler a lot of credit.

The hardest thing to do is be very good year after year, and you can almost see them feeling that heat. But I love that the Monday Night Football Crew recounted a conversation they had with Belichick about the difference between this Patriots team and last year. And it was like, better players. I was like, that is the main difference. Like, Damien Harris pops that so that they can play this style of game where they're playing with the lead and don't have to be risky.

they've got Judin and Barmore in terms of the pass rush. They pressured Josh Allen 32% of the time. He didn't complete a pass when he was pressured in this game. I thought Alan played really well. Like he showed, I disagreed with you a little bit. I think he showed the difference of like what the strongest arm in the league could do. If Diggs catches that touchdown pass, Dawson Knox doesn't play a terrible game.

They don't fumble in the plus territory. Allen did about as well as I think a quarterback could have done in that scenario. You thought he handled the end of that game well and those two red zone drives. That's money time. And he did not make the plays. He got calling timeouts, taking sacks, missing receivers. But that's, it's also, the timeouts were on McDermott.

And that's where McDermott has to own up to. I blew two timeouts, one with an emotional challenge, which was a waste. And another one, I didn't get the play in in time to Josh Allen or not having my quarterback prepared with a play to call. Not only that, I love that the Mannings pointed out when the Patriots had a third and long setting up their last field goal. The whole point of the play was to put their kicker on the, on the correct hash. It was not what the bills did on their last third and long at all, and the wind ended up hooking

it. But all these things are the difference between the Patriots coaching staff and sorry, every other coaching staff. Yeah. Well, no one's really. Right. I'm not arguing that. Well, no, but when this whole idea of like, oh, you know, let's not put it on Bill

Belichick, well, I do put it on Bill Belichick. I think if they'd gone and faced the cults are a different team that last night, It's another team that will try to do the same thing they always do. The bills essentially try to just be who they are. The Patriots, like, we're going to be something totally different. And yet, and yet, if the bills execute better in the Red Zone, they win the game problem. Because I think the margin for error, I guess it created a very small margin. There's only one play that I can think of where that makes sense to be, and that was Zach Moss.

On the first Red Zone drive, when they're inside the 10, he's got the entire outside. And they haven't been playing Zach Moss because of mistakes like this all year. like there was a touchdown there to be run. Like if Remandre Stevenson got that ball, he's going around the edge and he's scoring a touchdown. And Moss just runs straight into the line and misses it. But I can't think of another play where it's just like the Patriots players beat them, including the last play where Belichick goes incredibly aggressive

and go and cover zero in that situation. And Miles Bryant makes a really great read to break up that pass. Not a good throw either. No, the throw probably wasn't getting there anyways. But I was like, wow, that was. Their offensive line beat Buffalo's line. all night long if you're looking for places for someone i mean they they just went in and they dropped a bomb on them and i will say i'll say this we got a rematch and i think maybe this speaks

to a little bit what you were saying great they have a rematch coming up in two weeks and i do look forward to as fun as that was in the crazy conditions in a primetime game and everybody's enjoying it together on social media and you know the mannings are are digging on it like i would like to see it i want to see mac jones involved in the game i want to see the bills able to run their offense. I want to see these two teams kind of be able to play a normal football game. And that's why it's good. They have a second matchup. This division race is not over. I know it feels over now. But I don't think it is. But at the same time, the bills, they gut check time. Because before they get the pats, they get the bucks. That is rough.

And they are seven and five right now. So all of a sudden, it is really, this is crucible time for the bills. I have a two truths and a lie coming out of this game. You don't have to even answer. I just want you to think about it. In fact, don't answer. Do we have to agree or disagree? Or are they truth? These are three items. Are they opinions or truths? Three items. Okay.

Two of them I consider to be truths, one not a truth. You don't even have to respond. Item number one, the bills are doomed. Okay. Just sit on it. Item number two, everyone is doomed. Okay. Item number three, I have a 25-year-old daughter.

