NFL Daily with Gregg Rosenthal - Vibe Check for 7 NFL Teams, Chargers-Vikings Preview and Russell Wilson goes Rogue with Colleen Wolfe

Episode Date: October 21, 2025

Gregg Rosenthal and Colleen Wolfe preview the Thursday Night Football game between the Vikings and the Chargers. First, Gregg and Colleen get you caught up on the news from around the NFL including Wo...ody Johnson talking about the Jets quarterback play (02:00), Brandon Graham coming out of retirement (05:00), an update on Bryce Young's injury (08:15) and more. Gregg and Colleen then check on team vibes around the NFL including the Bengals (13:53), 49ers (19:25), Patriots (25:40), Commanders (31:54), and Colts (42:20). The show is wrapped up with a preview of the Week 8 TNF matchup between the Vikings and Chargers (50:15) and a discussion about a spicy Russell Wilson tweet (57:30). Note: time codes approximate. NFL Daily YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nflpodcastsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcript
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Starting point is 00:00:00 This is an I-Heart podcast. Welcome to NFL Daily, where we're excited about the return of roundball rock tonight. I'm Greg Rosenthal in the Chris Wesleyan podcast studio. And perhaps Colleen Wolfe doesn't even get that reference. A lot of our listeners won't. I don't. It's the John Tesh theme song to the NBA on NBC, which I guess is to. Oh, duh.
Starting point is 00:00:29 is technically a competitor, but I feel like if you love sports, you are allowed to love other sports. You are, you are. But you always have a first love. So first love is here. Obviously, football. It's talking with you.
Starting point is 00:00:43 Ah, you. What time do we start getting into our existential crises? That is part of the vibe check later in the show. Okay, cool. We're doing a vibe check. We just thought it would be good to look at some of the teams around the NFL and wonder, you know, just where they are. Look big picture what the vibes are right now.
Starting point is 00:01:04 Our great producer, Eric, suggested this segment, but it does go along with something I've been noticing and I sent out, you know, as a tweet, just that. I listen to a lot of team-centered podcasts and no one's happy. Really? Everyone's complaining. And then, of course, I get the responses like, hey, you haven't listened to many chiefs or Patriot.
Starting point is 00:01:22 There are like a couple exceptions. And we might talk about some of those today. But in general, I would say like 27 of the fan bases out there are just unhappy at all times. Well, because like every single team has flaws. There's not just like, there's no team right now that's just like, oh, cool, everything's all good. Let's on to the next week. Of course you're going to be angry and annoyed and have complaints. I mean, not the New York Jets.
Starting point is 00:01:46 They're absolutely perfect. Wow. We will start with the news. So we'll zoom through this quickly. We'll do the vibe check and then we'll talk a little TNF Vikings. and chargers across the street at SoFi, an interesting one. Those are two fan bases I'm kind of thinking of.
Starting point is 00:02:02 Yeah. They're in the middle, but they're not happy. But Jets fans are next level. And it sounds like their owner is just as unhappy with their quarterback play as some of the fans. Let's listen to Woody Johnson speaking about Justin Fields on Tuesday.
Starting point is 00:02:20 You know, it's hard when you have a quarterback with, you know, with a rating that we've got he has the ability but something just is not jiving but if you look at any head coach of the quarterback like that
Starting point is 00:02:35 you're going to see similar results if you go across the league you have to play consistently at that position and that's what we're going to try to do for the remainder of the season so what gives you hope then I just think defense special teams
Starting point is 00:02:53 are doing better The defense is pretty good. If we can just complete a pass, it would look good. Oh, no. Oh, no. That's courtesy of Tom Rock from Newsday. Okay. Great reporter.
Starting point is 00:03:08 Yeah. I once went to New York games with back in the day. Wow. I know you're a longtime supporter of the Jets and how everything is run there. You know it. You betcha. That ownership.
