NFL Daily with Gregg Rosenthal - Rams-Falcons Week 17 MNF Stunner, MVP Race Movement and Falcons Future at QB

Episode Date: December 30, 2025

The Los Angeles Rams entered Monday Night Football with optimal playoff seeding scenarios contingent on a win, yet it was the eliminated Atlanta Falcons that left with a convincing victory in Week 17. Matthew Stafford threw three interceptions, Puka Nacua kept quiet and Bijan Robinson went feral in a match that effected teams outside the stripes just as much as inside. Gregg Rosenthal and Nick Shook recap the game, discuss the MVP race and hash out the updated playoff scenarios in the latest episode of NFL Daily!NFL Daily YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nflpodcastsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an I-Heart podcast. Guaranteed Human. 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.

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on the iHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Interception with 97 seconds left, 141 is what they put on the clock, and here goes Bejohn Robinson, 30, 35, 40, midfield, it's a foot race, Robinson 30, 15, 10, Bob Haskell, are you serious? Oh my goodness, he just went 93. Hey, L.A. That's the Matrix for you.

That was Bichaud Robinson. That was West Durham on WZGC, and that was another epic primetime performance on the regular season, Monday night, football finale. And the epic performance, of course, by Bajan Robinson, who shows up every week, but he really shows up in primetime. That put them ahead 21 to nothing. The Rams come all the way back to tie it up at 24, but the Falcons get a late field goal to win 27 to 24.

Nick Shook, joining me live on YouTube. Thank you to everyone watching us live. That second quarter run feels like five hours ago. I'm a little whiplash year that the Balkans even won this game because it looked like they were going to blow their biggest lead since, you know, the one. But for all the Falcons fans watching, we should enjoy a night where Bejohn Robinson goes crazy on the ground once again. And there's someone out there that only watches primetime games, Nick Shook.

and they think that the Atlanta Falcons are the best team in the NFL this year. Yeah, it's like I tweeted. If they only played in prime time, they'd probably win the Super Bowl. Because for some reason, the bright lights of prime time just bring out the best in Rahim Morris's bunch. You know, he said it going into halftime. He said, look, we screwed up this season, but we're playing hard. And I think that's a great indicator of where this team stands with Rahim as head coach. We know that's a tricky spot.

They may or may not make a change and move on after the disappointment that was this season. But, man, in the big games, they have played like a team that should be going to the playoffs. and they went toe to toe. In fact, they dominated a team that many, including myself, think is the favorite to win the Super Bowl for a half tonight

and then held on at the end. I mean, they got the job done. They got the job done because they have one of the best players in football in Bejan Robinson. They have a pass rush that is significantly upgraded from where it was last year

and they have a defense that was really opportunistic tonight. And you got to love a win like this late in the season for the Falcon. You love it and you see the good in Rahim Morris having his players

out there hitting. Certainly, it's an aggressive defensive style. He forces Matthew Stafford into a few big mistakes, three interceptions on the night. Maybe his MVP chances go by the wayside on this night. I think that's a little harsh. We'll talk about that. But I want to get back to the Falcons, but I do want to stop and ask you a question about what you just said. You said the Rams were your Super Bowl pick before this game. And it sounds like after this game, through the last two weeks, choking away that loss against Seattle and then losing this one to the Falcons move you off your position. Or you think that they can go win the Super Bowl from possibly the sixth seed now.

If they had won both those games, they would have had the five seed, which would have been on paper an easier draw. You play the NFC South winner. Maybe you even get a home game in the NFC championship. if it ends up being Rams 49ers or Rams Seahawks, it's not that crazy. Now they're going to need some help from the Seahawks next week. They could be the sixth seed. How are you feeling about Rams as a real deal Super Bowl contender?

Or winner, at least. Not contender, winner. Your pick. Winner, because they're still a contender. Winner. Yes, of course. When I moved into that position a couple of weeks ago, you know, maybe I should have considered opponent,

but they look like the most complete team to be in the NFL. And this is a season in which we have every team that's a contender is flawed in one way or another. Tonight we saw their flaws. Now, you can say the Seattle game exposed some of their flaws, maybe a lack of mental toughness or inability to get back up off the mat. Special teams. Yes, and that's always been a problem for them the entire season.

Go way back to when they lost in Philly on a blocked field goal. Special teams was advantageous for them tonight. Jared versus blocking a field goal and return it for a touchdown. I mean, that's a shockingly positive play from the special teams unit. But my biggest issue, and this is where I always go. And I'm going to go back there again because I think it's the most important part of football, the trenches. They could not protect Matthew Stafford tonight.