One of those is not accurate. The other two are deadly accurate. Well, I know you have a 25-year-old daughter. Right. You don't know that. That's true. I think everyone is doomed is the lie because everyone includes the entire world

I'm not putting us in there Like yes we'll all die eventually But that doesn't mean doomed I think the fact that you can have a lot of joy And happiness on the way there I don't consider everyone do So we've agreed the bills are doomed Ricky do you agree with that if you're listening

I'm I'm listening I just said the bills are doomed shoot I just yeah I don't know The bills drop down to seven seventh seed like they have a lot of ground to make up. If there's one thing I know is to be sure about anything in the AFC. That's a good place.

I tried it last week and it went really well. So here we are again. All right. So that's Monday night football. That was fun. Let's, uh, it was fun. That was cool. I do love weird weather.

When the flag on top of the upright disappeared is like, okay, it's about, it's about to get nuts. It's about to get great. Yeah, it like added juice and took juice out at the same at the same time. That's why it's good that we're going to get another matchup. And hopefully the, New England weather cooperates, but who knows. All right, let's take a break, and then Jane Slater on the Cowboys.

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, NFL Cover Zero with Matt Jones and Drew Franklin on the I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Toyota, the official automotive partner of the NFL. Visit Toyota.com slash NFL now to learn more. What's up, everybody? Daniel Jeremiah here. And I'm Bucky Brooks. On Move the Sticks, we take you inside the game from scouting reports and player development to team-building philosophies, coaching trends, and how front offices construct winning rosters.

Every week we study the tape, talk to decision makers, and share the insights you won't find anywhere else. It's the kind of conversation that connects the dots, from college football prospects to the NFL stars of tomorrow. We break down the draft, analyze matchups, and evaluate how teams put it all together on game day. Plus, we dig into coaching strategies, roster construction, and the trends that shape the league year after year. Whether you're a diehard fan or just love understanding the game on a deeper level, we give you the full picture. on 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. I'm Marcus Grant. And I'm Michael Fiorio, and together we host the NFL Fantasy Football Podcast. Ready to dominate your fantasy league

this season? 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. All right, time for a guest. And it's a good one. It's our friend. We've been working with her for a long time now. And now she's back on the podcast, Jane Slater, who's all over the Cowboys. Cowboys Corner, I call it, with Jane Slater. Welcome back to the Around the NFL podcast. Jay.

I long for our day sitting poolside and talking football. And I've got a little bit of FOMO knowing that you guys are going to be at the Christmas party and I can't. So if you guys could just FaceTime me in, that'd be awesome. All right. We could bring you in on that. We absolutely can. So Jane, we're trying to make sense of. the Cowboys right now.

And I know they, so they get the job done on Thursday night, New Orleans, and that's a Saints team that's got all sorts of problems. Their defense got it done in the fourth quarter there. So you snap the losing streak. But do you get the sense right now that the Cowboys are on a good trajectory or is this still a searching team that's a little bit of trouble as we hit the home stretch? You know, I do a podcast with a bunch of the beatwriters up at the star once a week. And I found myself arguing with Steve Dennis, the moderator, because this topic came

up and I was defending the Cowboys based on their body of work during that six-in-one stretch. They beat the Chargers on the road. Of course, they almost had the win against Tampa Bay and Tom Brady. And I thought that there was some convincing signs that this team was equipped for a postseason run. And then they sort of, after Dak got injured and then they lost to Mori Cooper for two games. And then to see them play in that Saints game that you just referenced, the Saints didn't have their two starting defensive ends. They're two starting tackles. They didn't have Alvin Camerara,

and they had Tayson Hill. He's been dealing with planter fasciitis and hadn't played four quarters yet. And they kept the door open for the Saints heading into the second half. Now, they were able to get Tony Pollard going that 50 or touchdown. And, of course, there was that one ref call

that the NFL admitted they sort of messed up. And if you talk to the Saints, that took the steam out of what they were doing. But I look at that Raiders overtime law. the Broncos loss. They're a confusing team, but I've got to tell you guys, if you look at the Rams

and the way they've been playing or you look at the Tampa Bay Bucks, I don't know what to make of this team or the NFC right now. So the Cowboys are getting a lot of pieces back on the defensive side of the ball, and I really appreciated Dan Quinn's answer saying that if you had told me