Starting point is 00:03:23 and leadership is not happy with the current situation. Obviously, they have not won a game yet. And sounds like Tyrod Taylor is going to start next week. Yes. Woody Johnson, that was at a league meeting, by the way, in New York. He said he has no influence on the quarterback decision. But I have a feeling by the time people listen to this, certainly if they wait until Wednesday to listen, that, yeah, Tyrod is going to be named the starter. It's not like that's a long-term. solution here either or it might not even be a long-term thing. It could just be maybe this is what gives them a little bit of a spark. Maybe this will help them just win a game because Tyra Taylor
Starting point is 00:04:05 he's usually a pretty conservative safe option, but then he did have the turnovers last week. It's just brutal because Justin Fields is going to see all these headlines. It's the number two headline on the ESPN. Jets owner rips, you know, quarterback. I mean, if we could have complete a pass, it would look good is a rough thing to hear. And the other person I thought affected by this, because I think it's safe to say it'd be a surprise at this point if Justin Fields is back with this team next year. I thought about GM Darren Mojee, who gave Justin Fields 30 million dollars guaranteed on a two-year, $40 million contract. This was their first big decision. Obviously, it's not working out. Maybe Justin Fields gets back in the mix at some point. Tyrod hasn't been able
Starting point is 00:04:53 to stay healthy. Let's let's talk more fun news. Okay. I like fun. The vibes are better in Philadelphia because Brandon Graham has unretired. I'm glad we haven't really hit this on the show yet because we've got you to just celebrate. Okay. So the win for the Eagles over the Carson Wentz led Vikings. Ah, chef's kiss. That was great. And now you have Brandon Graham returning. to his rightful spot. I know that he's an older guy now, what, he's 37,
Starting point is 00:05:28 and he did have pretty much a perfect storybook ending to his career aside from the injury. You win a Super Bowl, you get a Super Bowl ring, and then you retire. And you go on NFL daily,
Starting point is 00:05:41 actually, with Jordan and I right after the Super Bowl. That's the storybook ending part. Yeah. So I think that he never really wanted to fully retire. And I know, after they made the move for Zadarius Smith,
Starting point is 00:05:56 then things kind of changed for both the Eagles and him. So when Zadarius Smith ended up surprisingly retiring out of nowhere, it also opened the door then for Brandon Graham to come back. And now he breaks his own record as the longest tenured eagle. Wow. Yeah. So 16 seasons. And like he's such a, talk about vibes.
Starting point is 00:06:21 he's such a great vibes guy. He's perfect for that locker room, especially if there's any type of friction and maybe that's done now. Maybe everyone has turned a page and everything is absolutely fine. But if not, he's a wonderful presence to have in there
Starting point is 00:06:38 just as someone who's been around the organization for so long and seen all of the twist and turns. I mean, he was the man who knocked the ball out of Tom Brady's hand. Sure was. To cause Colleen Wolf to start crying on the field at the Super Bowl. I did.
Starting point is 00:06:51 That was an amazing. Tears of joy. Moment in around the NFL. I consider it our history, even though, you know, it's more just we stuck a microphone in your face while you were crying on that. That's what you do with family.
Starting point is 00:07:03 Brandon Graham has a podcast. I was wondering, is that podcast going to continue? It's on all P.H.O. It's called the Unblocked podcast. If I had done better prep, I would have texted its host, our friend Bo Wolf before one minute ago
Starting point is 00:07:16 while you were speaking, but we'll see if he returns. Okay. Whether the podcast. Why don't we give him a call live on the, It continues. I think his show is on literally live right now. So we'll see. It just shows, though, how thin they are. And he spoke about the decision, and you mentioned it, was the Darius Smith. I think they wanted Brandon Graham to retire, unretire back then. But just he felt like that the timing
Starting point is 00:07:38 wasn't right. Like something was going on it. Maybe it was because he was launched in the podcast. And he didn't really return this year because, frankly, they just weren't willing to pay him. Like, he was at a point in his life where it's like, yeah, I'll keep paying for like, I've made a lot of money in my career a certain level, but I'm not going to come back for like $3 or $4 million, whatever it was. So I wonder if the money got better now. They only have to pay half the season and the
Starting point is 00:08:01 desperation. The injuries, yeah. Right, because they lost Azizzo Zolari to an injury during that game. Josh Uche is out there. Eventually, they get Nolan Smith back. Jailix Hunt has been a little bit of a disappointment, but the ultimate Eagle is back with the team. I like that. Some quick
Starting point is 00:08:17 injury news before we get to our segment. Okay. Bryce Young has a high ankle sprain which means we have the return of the red rifle Andy Dalton for the four and three Panthers rivalry game
Starting point is 00:08:33 with the Bills and you ask why is it a rivalry because Sean McDermott and Brandon Bean the Bill's big brain trust they came from Carolina so it's a lot of familiarity
Starting point is 00:08:44 there and who knows maybe Andy Dalton could pull off an upset yeah that would be great I would assume that they would lean heavily on their running backs in this game so it could be a big Chuba
Starting point is 00:08:56 Hubbard Rico Dowdell situation but this bill's defense they've shown some vulnerability against the past this season and they're coming off a buy as well so they'll be extra rested prepared and ready for Andy Dalton
Starting point is 00:09:12 motivated I do really believe good coaches show their work and show their worth too coming out of a bye week like they fix things and Sean McDermott is a good coach. So I think a lot of their problems, maybe we saw before the buy, you know, maybe he's got some solutions. So I'll be curious. I wonder what adjustments they would make. It could be personnel, like the way they're deploying some of the people in the secondary. I don't really know, but this is a tough running game to stop. Chuba Hubbard is kind of the backup now to
Starting point is 00:09:40 Rico Dowto, but they're both really good and they're a tough running team to stop. It's a good offensive line. Like they're a big tough team and kind of the bills really aren't right now. How are you feeling by the way you're you know i feel good just in general you're usually in the host chair you know you did the coverage from four in the morning doing the london game on sunday and then you were hosting the rich eisen show which you had me on playing the the role of rich isison that's what you were doing and now like you just just get to come in and just answer questions isn't that easier this i listen wherever i need to go i'm a good utility player you need me to host no problem you want me to be an analyst I'll try to put on that hat.