For a good portion of this night, they couldn't stop the run. They were losing the trench battle on both sides of the ball. And that always gives me a great concern because I think the best chance to win a Super Bowl starts up front. If you can get after the pass

or if you can stop the run and if you can protect your quarterback, you have a really good shot. Now, the offensive line issues may be temporary. Alarck Jackson didn't play tonight, but there's a potential that he'll be back before long. Because if you're going to the playoffs

with DJ Humphreys the left tackle, I don't believe in you. That lost them in the game. It lost them in the game. You know, DJ Humphreys, who's had a good career, he was with the Cardinals for a long time, has a blown block on a fourth down, which stops their first drive, has an illegal formation, which did that kill a touchdown earlier in the game? No, it was a long pass to poop.

It was a long pass. Brought back, put him out of field goal range. They punted on that drive. So you lose points off that illegal formation. He also gave up a sack at one point. And then he gets a holding call on a long touchdown to. Puka Nakua, I am with you. I was putting you on the hot seat there. Look, I'm taking the field over any two teams you give me maybe in the NFL. The Seahawks and the Rams are still my two

favorites. I think they're the best two teams, but they're in the tougher conference, so it's going to be tougher to get through. But I would take the field over anyone, or any two teams you give me, because it's just a wide open year. Now, that said, I think the Rams are still the most balanced team, offense, defense, special teams. When they flashed up that graphic tonight that said, you know, the Rams can only be the five or six seed. And I'm thinking, oh, they sat Devante Adams, Alarick Jackson and Kevin Dotson, their guard.

Maybe their two best offensive linemen both out for this game. And I'm wondering, like, would they have played them if it was a playoff game? Watching Devante Adams' pregame routine, I think he would have been playing if it was a playoff game. And I do give them just like the smallest little, bit of a pass that, you know, they maybe aren't up for this game in the same way that they would be up for a playoff game. Now, Sean McVeigh talked tough, you know, for a couple week. I mean, I'm just saying they watched that game Sunday night. They find out San Francisco

wins and they have no more chance to win the division. They probably thought they were going to come into this game with a chance to win the division. It's a little bit of a letdown and the Falcons bum rushed them. I've seen teams make it from low seeds. You know what team did it? I know they were a four seed. New York. The New York Giants ran the table one time. How about the Los Angeles Rams like five years ago? Like they were a four seed and they ended up hosting the NFC championship game because the 49ers

made it even as a lower seed. But it happens. You know, when Flacco and that team won the Super Bowl, when the Cardinals made it, you know, a couple plays away when the Packers won the Super Bowl. It used to happen more often where teams gave up some Ls late in the season and

they still won. Lower seeds hasn't happened as much. But I've seen a Patriots team lose a couple times in December. It happens. Let's talk about what went wrong in this game because I think Matthew Stafford, he probably lost the MVP tonight. At least the betting odds, which is ridiculous that it's going through during a live game reflected that. If you're watching on YouTube, you can see the Xavier Watts interception of Stafford. Let's go back to the second quarter and kind of what you saw from Stafford early in this game where he gets picked off two different times. The one we're watching is within under two minutes to go. And Watts makes

a fantastic play on the ball. Deep throw to Xavier Smith. It ends up being one of two Watts interceptions on the day, a really fantastic rookie season for the Falcon safety. What do you think went wrong here with Stafford on this night? Well, what I see here is Stafford's slight hesitation before deciding, yes, I'm going to launch this go ball because that's a mismatch against a linebacker, and I can put it out there, and Xavier Smith can go catch this. Like, that's a simple, that's a simple decision that he made, but he hesitated.

And when he hesitated, he bought Watts, they had extra little split second to commit, because if you, as you see him step back, and he does that little hesitation, he loads to fire, Watts swiveles his hips out and starts spreading in that direction. And because he hesitated, they gave him just enough time to close the gap and get to the ball.

Great play by Watts. Great safety at Notre Dame. I was surprised he lasted as long as he did in the draft. I'm glad that he's playing really well. He's a guy who plays with his hair on fire. He deserves the recognition and the exposure that a prime time stage would give him to make these kinds of plays. But I think it was simply because Stafford hesitated there. Trusted his arm a little bit, which I can't blame him.

He's made incredible throws like that all year, usually to Pooka and Akua or Devante Adams. This time, a lesser receiver, but I can still understand mismatch. I'm going to put it out there. He's going to make the play, but the hesitation burned him on that one. Then he throws a third interception in the second half. Again, it's Watts, jumping a route, kind of looking like, Malcolm Butler. This is a point where it's 24 to 17. It's in the middle of the Rams come back. They just got the blocked kick return from Jared Verse, where the game really changed.