we'd be sitting here at 8 and 4 in December without DeMarcus Lawrence, not having Randy Gregory for a couple of games, he would have said oh wow and essentially now this is cool these guys have been battle tested they're getting reinforcements back and then they're playing a really weak NFC East here three of their four games this month so there's an opportunity there but I would also submit look at the way Washington's been playing they're only two games back the defense beat Tampa Bay bucks 270 held him 273 yards picked him off twice then you see

what they did against the Raiders You saw what they did against Seattle. You saw what they did against the Panthers. This is going to be an interesting month for the NFC East. And I'm going to tell you, I don't know what to make of this Cowboys team right now. They've got the talent. They've got the pieces. But for whatever reason, just the rhythm's been off.

And if you got, you guys, I'd be curious your thoughts because you're not as my op because I am. What did you think of this offense and the way it played against the Saints? Well, I think, you know, you're pointing out and everyone following the Cowboys is sort of wondering, what's happened to them since DAC came back, but there's reasons for it. And all these offenses around the league are going through ebb and flow and some slumps. I mean, the defense, if anything, has been a huge bright point coming off of last year, and Dan Quinn has made that a reliable part of the team. I would ask it this way, like, Kellyn Moore's offense in general,

and you can throw out last year if you want. But they get three years in a row off to very hot starts, and three years in a row, they tend to kind of, I wouldn't say flatline, but they lose some of their star power that makes you think they're that explosive. Is there anything about the Kellynmore offense that is contributing to what we're seeing? I'd love to have our research department look into this

because it might be hard to quantify and qualify, but I think about the offenses and how hot they were, but when they started to lose steam was we started having problems with the offensive line. Think about Travis Frederick when he had Guillain-Burray syndrome. When I think about Zach Martin, when he wasn't there with COVID, when I think about Lel Collins, who had the suspension,

when I think about Tyrant Smith, who's had injuries pop up, everyone wants to point to that 2016 offense that was predicated around the run. Well, it was easy to run the ball when you had the Great Wall of Dallas. They haven't really had that. And they've also been playing with that offensive line a lot, which we joke about around here

because when we brought up the notion, was it last year or this year, I can't remember, it's all blending together, the notion of the best starting five and it was Mike McCarthy said we can't play fantasy football consistency is key. They haven't had a lot of consistency

on that offensive line to share and in fact they've been tinkering with things not only during series or in game but throughout the year and so I think they're trying to figure out what to do with that left side and Connor Williams I'm just not so sure

that some of these games are the place to do it. It's like I always have a theory with the Cowboys that they stink in the years that they're coming off good years because it's like they're just such first of all their ownership like tells them how great they are all offseason they're like their celebrities i think in a way in Dallas that almost no NFL team um is in their hometown and they just come out the next year and they're like always disappointed i almost wonder if that like happened halfway through this season because jerry jones started talking about like they're this is the greatest team ever and i have

this vision of the cowboys who to me on paper are actually the best team in the NFC and they're actually healthier now than almost any of the other NFC teams and they're gonna have everything in place for the next five games it's in front of them but the Cowboys team that's in my mind is the one that destroyed the Eagles and the Panthers

and that was like two months ago now like they got to start showing up do you think they almost started buying their own Jerry Jones type too early in this season what's the analogy in dating that every time a man says he's sorry you start to love him less. I feel like that's the Cowboys, like, fan base.

It's like every year they're like, we're going to come back next year. And it's like I've noticed, I mean, my father is literally, he carries the flag for this. He's the type of guy that literally starts the first quarter with that cowboy flag plane, you know, flying in the front yard. And then he takes it down, not dissimilar to what happens with the Texas Longhorns. Rollercoaster, that's hilarious. I think the reason why people were so high on the hog this year was because, because of how bad this team was last year. I kept saying if they got a middle of the pack defense,

this team could be special given what they had on offense. I mean, they have an embarrassment of riches when you look at their three wide receivers. Not to mention you've had guys like Cedric Wilson, Maurice Kennedy, who have sort of come out of nowhere that are receiving threats. You've got Tony Pollard that can give you the burst for a 50-yard touchdown. You haven't got much play out of your tight ends. That's fair.