Starting point is 00:10:20 You want me to just be the vibes queen? You are... That's the natural spot. You are the vibes queen and I think you're doing a great job. Thank you. Thanks for coming on too, by the way. It was a lot of fun.
Starting point is 00:10:30 Jordan Rodriguez, for everyone that is concerned. Little under the weather. So we hope to have her back. Yes, feel good, Jordan. For Wednesday's show. Another couple items in news. Dre Greenlaw played one game for the Broncos and he's already been suspended.
Starting point is 00:10:44 There's always a lot of extra with Drey Greenlaw. Yeah. for threatening, according to the NFL, an official after the game, both him and... Yeah, you can't do that. Yeah, Justin Strunard were angry with the official after the game, but Strannard didn't get a suspension.
Starting point is 00:11:01 I don't know if it was previous or it was something, you know, particular that Drake Greenlaw said. They were still mad, I think, about the calls that went against the Broncos on that go-ahead drive by the Giants. So he's out. He was back in for one game. And that reminded me, I didn't mention on the Monday Night Recap. spent 45 minutes on those two games late into the night.
Starting point is 00:11:21 And yet I still didn't mention there was a moment in that game where Aziz al-Shayr, the Texans, basically just like through your boy, Sam Darnold. Yes. Not Bradford to the ground. I wonder if he'll get suspended for that. Greg continues, now he's planted this awful seed in my brain by saying, by calling Sam Darnold, Sam Bradford. And then I did it yesterday right after he did it on the Ridge Eisen show. And I was even thinking about it last night and almost texted you while I was watching everything.
Starting point is 00:11:56 So Sam Bradford, hope he's doing well. It keeps happening. And part of it might be some early onset dementia for me. Okay. If we want to get, you know, into the. I think everyone that at all, you know, discussion. I've talked to many people here that are in that same boat. I am also. in that boat. But we're awfully young for it, but that could be part of it. The other part is, though, they kind of fit a similar type of man and quarterback.
Starting point is 00:12:27 Can't you just like imagine Sam Bradford or Darnold just like mowing their lawn on a Sunday? Like working at a hardware store? Like a button down shirt. And they just sort of like look the same. You could really count on their haircuts. Like they're just those guys. They could be a geometry teacher maybe.
Starting point is 00:12:45 Or a number one. overall traffic. The Saints have lost a couple players. Eric McCoy, their center, who's their captain, one of their best offensive linemen, if not their best for the season. Tough news there. And Kendra Miller, who is giving them a nice little explosive backup to Alvin Camara. And then Titans have released Tyler Lockett. He had such a great career with Seattle, but it just was not working out. He was not effective for the Titans. He asked to be released. He would be free to sign with other teams. We'll see if anyone picks him up. he did not look great on the field.
Starting point is 00:13:18 If not, happy trails to Tyler Lockett, who had a very underrated career. For like a solid five straight years, everyone all called him the most underrated wide receiver in the league. When I think of Tyler Lockett, I just think of him in the corner of an end zone catching a ridiculous pass from Russell Wilson
Starting point is 00:13:35 and staying in bounce out. Like he would, I felt like he was the original ballerina. I think of him, Russell Wilson, and D.K. Metcalfe in a picture, I think at D.K. Metcalf's wedding, where D.K. Metcalf is wearing the most insane tuxedo with shorts on that I believe he got married in and just three of them looked very happy. So I always loved me some Tyler Lockett. Let's talk vibes.
Starting point is 00:13:58 Okay. The vibes are always good with Colleen. Ah, thank you. Except for the very occasional time where they're not. But they're almost, no, they're almost always always. When is that, Greg? Actually, that's not true at all. I'm not around for that. I don't see that, Colleen. No one sees it. I see like a chill Colleen, a fun calling, a funny calling, or every once in a while, maybe like on a New Year's Eve, like a wild Colleen. Oh. That Colleen doesn't come out.
Starting point is 00:14:25 Yeah, no, uh-uh. She's like, I have to like keep her locked away for a little bit. There's also the occasional anxious Colleen, but we don't love her. It's more than occasional. Let's talk vibe check. We're going to go around the NFL. We're going to choose whoever we want. And the only thing I told you is like, we shouldn't do all bad vibes.