And you think Stafford is going in for another touchdown, and they pick them off again. And that was kind of the moment that I thought, it's not fair. And we'll talk about it with Patrick Claibon on Wednesday's show, the MVP conversation. But one of the things that kind of bothers me about MVP is a lot of times it just comes down to a couple of nominees. And then whoever has a great game on a prime time performance in December, January, or whoever has a bad game, ends up winning the MVP, which is a stupid way to do it. This is not the time to go through the cases for Drake May or Matthew Stafford.

I think they both have strong cases. I wouldn't kill anyone for making either decision. But I've seen MVP's lost this way. We were texting back and forth about it. Mike Vick lost one. I remember you brought up one. It wasn't Brock Purdy a couple years ago. It was Dan Prescott.

It was two years ago. That clunkery laden Buffalo. It completely wiped them out of the MVP conversation. And it's a dumb way to do it because Stafford also made some great throws in this game and did lead them on a long comeback. But, man, he did have chances on the final drive. I know we're jumping all over the place here. But the Falcons, and this is why Rahim Morris's bid to keep his job with three straight wins here and have them playing hard, isn't that simple. He drove me crazy with how conservative he approached the end of the game.

He was absolutely trying to set up like a 50 plus yard field. goal. And that's exactly what happened. And he got it. But it still to me is the wrong approach. And he left the Rams time on the clock. And then he kicks it into the end zone because he's afraid of a return instead of taking time off the clock. And he gives Stafford a chance to do something spectacular. And that's the thing about tonight. Stafford had a chance for a bunch of MVP moments. And he has a wide open receiver. That was Xavier Smith again on what could have been the game winning touchdown. Jesse Bates just getting way too aggressive there and Stafford misses the throw. The very next play after that, I'm curious what your thoughts are. Stafford throws a dime

to Puka Nakua who comes so close. The play happens with 10 seconds left from the Rams 35 yard line and he throws it to the opposite hash other 35 and Puka catches it with one arm. That could have been the catch of the year. But upon review, they do determine. It's not a catch. The ball kind of goes away from his body. And I don't know, man. I know, like, by the letter of the law, they say, like, he didn't control it the entire whole time.

But, like, what do you think about this one? Because, Shook, like, to me, that's a catch. I don't care. I actually kind of think it is a catch. Okay, so there's a lot to cover here. But we'll go with this catch first. We'll kind of work in reverse order. That play right there is a great example of why,

as cornerbacks, you are taught to continue to rake at the guys, the receiver's hands or arms or whatever you have contact with to try to disrupt possession because that is a catch. He's got it in one hand. He's bringing it in. But because A.J. Terrell is making contact with his arm, the ball comes loose for just a second and it makes it an incomplete pass, which is a bummer because, you know, the cool, the cool factor, like the cool factor alone, that's a great play. Let's make that a catch. They're right on the field goal target line right there, right? But then I'm going to go all the way back to kicking it into the end zone because that is why you kicked in the end zone. Earlier in this game, the Rams had a return that got

beyond the 40 yard line. If they had not kicked in the end zone, the Rans would have had 10 more yards and it just makes it more likely that you're going to move into the edge of field goal range in today's era of long kicks, right? And I agree with you because you're like,

why are you giving them the free time? I understand that part, but field position does matter when you don't trust your kick coverage team to keep them from exceeding the 35 yard line. How about competing? How about trying to compete? Troy Aikman was with me on this one.

That's, that's machismo. That's machismo that can burn you in a big spot. That's, that's what. what they call me, Greg Machismo, Rosenthal. Oh, you walk around with your chest out. I know you. Sean McVeigh doesn't care about special teams. He consistently treats his team-building operation like he doesn't care. He just fired his special teams coach.

And it's in part because he doesn't want to compete. And like, the odds are you are going to stop, you know, the average kick return is not to the 40-yard line. Shook, it's to around like between the 30 and 35, it's like 31, 32. and it's going to take six, seven seconds off the clock, which is massive in that situation. And they drove me crazy all last year by kicking into the end zone.

They've been a little better this year, but they fire their special teams coach going into this week, okay, you got to have a finger on the pulse of this team. And you know what happens in this game, shook? They have one of the biggest best special teams moments of the Sean McVeigh era. Let's actually listen to our friend J.B. Long

on that Jared verse field goal block. The right hash for Zane Gonzalez. final minute of the third quarter right foot the boot is rejected picked up scoots going the other way Rams Tavit Jared verse with a caravan

he takes it back Wow V8 strikes in the Rams have life Ooh V8 that's such a good nickname Yes that was so good J.B Long is the best and you know what trench and analysis

by our friend MGD Wow Look, that was going to be a three-score game at the end of the third quarter. The only reason the Rams are really in this game is because Jared Verst turned it around. So, Shook, you've got to have a finger on the pulse of your team. Your special teams unit.