But when you look around the league, what other teams have that many weapons in the NFC? I mean, there's not a line. And they're all back. The O line's back. It's healthy. Like the weapons are back. They're healthy.

And now the defense is back. It's healthy. So show it to me. It's Washington twice. It's the Giants. It's the Cardinals. It's at Philadelphia. It's a very interesting, you know, division heavy schedule here.

But to me, it's still all in front of them to go get that two or three seed. And I do believe that team can return. Two or three seats. I think it will. I just, I keep thinking if they had 10 other deck Prescott's on that offensive side of the ball, this team could really be special. And I'm not taking away anything from like the Zach Martins of the world or, you know, the Tyrant Smith or even Ezekielity who's been battling through the right knee, which you could argue is that the best thing that they should be doing right now is keeping, I would have sat Zeke against the Saints personally, kept him fresh for some of these official games, but that's above my pay grade. I'm just here to report. it's just they just for whatever reason can't seem to put it all together although I would submit

I don't think any of us expected them to be what the foreseed right now and the NFC given what we saw last year so I don't know is keep the expectations low and you'll be pleasantly surprised yeah I think you look at the schedule here Jane and it does look at I think because of the slump here and because of Green Bay, Arizona, and Tampa, to me being the clear class of the NFL, not just the NFC, I think right now it's like, all right, let's go 10 and 7,

let's win our division, and let's get a home game in the playoffs, and hopefully things start clicking again. Do you think, and I know you said, like 11 dacks in their set, so you don't put anything in like the splits of the calf injury, he comes back, and I know he made some real money throws,

some brilliant throws against the Saints as well, but statistics, and when you look at the offense as a whole, they haven't been the same since his return. Do you think he's been hindered at all physically since his return, or is that a thing of the past? I mean, to your point, you could say that,

but then you see some of the throws that he makes and some of the throws that he makes in the fourth quarter, and you're like, this is not a guy that's feeling limited. I think, if anything, not having Michael Gallup for what was it, five, six weeks, not having Amari Cooper for the two. They've talked about this even coming into the seasons, how, you know, it takes practice to get the timing right with some of your wide receivers.

And I think it could be a combination of that. And then also a combination of whether he'll admit it or not, you talk to any extreme athletes who play in a fairly dangerous game. Once fear enters your mind or there's that hesitation, you're not playing as loose or as free as you used to. And when you're coming off two pretty significant injuries, And again, I don't think he'll ever admit this, and maybe it's not even conscious. But I just don't think that you're playing as wild or loose out there as perhaps we've seen him in years past.

And that's smart, by the way. Like, that's what the franchise wants you to do. But I do think it's a combination of the O line, not having the wide receivers there this year, having Ezekiel Elliott, who's been injured. I think all of those things, everyone wants a clear-cut answer. But I think it's a combination of a few of those things. But I do think that this team, if they can just get in a rhythm here again, they are, to your point, I think one of the most talented rosters in the NFL, now can they be coached as well as some of these other teams and put it all together in order to make a run. I have a very quick question for you. You're in Dallas.

You're a Dallasite, if that's the term. She's a Dallas debutante. Dallas debutante. Last time, you can give me a ballpark date on this last time. You were at the grassy knoll, maybe for drinks, a picnic on the. the grassy knoll when's the last time you were there okay so this see this is why i love coming on this show mart because you speak to my soul and conspiracy theories and all sorts of fun fact i live a block and a half away from the grassy knoll from dey plaza sure of god suspicious and exactly

and my sister and i had just been to chicago to visit my brother and she dropped me off from the airport and she was like where was kennedy shot and i'm like you're kidding me right like we've lived in this city our whole life. And so I said, literally go a block and a half over and there's a big X in the middle of street. When I worked local news here, there was a big debate. They removed the X. The X is actually where Kennedy was shot to signify where he actually was harmed.