Starting point is 00:14:44 That was the note when... Well, because that's what I thought about at first because I was thinking like, oh, man, the Giants vibes are so bad. I figured you were going to hit that. Like, oh, man, I listened to some dolphins like me. Man, it's so bad there. It's like, I don't want it to be all bad.
Starting point is 00:14:58 So we'll do a mix. Right. And I'll have you start. Okay. I'm starting with the Bengals. And the vibes with the Bengals, it's like a temporary pain relief. So Joe Flacco is essentially a bottle of Advil.
Starting point is 00:15:14 for the fans it went from the vibes went from like spiraling into a sea of nothingness darkness desperation apathy almost uh and then now ah here's a little bit of a spark maybe there is what is that is that do i see a little light at the end of the tunnel here could there be the possibility of hope for Cincinnati. It was a great game against the Steelers for Joe Flacco. That's against a division rival in a division that is
Starting point is 00:15:50 a mess right now. And yeah, they have a record that, you know, is not great, but they're only a game behind the leader in the division. And I just think that after everything that's happened, you wonder
Starting point is 00:16:05 if Joe Flacco could keep them just decently afloat enough to where maybe we do see Joe Burrow again this year? They have a chance. Right? Like that's all you want. Just hope.
Starting point is 00:16:21 And it does feel different when you get that hope after the point where you might have already lost it. And I think some Beggles fans, I personally had lost it. I'm not a Bengals fan, but I thought they were the worst team in the NFL for four months.
Starting point is 00:16:35 I'm like, Joe Flacco cannot solve this. And yet, even if they don't beat the Jets this week and they're playing the Jets and if they beat the Jets they're four and four but even if for some reason it did go sour from here they did have a moment
Starting point is 00:16:49 like we're here in the Chris Wessling podcast studio Phil Wesseling Chris's brother was at that game Steph Wesseling Nick's wife was at that game Nick was at home what was he doing I don't know and they're in the white unies
Starting point is 00:17:01 and like that was kind of a magical just one moment in time type of game and a lot of the people around the team actually did think they found something in the second half of that game. And now it's just a race. Can we get to, let's say, six wins?
Starting point is 00:17:16 I'm going to circle week 15 as a potential Joe Burrow return. That's roughly the timeline. And so at that point, they would have played 13 games. Can they get to 6 and 7 by then? You know, they're at 3 and 4 right now. Can they just go 3 and 3?
Starting point is 00:17:32 Yeah. Because if they can get to 6 and 7, to me, they have hope. Who are their opponent? They have the Jets and the Bulls. Bears next at home. Okay. A game where you're favored and a game where it's kind of a toss-up,
Starting point is 00:17:44 if Joe Flacco is real. Then you're at Pittsburgh, home for the Patriots, at Ravens, at Bills. It's definitely not easy, but you just have to find a way to win like two or three of those games. Maybe Joe Burrow, you know, comes back early. He was smile. Joe Burrow was smiling. Oh my gosh.
Starting point is 00:18:02 We got a smile out of Burrow. See, this just, it provides a little sliver of hope. for a fan base that was dealt back-to-back years, a tough card. And for guys like Jamar Chase, really talented players on this team, that must have been so difficult that stretch that they went through because, I mean, even just from a selfish point of view, and I don't even like to bring this up in like a sport where it's all about the team, but you're not hitting any of your incentives at all.
Starting point is 00:18:35 Like, you're not, of course you're not going to go anywhere when games, but like also you're not going to get all of those escalators either so you're getting nasty dms from fantasy football owners who needs that yeah so you know we'll see what happens but the the defense they they still are the bengals defense uh it'd be really nice to get some stops on third down it would be really nice to stop some of those explosive plays but they did get lucky with these turnovers and they were at key moments and that was how the game ended up getting one, ultimately. They put up 470 yards of offense.
Starting point is 00:19:13 It's been a while now, so I almost, it's like 27 first downs. Like that is a Joe Burrow type of line. Yes, they have hope. They're interesting. I want as many interesting teams as possible. Yes. I'm going to go with the 49ers as my first vibe check. And I decided to like keep a word in mind with all these vibe checks.
Starting point is 00:19:33 By the way, I do have breaking news. Not only is the Brandon Graham. podcast continuing. Okay. Called Unblocked. Yeah. It's a good title. I like that.
Starting point is 00:19:43 He did good. There's like triple meetings there if you really want to get into it, you know. Oh, yeah. Good. Not only is it going to keep going, but Bo says it's a good way for them to raise their ad rates. Actually, now it's going to get more attention. That's great. That's good.