I'm fine with that. I'm totally fine with that. You stepped up tonight. Let's show the guys that we trust them a little and let them play a little football. I'm getting confused because it's the Falcons. Yeah, that justifies my point. I would kick away from them if I'm Rahim too. They had a kick return that got beyond the 40 earlier.

They're having a good special teams night. Kick it out of the end zone. It's fine. It's fine. I also want to go back to the myth throw at Xavier Smith real quick. We're all over the place here. But I just really hate it when a flood concept works perfectly and you miss the throw wide because that would have been a big play for them. You got here. You got a guy going in the flat. He occupies that defender. You got a guy running out beyond the sticks. Then you got Smith running the corner route. It worked perfectly. Jesse Bates bites it. It's right there. And it's one of the few times where it just doesn't work out. And I think Smith doesn't flatten out

his corner route enough. He gets a little too vertical there, which is why that ball ends up closer to the sideline. That's a red line throw right there, by the way. And Stafford knows it. He knows that he didn't flatten out that corner route enough. And he really wishes he had that had that back. This was the entire second half of the Rams, I think, was just about, I wish we had that one back. I wish we had that one back.

Close calls, close calls, ultimately not getting the job done, which I would be worried if they were at full strength in this happened. But if we bring it all the way back to the offensive line and the struggles that they encountered in the first half, I mean, the Falcons did a great job of getting after Matthew Stafford. He was never comfortable until, you know, time got late. when he got really late in the game and he had to make plays. And he made throws throughout this game.

So I guess I feel fine about them if they can get back to full, closer to full strength on the offensive line. But yeah, look. I do. I feel fine about them long term. But I do think when it comes to tonight, like you saw the intensity at 21-0 from McVeigh coming out of half them when they started driving on their first drive

and got that, got that, you know, a couple big plays. And he could not have been more intense. They wanted this game. And I do think they kind of wanted it for Stafford, too. And it's unfair for it to come down to a couple primetime games with Stafford where he had a chance. And he absolutely came through against Seattle with a great overtime drive. But I think for him, because it depends how deep you want to get into the statistical argument. Like, if you just like, if you look at yards and then, you know, touchdown interception ratio,

now that's a little muddy. He had that argument. If you look at advanced stats, EPA per play, success rate, completion percentage, completion percentage over expected, like, Drake Mays blowing him out of the water. Stafford's numbers actually aren't like top five in those sort of stats this year, whereas Drake Mays, you know, at the very, very top. And I do think if I just had to predict what the voters would do, and what I would do, too, I don't want to put it on the voters.

I do think ultimately, like, there's a reason why. why the MVP has almost always come from the one, two, or three seeds in the conference, almost always like the one or two seats. That's who gets rewarded. It's a front-running award. Right. And so, that's what sucks about it. And so we can get into the argument.

Okay, okay. I'm going to push back on this real quick before we move on. Do you care more about, and this talks about the voters and what they spend their NFL season doing? Because you and I, we know what we do. We're watching every game, every play, every game every week. Are you leaning more on the statistical? evidence and comparing numbers versus numbers?

Yes. Or are you leaning on anecdotal evidence, on your own experience, the memory of some of the greatest plays in the biggest situations? Because if we want to do a one-by-one comparison or as close as possible, Drake May is coming off the game in which he just blasted the Jets, one of the worst teams in football. And Matthew Stafford goes to Atlanta where the Falcons are supercharged on primetime and they lose a close one where he nearly throws them back into this game. Let's compare one-to-one.

How did Drake May perform against the Buffalo Bills in the second half? Tell me that. because that's probably the closest I can get in comparison to really put this one side by side. I think it's going to be close. I think it's going to be very fascinating to see how it pans out. But to the voters,

let's not just lean on the numbers. Let's lean on how we felt about these players throughout this season. And maybe I'm coming from a place of luxury and privilege because that's what I do. But let's all just lean on the rise and fall on the journey, not just what happened in December. I thought you were going to mention the Falcons game

that May played, which I think the Falcons gave him some trouble between him, Josh Allen and Stafford, who are the three MVP leaders, essentially, they gave trouble to all three of them. Now, May played the best against him. May is the one that got the win against him and avoided the big-time mistake. And I think it's a really interesting argument in general.

We have a comment here that saying, you know, Drake May is doing it with worse receivers, worse offensive line. That's true. And I think that is sort of a point in May's favor. The system is great for him, but ultimately he's been under a ton of pressure without a ton of talent around him all year.