I don't want to get too graphic, even though I know you're really into that stuff, Mark. Sicker. Where he was shot before they went under the bridge. But people stand in the middle of that street. X marks a spot for a photograph. It's so morbid. A little weird. It's like when Darren Reve.

sent that video of his brains getting blown out and everyone was upset on Twitter. That's how their morning started. But I got to tell you, I was, I was disappointed that Q&N had this whole theory that JFK Jr. was making his triumphant return to help the Republican Party, which was fascinating to me. That seemed totally legitimate to the three of us, to be honest. But JFK Jr. is one of the main reasons I went to journalism school. In fact, I have a bunch of rare George magazine sitting here in my living room. I love him.

And I almost put on my Sunday best and went down there just hoping that he'd come back for me. Well, maybe, you know, it hasn't happened yet, but we don't have proof that it won't happen. Jane, thank you for joining us and men out there, single men out there. Heed, what Jane says, never apologize for anything because it actually makes you more unattractive to the woman you. It's great advice. That's like the only thing I remember. I was just like burned it in my head. Jane, good talking.

All the wives are going to be giving me a call here. All right, there she goes. Jane Slater. And by the way, a blow, blew his brains out. Do you need to be so great? Yeah, great. That was a assassination. You took it to a place that was unnecessary.

Well, I was trying to just put people in the minds of what that horrible morning on Twitter was like. It was, it was something. It was. Is there a Ravel still around? I haven't seen it. It happened recently. People talked about the anniversary of him doing this. And I think it was because I was too impacted and saw this video that he put out there,

which I had never seen before. And it was a lot at 7. There's a pruder film, essentially. You'd never witness that. Well, if you're getting cold called with that on Twitter, that would be up. No, I had seen the, I had seen the Natalie Portman movie, which does quite a graphic recreation of it. Well, it was a terrifying moment in the history of the country. Right.

but it's kind of like these videos of horrible things happening on Twitter. Like, you don't need to see them. You know, you don't need to watch it. All right. Well. You know what happens. Dan, get us out of that.

I will say, if you are ever in Dallas, the book depository where Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone, by the way, Mark. They have turned that upper level into a museum. I went there with Gonzo, actually. It's incredible. Yeah. And it's not, it's not, it's not a morbid thing. It's a piece of American history.

And, you know, it's worth checking out, spending a couple hours of your day. All right. Where are we? Exactly. All right. Let's move on. Let's hit a break and then Thursday night football. Hey, this is Matt Jones.

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

And twice a week, that is exactly what you're going to get. Listen to NFL Cover Zero with Matt Jones and Drew Franklin on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Toyota, the official automotive partner of the NFL. Visit Toyota.com slash NFL now to learn more. What's up, everybody? Daniel Jeremiah here. And I'm Bucky Brooks. On Move the Sticks, we take you inside the game from scouting reports and player development to team building philosophies, coaching trends, and how front offices construct winning rosters. Every week, we study the tape, talk to decision

makers, and share the insights you won't find anywhere else. It's the kind of conversation that connects the 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.

I'm Marcus Grant. 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.

of partner of the NFL. Visit Toyota.com slash NFL now to learn more. All right. Thank you to Jane Slater. Let's now turn our attention to week 14. And to do that, we bring in. Our girl, Mrs. Jonas. Oh, there she is.

Priyanka, Chopra, Jonas. Get that hyphen in there. Ricky, we got hyphen there? Yep, it is a double last name. situation. A little dub last name Sitch in a big spot. And I hope that marriage

stands the test of time. Now, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings. Whoa. It's kind of perfect. Yeah, Mark thought this game wasn't going to mean anything

for one of the teams. And then the Steelers went and revitalized their season with a stunning comeback against the Ravens. So they enter this game six, five, and one. They are in the thick

it in the aFC wild card raise and then you have the vikings uh the vikings who three weeks ago beat the packers and then lost back to back games at san francisco and then almost impossibly but possible at the same time if you knew this team to the lions so now they are in a essentially a must win situation for the vikings and i would say mark that the vikings in a must win situation giving their talent and what they've shown at times of season makes me feel confident that they're going to perform well on Thursday night. But this is also now a different Vikings team than the one, for instance, that I looked at a couple weeks ago and saw a high ceiling.