Starting point is 00:19:58 Good. Money in the bank. Capitalism. Okay. The word that I would use for the 49ers right now, and I feel like they've been a little under the radar, is present. they're like living in the moment right now and I kind of love it like they've been put through a lot
Starting point is 00:20:15 as an organization not just the last few months but the last five years like a couple tough ls in the Super Bowl a really tough season last year and they've had every excuse for this season to fall apart and they're out there and Christian McCaffrey's not quite
Starting point is 00:20:33 what he once was he's battling and he's playing well. Trent Williams is not quite what he wants was, but he is battling and he's playing well. Kittle is out there again now, helping in the run blocking, like, selfless. Mac Jones. Like, he's living the life
Starting point is 00:20:48 he always wanted to live. I know. With Kyle Shanahan. And the defense is without their two big stars, and they're not coming back. And they have all these no name young players who are just out there with Robert Sala flexing his muscles again, getting
Starting point is 00:21:04 fired up. Like, to me, either not, they're not worried about, like, what their ceiling is now or what's happening. They're just, they're just out there, I think right now in the present, not worrying about expectations. I kind of love it for them. Those are the scariest types of teams. The house money teams are always the ones that end up being either the chaos makers or the ones that kind of shine through and get through to the other side. I'd say they're really resilient too. That would be another word. Did I hear it on your pod, on this pod? that this was Christian McCaffrey's first game with 200 scrimmage yards since he was
Starting point is 00:21:42 with the Panthers. No, that means you're listening to another podcast? No. I must have heard it on. It could have been a television show. It could have been serious radio. It could have been honestly anything. Maybe it was a dream. Maybe it's not even true. But I know you've seen that contract recently. Like it's in there. It must not. Oh, I know. Yeah. It's like, It's basically, like, damn it, I forgot the word. What is it called when you have to sign a... The addendum? I don't know. No, like, you can't turn around and talk about what has happened.
Starting point is 00:22:20 I'm like, non-disclosure. A non-disclosure agreement, yeah. An NDA, that's it. DNA was the only thing that was in my head. Everything's fine. But you think about... Some of those late Connie nights where she does let loose, you know, set in right here. I haven't had a lot of sleep
Starting point is 00:22:36 the past couple of days. And I wonder why I can't remember anything. We both have dementia. It's fine. I'd say it's a lot of positivity around the 49ers. I'm sorry for sidetracking you there because you were absolutely rolling. Bitter sweet could be like a word that popped in my head at first because I think if you're a fan of the team,
Starting point is 00:22:59 it's interesting that this team I think is going to end up being more fun than the last few. but there will maybe be a nagging thought that, man, if we had Bosen, Warner, like, we'd be Super Bowl contenders. And crazier things have happened. But I think sometimes it's good to lower your expectations. And I think going into this season, the expectations were lower, felt like a little bit of a rebuild.
Starting point is 00:23:22 And now it's even lower. So this is fun. I was at... Tatum Bethune, by the way. He played well in Fred Warner's spot. Yeah. I don't know what they're doing with their linebackers, but they're...
Starting point is 00:23:33 It's an excellent. system, I guess, for linebackers, but, like, De Winters is playing well. Drake Greenlaw obviously was there and used to be great. Like, Linebacker University. So I was at a concert. When? Saturday night. Okay.
Starting point is 00:23:47 Ryl O'Kiley, Wax the Hatchy opening. Probably not bands, you know, like a lot of people are familiar with. But I, there was some lyrics. I'm going to read them from a Rialo Kylie song. I'm not going to sing it. But I thought it was germane to what. what the 49ers are right now. And the lyrics are, you know,
Starting point is 00:24:08 sometimes when you're on, like you're really on. And your friends, they sing along and they love you. And that's like the 49ers when everything, like, it's just, you know, going crazy for Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers.
Starting point is 00:24:24 But the lows are so extreme that the good seems cheap. And it teases you for weeks in its absence. Whoa. But you'll fight. You'll make. it through and you'll fake it if you have to and you'll show up for work with a smile
Starting point is 00:24:39 and you'll be better and you'll be smarter and more grown up and it goes it goes on from there and to me to me that's like this song it is an amazing song shout out to a better son-daughter by riley but like to me that was a little bit of uh it was a little bit of the 49ers like I think the absence um of like the lows are so low for this team yeah that you're like is it is sometimes I watch Kyle Shanahan it's almost like Like, he thinks, like, is it even worth it chasing this? You know what I mean? No.
Starting point is 00:25:08 That he's like, he's given up a bit. But he's in that, he's in that place. Like, it teases you for weeks. Right now, I think they're on. You know what I mean? I think this coaching staff and everything about them is that they're on. And when they're on, like, they're really fucking on. Yeah.