Stafford, on the other hand, has played an absolute gauntlet of a schedule, while May, according to DVOA, has played the easiest schedule for opposing offenses. Stafford and the Rams have maybe played the hardest schedule in the NFL. Like, that's a point for Stafford. I watch each and every snap, like both guys have taken each year, and they've both been really special. It's kind of silly to me. Like, the only people that annoy me in this argument are the Patriots fans or the Rams fans that I follow on Twitter. And because of my rooting interests, I follow a lot of both of them that are so strident and it's so clearly one or the other. Just shut up. It's a beauty. It's a beauty contest and you're

basically choosing which guy looks better in a bikini. And you're picking the guy that you like because he plays for your team. And the neutral voter is just kind of just picking on vibes or whatever they want. Because it's all about what you like. A lot of the really smart people out there like me. And I think a lot of the smart people like Stafford. And he to me has more of the narrative that would normally win the award. But it's all, it's all kind of silly. They're both great options. And it's, it's not really a big difference. So shut up to everyone who says that it's a huge difference. It's vibes. It's personal preference. And it's, I would say, bias. And it's voter fatigue. All three of those come into play. Well, I don't think either one of them have any voter

fatigue. No, but I'm saying that that's always an element. That's a always an element. A lot of times it is, and it would have hurt Josh Allen or Lamar this year. I think Josh Allen played him his way out of it. They've both just done some exceptional things. And I think the degree of difficulty for both of them on so many throws each and every week. And that's why Drake names numbers on the plus 20 throws are just outrageous, are so high. And anyway, they both would be really worthy. Hey, what's up everybody? Daniel Jeremiah here.

And I'm Bucky Brooks. If you love breaking down football from every angle, you're in the right place. Every week on Move the 6th, Bucke Brooks and I dive deep into the game from the X's and O's to the front office moves shaping the league. We kick things off with Brian Baudinger, breaking out what really went down on Sunday. It is as good at timing rhythm offense as there is in the league right now. Ben Rett Lewis joins us for our rookie draft and coordinator of the week, where we're we highlight the rising stars and the masterminds calling the shots. DJ talked me into a Ronde Gadsden Jr.

He had a monster game. A monster game. And you hear from the voices who actually build the game. GMs, coaches, and players who give you insight you won't get anywhere else. High standards and high care. That's the right combination. So whether you're studying tape or just love great football talk, subscribe to Move the Sticks on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

Hey, y'all, it's me, your man, M.G. Marcus Grant. And I'm Michael F. L'Orio. And I'm Laquan Jones. If you're looking to win your fantasy football league, you need to tune in to the NFL fantasy football podcast. It's right there in the name. Every week, Florio, LQ, and I bring you the latest news from around the league. We break down every matchup, give you our analysis and advice so you know who to start, sit, drop, and trade to bring that championship trophy home. I just want to remind everyone how good Rishi Rice was last. season and these three healthy games.

He was the wide receiver two in fantasy. I think Rishi Rice just goes off this week. The Chiefs come on a flip pass to Rice. Near side, touchdown! Remandre Stevens is my sleeper this week. This is a match-out where I think I can slide in Stevenson to my flex position and he could deliver double-digit points this week. Drake takes the snap, hands it off, Ramonari, running it right, and running into the end zone.

Touchdown! It's never too late to turn your fantasy season around. Subscribe to the NFL Fantasy Football Podcast on the iHeart Radio. app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. What's up? It's Cam Jordan. I'm back with season three of your favorite podcast, The Off the Edge with Cam Jordan podcast. It's happening every

Wednesday to hear conversations with my friends and stars from the NFL, the sports world in general, and entertainment. About anything from teams and players making waves to pop culture, and I'll take you inside my journey through my 15th season in the NFL. Looking forward to you joining me this season, the season of more, on

the Off the Edge with Cam Joom podcast. Catch new episodes every Wednesday on iHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage. Store more and do more with your data. Try them for free at wasabi.com. You know who we haven't talked about enough tonight? It's time for Who Delivered, presented by Uber Eats. Let's talk about Bejan Robinson because he had some runs in this game.

And again, we really appreciate it. If you're watching on YouTube, us a like. Give us a subscribe. We love it. You can watch one of the best like five yard runs. We could have picked out a two yard run in this game. We could have picked out a five yard run. Here is a run in the third quarter where he makes two jump cuts. And when you're watching the original TV copy, you don't even think it's anything special. And then you realize Puna Ford beats his block. He's in the hole. Who's 90s? That Kobe Turner? Beats his block. He's in the hole. Robinson makes them both miss. And then he drags another defender.

for another four yards. And he was absolutely outrageous in this game. Goes over 200 yards from scrimmage. It's so ridiculous. Shook, he averaged over 200 yards from scrimmage in these four prime time games. I looked it up because I was like, man, he has been outstanding in these games.