There's no Dowlin cook. It's very unlikely that you have Adam Thielen who suffered a high ankle sprain. So on a short week, I don't think he's coming back from that. So now you have an offense that's been compromised and a team in general that has to be a little traumatized after what's happened to them in recent weeks. Well, they were, you know, toying with the darkest reality scenarios and the losing to the Lions, which we think our show fairly called that is a realistic scenario, which is just with the way they've been. It happened. It's now you've got to deal with it. I like that they get Patrick Peterson back. I think it's going to be interesting to see what happens to Justin Jefferson in this game with feeling out. I guess if you're Pittsburgh, you're thinking we try to do our best to remove him. Good luck with that. He has nine more 20-yard catches since 2020 than any other human being on the earth. But if you're Pittsburgh, the one thing I kind of want to see, I thought at the end of the Ravens game, they kind of just said this

offense that we've been, let's just kind of give it to Big Ben, open it up a little bit, try to have him make some throws. And it just seemed you got the more comfortable version of Big Ben there. And he looked better than me than he had in other games. Is there any sustainability to that against this Vikings defense? Is there any identity shift that they want to cling to down the stretch? their offense has been mostly unwatchable, but that became the opposite a little bit against the Ravens who were really banged up in the secondary, obviously. But so are the Vikings are not rather. Patrick Peterson is returning.

That's been the strength of their team is past rush, past defense. It sounds like Anthony Barr will be back. Eric Kendricks might be back. Like those three guys being out for Minnesota was huge. And I think the biggest injury for Minnesota in that Detroit game was they didn't have their left tackle, Christian Darisaw. And so they did the thing where they shuffled. three different guys.

And it didn't seem like it worked. And now you've got to go up against T.J. Watt, who is coming off a three and a half sack game where he was so disciplined with those rush lanes where I think he put himself in front for defensive player of the year. I give him a little bit of an edge for career achievement, too. Because the last three years, to me,

he's been the best edge rusher in the NFL. And the Steelers go as he goes. I pointed out two weeks ago he was coming off an injury and he had his worst game of the season. against the Chargers. He was backing in a big way and he's going to get after Kirk Cousins. I think there'll be plenty of points in this game.

I really do. And it's funny because I wrote about it in the power rings yesterday and then Big Ben came out today and said, this guy needs T.J. Watt to be an MVP candidate. We need to start looking at him in that way. And it actually, not to give Ben too much credit, but it makes sense that this would be a year where a defensive player could get in the mix.

It hasn't happened in 35 years since LT and 86. But I think Watt, especially he's 16 sacks. He is, he needs to get to 22 and a half to break that Fugazi Strayhan record. And when you think about the non-quarterbacks in this sport, is there anyone that's as important to their team who's as valuable to their team as T.J. Watt is to Pittsburgh. No, because I would say that if you, a couple weeks ago, the sack leader was Miles Garrett. And I think Miles Garrett is a star player. but T.J. Watt has talked about the way that you talked about J.J. Watt and Lawrence Taylor back in the day because he's that focal central to the right. Greg, I'm with you that where he goes, they go.

Right. And he makes such a difference in every play and that's going to be a big mismatch up front. And yet, I don't know about the whole like Ben throwing the ball deep down the field is the new idea there. He did look better. I thought that was his best game. I agree with you, Mark. And it makes sense because Deonti Johnson and Chase Claypool are the best two players on their offense. So why not just keep throwing up to them when it's one-on-one? But Minnesota's had a way of doing pretty well against the past this year. And the way they've been kind of weak is against the run. I want to see what Justin Jefferson does here in this big spotlight game.

He is about to set the record for the most yards that any receivers had in NFL history through his first two years of the season. To me, he'd be right there behind Cooper Cup right now, as offensive player of the year. I'd still have cup there for sure. And Joe Hayden has been out for Pittsburgh. And to me, that was the most surprising part of that game was like Lamar and the Ravens could not make that count.