Starting point is 00:25:24 I mean, that's a lot of F bombs on Tuesday. I was going to warn the producers, but they've, well, they've been warned. Right there in the lyrics. They know. Let's take a quick break. We'll be back with more vibe tests. What's up, everybody? Daniel Jeremiah here. And I'm Bucky Brooks. On Move the Sticks, we take you inside the game from scouting reports and player development to team-building philosophies, coaching trends, and how front offices construct winning rosters. Every week, we study the tape, talk to decision makers, and share the insights you won't find anywhere else.
Starting point is 00:26:03 It's the kind of conversation that connects the dots from college football prospects to the NFL stars of tomorrow. We break down the draft, analyze matchups, and evaluate how teams put it all together on game day. Plus, we dig in the coaching strategies, roster construction, and the trends that shape the league year after year. Whether you're a diehard fan or just love understanding the game on a deeper level, we give you the full picture. If you want insight that goes beyond the box score, this podcast is for you. Don't miss it. Listen to the Move the Six podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, this is Matt Jones.
Starting point is 00:26:43 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.
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Starting point is 00:27:30 Not the difference between. mean, it's just my dyslexic brain was only giving me DNA when I was searching for NDA. Happens. DNA, a classic, you know, Kendrick song. Right. NDA, an underrated Billy Eilis song. Wow, look at you. I also love the Kendrick Drake World series that's going on.
Starting point is 00:27:54 This is, Team Kendrick for. Oh, wow, you're right. You're really plugged in to the music world, Delaware's own. Yeah. How are you doing, fellow kids? Let's go with another vibe check for you. Okay. For me, this is actually for you, Greg. It's for the Patriots. And I would call the vibes there Broptimistic, which is bro-optimistic. And I just feel that Mike Rabel brings this bro-energy in the best way possible. And his leadership and his presence has completely changed everything. the mood around this organization.
Starting point is 00:28:33 And then Drake May, what he's been able to do, his growth, and the fact that the team is on a four-game winning streak, they're at the top of the division that it feels like this turnaround has happened sooner than at least I expected it. And players like Ramandre Stevenson are looking better because the blocking is better. And Stefan Diggs, another good performance from him. and Kashon Booty. Okay. Okay, Booty, we see you.
Starting point is 00:29:05 So I just, I'm feeling, I feel good that I will have a happy Rosenthal in my life. The vibes around this team are incredible right now. Let's actually listen to some of them. This is Mike Rable in Drake May in the locker room after beating, you know, Vrable's old. Oh. You're going to break down. One second. One second. Hey, for coaching all Tennessee coaches, Coach Braybo, we love playing for you.
Starting point is 00:29:43 Glad you're our head coach and we love you, coach. Thank you. Aw. Hey, bring it out. I got it. Bring it up now. Hey, team on three. One, two, three.
Starting point is 00:29:53 Okay, I do love that. It's so weird for me to be talking positive about the Patriots. But this is a different Patriots team. And Mike Rayble, anytime you have a team that is so genuinely excited and you know how much I love anything that's petty. And we're able to go and to beat the team that he was fired from right after they fired his replacement and do it the way they did. Yes. Sign me up. I'm all in on that. the biggest takeaway for me whenever I see moments like that
Starting point is 00:30:29 with Drake Mae is he looks like he's 14 years old. Well, he does. And he really is young. He's 23 years old. Like, he's a couple, he just turned 23. He's, he's a couple years younger than Bo Nix and Michael Penix. And hell, he's younger than Cam Ward, who he just beat.
Starting point is 00:30:46 Like, he's all that matters. I've been saying that on this show for a while. Like, the only thing that matters about this team is Drake May. the fact that he is this level is next level that that he is showing he's got a chance to be like a top five quarterback long term now I do want to point out and I've been trying to tell this to my Patriots schedule fans friends it really does matter like a ton like if they had played let's say the Seahawks like some the AFC South has been stuck playing the NFC West
Starting point is 00:31:19 like all in a row like the Jaguars and everything they'd play the Rams the Seahawks and the 49 it's like they'd have a couple else and drake may would probably have a game where he didn't look so great certainly wouldn't be like setting all these records that's just how it is aaron shots runs you know the fdn sites used to be football outsiders their numbers say that the new england patriots have the easiest schedule that they've ever recorded going back to 1979 not just the schedule that they've played so far which has been cake but taking the teams and how they've done so far this year, moving forward. It is the single easiest schedule
Starting point is 00:31:58 any team has had in 40-something years. Thank God they finally caught a break. The Patriots. I'm so happy for them. That's part of it. It's part of it, but what can you do? It is wild when you look
Starting point is 00:32:11 at the wins, they beat, well, they actually, when they lost to the Raiders, which that should have been a win, but the dolphins, I mean, what, the Panthers? They did beat the bills, but same. Titans, Browns are coming up. They just don't have a lot of tough spots
Starting point is 00:32:27 on their schedule, but it does get a little harder. Playing the Jets and Dolphins four times is a gift to both the Bills and the Patriots. But yeah, that clip was amazing. I suggest people watch it because there's a moment when Stefan Diggs kind of shakes Rabel from behind where for like one second it looks like Rabel wants to turn around and swing.