And he went for 229 yards from scrimmage tonight. In the other four primetime time games, 177, 238, 175. I mean, we just haven't seen another guy like him. As good as McCaffrey's been, I think he might be my, you know, either offensive player of the year or first team all pro at running back. We'll talk about that a little later this week. Are we missing one more too because that average might actually be below because we've got to think about the Falcons Buccaneers game, right?

But regardless, he's had a fantastic run this season. Look, Rahim Morris has talked about this since the start of the season, essentially, that he believes he's the best player in football. and he's not wrong. He's one of the best players in football. I don't know if I'm going to call him the best player in football. I mean, there's a lot of frustration that is associated with the Falcons coaching staff and specifically Zach Robinson and the fact that they just go away from him

for entire stretches of games. And maybe that explains why they are where they are record-wise. But a weapon like that is always primed to breakout, no matter the stage, whether it's prime time, whether it's a one o'clock window on a Sunday. Because he is just different. You know, that highlight that we just played reminded me of sitting in the suite at Lucasoil Stadium, at the combine and watching him do the bag drill and watching him do the do staley drill and watching how he just visually when you're sitting there you can see the difference between the guys who

are going to be elite and guys who could be all right or maybe won't last very long very visible from that moment clearly the best running back in this class by a mile because of the way he moved he's big he glides he's explosive he's light on his feet he does everything well he makes men miss and when he made those two guys miss i just thought about him cutting around the bags in Indianapolis. It's just carried over transition to he only continues to get better and better. And they would be so wise to build their offense around him more frequently than

they did. There were times this year. And I don't know if it's just because they want Tyler Algear involved, which is fine. He's a good power back. But like this is a player that can carry your team even in today's modern NFL because you can also catch the ball out of the backfield. Excellent night for him.

27 touches total. He got five catches for 34 yards. And you were talking about that. that Bucks game, how dare you question next Greg's stats, which was scratched out right before wasn't that a prime time game against the Bucks? Yes, 93 yards rushing. Eight catches, 82 yards. Oh, yeah, you're right. Yeah. He, if, if he's not getting it done as the running back, he's their number two receiver, at least when, you know, Drake London was hurt for a while. And Troy Aikman, when you hear Troy Aikman, who I love for a lot of reasons, but one is that unlike myself, he's not

prone to hyperbole he is very cautious to say player you know put players in historical context and when he starts comparing him to barry sanders and is just saying like there aren't many runners that have come around since barry sanders that could be at that level i get it because for me personally i i've covered the league since 2003 and i think just in terms of total package as good his McCaffrey is, and there's been some great, great backs in terms of just pure total package talent, like the guys that he reminds me of is Lidane and Tomlinson and Marshall Park. Like, in terms of just being literally that good. Like, that's how far back I have to go to find a guy.

And we're splitting Harris because Demir Gibbs is crazy and McCaffrey's crazy. But with Bejohn, he is just, he's just something special. And it's really cool that he did it in four prime time wins this season. man, that was Who Delivered, presented by Uber Eats when football makes you hungry. Get game day deals on Uber Eats, the official on-demand delivery partner of the NFL order now. Do you have one last Bejan point you want to make, or should I tell you what the Falcons did in primetime this year? No, it is outrageous. I figured out the other primetime game we were missing.

It was the Niners game in which Bijan went 14 for 40 and had six catches for 52. Okay. You can absolutely question. Those numbers might come down. but it's still impressive nonetheless. I just had to figure out which game was I missing. Yeah, I forgot about that one, though, 20 to 10 loss. Man, the schedule makers were so high on the Falcons this season

who get a double victory, by the way, in this game, because not only do they win, but they make the Rams draft pick that they traded for Atlanta, a little worse, just a little revenge game for the Falcons, because all these Rams fans have been enjoying owning this Falcons pick, which looked incredible three weeks ago, but with three straight wins, it's closer to the middle of the first round

instead of the top eight or nine picks. That 49ers loss, good note. The only blemish on the primetime schedule, they beat J.J. McCarthy and the Vikings, 22 to 6. They beat Josh Allen and the Bills, 24 to 14. They won that Bucks game by a point a couple weeks back, and now they beat the Rams here. So four and one in prime time,

do you think it's enough to save Rahim Morris's job? Well, I always like to reference the one year in which Eric Mangini won his final four games of the Browns and got another year with them and then was a dumpster fire the next year. And while the Falcons are not the Browns, they do own some similarities and that they listen to what the outside people say in motivating how they proceed with their team. I think that it's, I could see, and this is going to be crazy because usually this does not work out, but I could see a scenario in which they make front office changes and they keep Rahim and they make an offensive coordinator change. So like there's changes somewhere, but they keep the head coach because clearly what is the most important thing that everybody likes to point to late in the season for a team that's not making the playoffs and the head coach is on the hot seat is the team still playing for him. And clearly this team is still playing for him. Defensive-minded head coach, he got investment in his defense in the offseason. We've seen how they've been better in the past rush this year.