They're playing guys that like a kill a weather spoon as a starter and stuff that like the 49ers cut like a couple of weeks ago. And they're just putting them, picking them off the scrap heap. Like you should be able to win some matchups on the outside if you're Minnesota. If Kirk Cousins is really a top 10 quarterback, which I have them this year, like you should be able to make some hay. I think Jefferson is in that very elite club with Devante Adams, maybe Cooper Cup, where it really doesn't matter who's across from them on the field. They're going to get their make impact plays at some point. Or if you're getting doubled or whatever.

It's right. He'll get his. So I think it's all setting up with like, okay, it makes sense for this Pittsburgh team to continue their rise. But at the same time, this also makes sense in a season that hasn't made sense for the Vikings. for them to play really well here. I'm going to pick the Vikings because at 5 and 8 they're cooked and I think they're going to find a way to win. It would make sense to me.

Like you, what was the game you looked at last week? I think it was Chargers, bangles. Yeah. Like, oh, it makes more sense if both these teams are seven and five. It makes sense to me that after this Thursday, and this is real analytical, but it checks out that the Vikings are six and seven and the Steelers are six, six and one. That makes more sense to me. It's what I want.

I think that's what we're going to get. That's what I want. It's what I'm rooting for. The Vikings are favored by three. And yet the vibes, and I know we're like leaning on last week a little much, but the vibes in Minnesota. Like it is on the precipice. The Vikings Twitter, I mean, that losing to the Lions is just like the worst thing

that can happen to you. And it is a home game. I don't know if that makes me feel better. Like if they're losing by eight points here in the third or fourth quarter, like Kirk Cousins getting a little. tight and Mike Zimmer getting a little tight and the crowd being against them and like and they're being like a firing after

this game like feels like it's at least on the table like if you could go like no if you could give me 10 to one odds of that like I would take that like if they lose by like 20 points in this game and Zimmer's not the coach next year it would have been a very rough three weeks for Zimmer I'm just saying that feels like it's possible this is a these are nice

Midwestern fans they're going to cheer the hell out of this Minnesota nice I don't think they're going to start hissing And I think it's going to be a home field advantage. I think that plays is going to be rocking. I think it's one of the best home field advantages in the league. I'm picking the Vikings. And I could just see Ben really struggling on the road in the spot.

I feel pretty good about it. I'll go Vikings. Oh, no. 22, Steelers, 19 and overtime. They're done. Right on the number. And by the way, we are four games away from, and we thought this would be a mythical thing that would take years to happen.

Maybe it will, but an eight, eight, and one team. The Steelers are perfect. to become that. Makes a lot of sense. I would enjoy to see that. All right. Very good. That is Thursday Night Football.

Mark and I will handle that recap together. Two-hander, as they call it, industry talk. They're back together. Industry parlance. You know? You know, we had to, you know, there were some things to negotiate, but we're good. Right. It's like Mike and the Mad Dog when I got to the point where.

Mad Dog wasn't invited to Frances's wedding. And then the wives had to get involved and be like, no. Is it? You're saying it's, it is. at that point that's alarming to me to discover that's how we were able to get the get together for Thursday the wives got involved well it's news to me all right there you go that is Thursday night football um we'll be back on Thursday how about that um with a full preview of week 14 and then we will have the minipod Thursday night if mark and I are able to kind of work through our issues

and then I want everyone to I want everyone to Everyone to have a good time Tonight at the holiday party I think actually you're sensing that something will happen at the holiday party That puts us in this bad sitch You got it

You nailed it There's room for adventure when you presented it And wouldn't that be good Because just to add something exciting to life Yeah Like some type of huge dust up Tonight at the holiday party But Greg secretly somehow lit the match on and then, you know.

Then it's the around the NFL podcast with Greg Rosenthal, his lifelong goal. This is always your take here. It says a lot. It says a lot about what's in your head. Ricky, let's keep this music playing. We'll play it out. It is the holiday season after all. We'll be back.

Until then, this is Dan Hansa, signing off. We're quiet storm, the old boss, Ricky Hollywood. Jane Slater, the whole gang. Until Thursday, he'd the call. 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 sundance don't miss it listen to the move the sticks podcast on the iHeart radio app apple podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts 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. This is an IHeart podcast.