Starting point is 00:32:49 And everyone clocked this too that watched it. And then he's like fine. but like whoever like digs hit him too hard and he just like had that like masculine energy that was like who and then he was like I mean imagine the adrenaline like the fight or flight that that is happening and it's all fight for all of those players in there I would imagine stuff like that happens quite a bit okay the vibes have been too good in this segment let's let's take it let's bring it down a notch bring it down okay let's let's talk about the commies okay the Washington commanders their vibe right now is at is very
Starting point is 00:33:22 like betrayed boyfriend they seem so shocked that this is happening to them I heard Dan Quinn after the game and they asked like if he's he was surprised about how things are going he was just like yes very
Starting point is 00:33:40 and the week before was a very similar vibe and I was thinking about the the Bears Washington matchup from a year ago and how that was just a moment in time where the two organizations like went their separate ways. Yeah.
Starting point is 00:33:55 And now I do wonder if like for this season, it's going to be similar because the bears who probably, you know, feel like they stole that game a little bit. Everything's great there. And Washington seems a little bit of a mess. He said he was, you know, Dan Quinn, who's usually so happy was like, he said he was hot at the end of that first half
Starting point is 00:34:15 when they gave up that really quick drive to the Cowboys last week. Some of the defenders were, you know, were saying that they were pissed and that they were embarrassed. I remember Jaden Daniels. It was a big thing this week. You know, told Dan Quinn about his interception against the bears and the mistakes. He's like, he told Dan Quinn, he called him, and he said, that will never happen again. And I'm thinking like, well, it will happen again.
Starting point is 00:34:36 Yeah, of course it will. Sorry. But it's almost like last year was such a magical ride for them. And they really believed coming into this season, despite some signs from the outside that it might be tough to stay at that level. They didn't believe that. And so they just feel a little thrown back right now. And the vibes are not good. It's like they've been betrayed by their own expectations.
Starting point is 00:34:58 So in my head, I'm thinking about how it feels sort of like a person who came from nothing, no money. And then they win the lottery. And then they find out that their identity has been stolen and now they're bankrupt. This was a team that suffered through so many years of dysfunction. and just no hope whatsoever. And then they hit on the quarterback, everything's going right. They end up in the NFC championship game,
Starting point is 00:35:30 one game away from the Super Bowl with this new ownership and leadership. And you would have to imagine, as a commanders fan, you're thinking, oh, my God, finally. Finally, we're just like out of whatever that was. And now it feels like just everything is falling apart again. Now not to that level. But I would imagine if you lived in that,
Starting point is 00:35:50 space for so long that you would feel like that's exactly where you're back to. Oh, this is good. This is why Colleen gets the book, Big Bucks. She's using her astute psychological. Yes, it's all psychological. Like investment and just interpretation here that you're right. I think it is the past trauma because that's kind of been my reaction from the outside is like, calm down, guys. You've had a million injuries. And that, that sucks. But you've had a million injuries. Terry McClure is not out there. Debo Samuel's not out there. Jaden Daniels is hurt.
Starting point is 00:36:24 And your 3 and 4, and one of those losses was extremely fluky to the Bears. It's like you probably should be 4 and 3. These are the things that happen, but it's the generational trauma, not just from Dan Snyder, but from Robert Griffin the 3rd.
Starting point is 00:36:41 Did you see that Jaden Daniels' mom asked everyone to kind of keep RG3 name out of their mouth. Oh, no, that's just going to lead to more RG3. Well, that's what she was saying. She said, I wish you would stop manifesting RG3 on my son.
Starting point is 00:37:01 Words are powerful, and that's all that's talked about. Now, I'm not locked into Commander's Twitter, so I didn't know that. I didn't know anyone was talking about that. That's stupid to talk about. But then she puts it out there now and because they went to the title
Starting point is 00:37:18 game. Right. There are similarities. But I think Jaden Daniels is made of different stuff just as in terms of his NFL skill set that it's more stable and long term. I'm not talking about the person. I'm just talking about, you know, and he's had a couple of injuries this year. I don't necessarily think that means he's going to have a lot of injuries long term. No. I just this, I think should the fans should be able to like, they should be able to do whatever they want, obviously. But it just feels like it's not as bad.
Starting point is 00:37:49 as it is seeming with all of the injuries and the results. Like, this is still a good team, and they proved that last year. I don't think that it was a fluke. I think that they have a lot of good foundational pieces. I do, too, and it's an older team. On defense, they haven't been tackling well. There's been a lot of injuries. They haven't been getting takeaways.