We saw guys like Xavier Watts making plays, Jesse Bates making plays in the secondary. These are all encouraging pieces of evidence that he should stay, that they are playing for him, that they are figuring it out. But ultimately, it comes down to this. What is their future with Michael Pennix? Because this whole stretch has been with Kirk Cousins. A guy that I told you was playing good quarterback, and he is playing good quarterback, even though he wasn't a huge part of tonight. He wasn't great tonight.

He was solid in the first half. He was solid in the first half. And I'm glad he brought up Kirk Cousins because it's actually time for quarterback keeper presented by a snap dragon. And yeah, the quarterback decision is going to be massive. What do you think? Because Pennix got hurt in terms of his ACL so late. in this season. It's an injury he's had before. And I did think it was interesting that

Troy Aikman cited some coaches on the field that he talked to who apparently posited, hey, don't be surprised if Kirk Cousins is still on this team in 2026. I have a few things to say about that. I'm curious what you think. Well, so he's one of the top guys that I look at in the offseason as a potential trade candidate for teams that need a bridge that need somebody to stabilize a position. In fact, I wrote a piece about this in place of QV Index last. week, three quarterback trades I like to see this off season. One of them was Kirk Cousins to Cleveland because of his history with Kevin's DeFanski and how he could be a bridge for whoever they go with long term.

Financially, it's a little bit of a hurdle, but he is still an expensive backup. That becomes more valuable if you don't believe that Michael Pennix is going to be 100% ready, or maybe you don't believe that he can carry you through an entire season next year because of the injury and because of whatever else. Do you still have the same confidence and optimism in him that you did the year before? Those two are tied. These decisions are tied together. Neither can be independent, neither can be made in a vacuum.

And I think it also comes down to, are you keeping Rahim? Because if you're keeping Rahim, you need to win. And if you need to win, you need to have more than one option at quarterback. And at that point, you keep Kirk Cousins because of what he's done this season coming in as a backup. He stabilizes it much like he would for other options. So it's an interesting decision that they'll have to make. I would side more toward them keeping him and just fighting the cost that it's going to be in their salary cap. and that's fine because they've realized

the value of having an experience backup, which a lot of other teams don't have, but it's still far from certain right now. Yeah, it's so complex. And this is a good time to talk about it because Cousins Tonight showed, like he's not the solution to everything. I think he's been playing good football.

I think they've been a better offense with Kirk Cousins. Michael Pennix was setting a pretty low floor this year. It was a disappointing. season. He did not fit in this often. They're clearly going to change offensive coordinators, even if they don't change Rahim Morris. It gets complicated for a few reasons. When Troy Aikman said that, I was thinking, yeah, but those coaches aren't going to be there next year. So, like, who cares what they think? And three straight wins, maybe if you finish off next week in New Orleans, that has an emotional, you know, resonance with Arthur Blanket. It shouldn't. But maybe

that game ends up mattering for the Falcons, whether they win or lose. You know, winnings four straight. Maybe he'll think, okay, let's stay the course. The buzz that you kind of heard around the league was, they were going to make a change. That, you know, Fontenau has been there for, their GM has been there for four years. He's got two different coaches. So I think in the ownership's mind, they've had this regime now for a while. It's not just Rahim Morris.

We saw the report from Jay Glazer that they might be bringing to Matthew, Matt Ryan, as a front office. Which would be hilarious, by the way, given how Fontaineau got rid of Matt Ryan. Right. So if Matt Ryan's coming in, I would assume he's not going to be the GM, but maybe it's in a sort of president, you know, figure or that he's helping to. Advisory role. Yeah, he's helping to hire the next GM and coach. And then you would have to think everyone's gone, Rahim Morris, these coaches,

and that next, you know, administration is going to make a decision on Kirk Cod. Now, either way, you think about it, you look at his contract, it's not quite as bad as you remember now, because there's $10 million left of guaranteed money. You've got to pay him that regardless, okay? There's also a bonus five days into the year, which is, I think, another $10 million. So you've got to make the decision quick. You've got to either cut him or try to trade him before that. He's due $35 million, which sounds like a lot for Kirk Cousins in 2026.

It is. It's too much. but it's not that, that crazy for a bridge quarterback. Not when you have a rookie on a rookie contract. Right. My guess is they will try to see if they can get anything in a trade for them. And the crazy part is they might just get something. Not much.

Right? You know, so they'll pretend that they're going to keep them. And then we're at the combine and there's a trade. And it's like you got like a fourth round pick or a fourth to fifth swap. and we spend way too many NFL daily episodes in the meantime talking about it. I'm not looking forward to that, but that could be an outcome no matter who is running this team. I was just envisioning as you were getting to that point there of being in Indianapolis

and being at like a hotel somewhere or some restaurant and being like, so what's the latest on Kirk Cousins? Because that's going to be one of the things that's got to happen then because we're going to be right on the precipice of the newly year and when that bonus is going to come in. So yeah, I think you're absolutely right. But they'll get something, but they won't get that much because of the money that's attached to it. And they might not get anything.

I'm just thinking out loud, but I think it's possible. Something could be a day three pick, an early day three pick, but the money attached to it is going to lower the return on him. And is it worth it at that point? It only happens then, like you said, if there's a full regime change, which I'm not 100% certain is coming. Right. PennX not playing well, really complicated.

So do you want to start over? Do you want to start from scratch? These are all questions for the offseason. For now, the Rams will keep playing. The Falcons have one more game against the Saints. That was quarterback keeper presented by Snapdragon. Learn more at snapdragon.com slash laptops. The other big item from this game is the impact on the NFC South Race.

It started filtering out Sunday afternoon, this little nugget that I frankly didn't put much stock into. I was like, oh, those are one of those cool little playoff scenario nuggets I love, that actually the Panthers could lose in week 18 to the Buccaneers fall to eight and nine, but still win the division if the Falcons won out and there was a three-way tie at eight and nine. And I kind of dismissed it, you know? It's like, well, what are the odds of that all happening? Well, the Bucks did lose to the Dolphins.

I wasn't shocked by that. In fact, I picked it. That was a good pick. Panthers lose. But the one I didn't expect to happen is the Falcons actually did beat the Rams. So now the Falcons Saints game next week takes on bigger meaning. The Saints have won, what, four straight now? And the Falcons have won three straight.

And the crazy part is, if the Bucks win that game next week, it will be a three-way tie at eight and nine. Like the Saints, you know, the Saints will have gotten to seven wins. The Falcons will have gotten to eight wins. It is crazy that this team that's been out of the playoffs for like a month, the Falcons could end up in a first place tie, it's just all the tiebreakers that will cancel them out. So the Panthers were watching this game, and I'm sure they don't want to go into the playoffs losing,

but they're probably pumping their fist there when that final Pukunukuoka catch was ruled out of balance. Yeah, but can you imagine a scenario? This is all in the same window. No, wait, we have the Saturday game between the Bucks and Pants. Yes, the interesting thing here is, if the Bucks win that game now, thinking about Saturday, we actually won't know who won the division until Sunday.

The bucks will celebrate, but it's going to be very strange and awkward. They're at home. Like, do you fire the cannons? If you don't win the division, I don't think that you do. You certainly aren't doing any T-shirts and hats. It's going to be a very strange situation that I wonder if, you know, the ABC executives and everyone were even thinking about when they put in that Saturday afternoon. There's so much intrigue now, though, because if you've watched the Saints over the last month,

Yes, they played a soft schedule, but they did beat the Panthers during that stretch. They're also one of the most electric fourth quarter teams that you'll find over the last month. And it's the best rivalry in football. Week 18 is saved. I mean, I've never been more excited about a Falcon Saints game in week 18 because I love the idea of a team that's basically eliminated playing spoiler just for the fun of it. I love chaos. I don't know if it was week 18, but when Jamal Williams and James Winston decided to, you know, run that extra play

that Dennis Allen didn't want to rub it in on the Falcons. That was a truly electric moment. That was almost a midfield fight between Dennis Allen and Arthur Smith. And anyone who's in the comments questioning whether the Falcons and Saints are the best rivalry in the league. I mean, Raven Steelers are

up there, but in terms of pure fan hatred, they are right there. So congratulations to the Falcons. There is almost no better team in the NFL than the Falcons after they've been eliminated. Love this stat. I saw on Blue Sky tonight since 2018 they are 53 and 78 in games before they're eliminated from playoff contention 25 games under 500 after being eliminated from playoff contention they're 12 and 4 like they're

getting a playoff by you know they are 12 and 4 in their games the falcons since 2018 so not a ton of games since they've been you know end of season games that don't matter they are 12 and 4 in those games they did it again so let's just start the season just tell them hey you're eliminated go play ball what a night we might have seen the MVP decided and indirectly we might end up seeing the NFC South decided we will be back on Tuesday can't wait NFL daily every day this week back to full schedule it's time for the final QB island of the season this was our last regular season recap of the season it has been a pleasure shook But we will be back for the playoffs. They have a Monday night game in the wild card round. So we'll be going live then. We're going live on Sunday night.

We will see you then. 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,

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