Starting point is 00:38:10 And, yeah, they have a tough game this week at Kansas City. So they're going to be in the spotlight, and Jaden Daniels might not be playing. We didn't mention as part of the news. he is uncertain for week eight after that hamstring injury. And they did lose, who's probably been their best passer, or Doran's Armstrong for the season. So that was bad news for the commanders. But just calm down.
Starting point is 00:38:31 Like, this is not the old commanders. And even if they go eight and nine or nine and eight, it's like that's a totally normal thing to happen after your first big season. I'm already thinking, I'm a terrible fan. I'm already thinking as a Patriots fan. I'm not living in the moment of like, well, next year there will be like a major scheduled correction.
Starting point is 00:38:47 and it'll be much harder to rack up however many wins they wind up that's just how the NFL works. All right. You're a realist. Give me one more. Okay. Oh, we're going to go down south
Starting point is 00:38:58 to Miami. Ooh. The vibes with the dolphins. I'm not even sure where to start. It's almost like they are too numb but to care, but also still mad about what's happening. or it's like apoplectic, just completely furious, and the rage is just boiling because
Starting point is 00:39:23 nothing seems to be functioning correctly in Miami. And there's got to be disappointment, obviously with the way that this like anger has kind of manifested and with the team and all of the dysfunction and dissension. But Mike McDaniels, the press conferences have been so weird with him. I don't know what is going on. It seems like there's a bigger issue behind the scenes. I have a theory at least a little bit with there is like his press conference has always been weird in rambling. Don't they seem weird? And now people are just, they do seem weirder. Something seems up between him and Tua. I don't think that's reading into it too much. Okay. Yeah. And they are clearly this poor start. It's nothing is getting better. I felt like Tua calling out his teammates
Starting point is 00:40:14 was a cry for help but it's I don't know what they do at this point it felt like Tyree Kill was not that upset about not being able to play on a team that is now that's brutal one and six so and you have
Starting point is 00:40:32 Darren Waller who's hurt it's just it's a mess and I don't know how they fix it but there should be I don't want to call for someone's job but there needs to be some type of changes here. Ian Rappaport said, you know, no changes are expected.
Starting point is 00:40:51 He was talking about this week with Mike McDaniel. And yeah, they'll make that change at some point. So why wait? But it's not going to solve anything. No. Right. Like, I do hate it for Dolphins fans.
Starting point is 00:41:03 And there's so many. It's a great fan base down there. They have maybe the biggest international. And when I say that, I really mean London. Like, they might be the most popular team. in London. Maybe the Patriots got there because they won so much over the years, but there's so many Dolphins fans over there. I did the game over there in London with Simon Clancy, who's a big
Starting point is 00:41:25 fan and our friend Henry Hodgson and everything. And the vibe I get is the most dangerous for any organization that it's teetering from disappointment and anger to apathy. Apathy is the worst. ambivalence and acceptance of like, yeah, that's what we are. We're the worst. It's depression. And that's a good point. And you're going to start seeing empty seats there. It's tough.
Starting point is 00:41:54 Here's one of the craziest Mike McDaniel quotes from this week. Oh, God. This is going to be good. There's a question about the games. I can't believe. Actually, Moore wasn't made of this one in particular. He said, I don't have an opinion on the two teams in the game because we didn't participate in the game, in my opinion.
Starting point is 00:42:14 Oh, my God. And then he went on to say, typically, like, it's never a clean sound bite with him. It goes on. He sort of rambled. And he said, well, he did think their want to was there. But their desire to execute the actual assignment slash game plan was not. I mean, if you're talking about a cry for help.
Starting point is 00:42:37 Oh, he just said, he said, hello. Stephen Ross, my boss. Yeah, my players are trying, but they're actually not trying to do what we're saying. That as a coaching staff. Correct. That's crazy talk. Between that and what Woody Johnson said, the AFC East has two teams that have serious problems here that need to like make changes and figure it out. Everyone loves to point that out about the Patriots dynasty, just how bad that division was throughout.
Starting point is 00:43:12 And the bills have been beating up on some pretty weak opponents for the last four or five years. Now the Patriots are in the mix. But man, yeah, it is rough. They're in the AFCs. All right. Let's wrap up. Poor Miami. All right.
Starting point is 00:43:25 Should I go Colts, your team? Let's do it. Or should I go Falcons. Well? I feel like we only have room for one. Okay. All right. Falcons quickly.
Starting point is 00:43:35 I'm not going to do them. They're just confused. Like, they're the most confusing team. Like, they are the picture of what the NFL is right now, which is like, what even are you? You're always in prime time. Your defense is great. What? Have a pass rush? I'm so confused. But you have like John Robinson playing
Starting point is 00:43:50 great and Drake London playing great and Michael Pennex. Like I have a lot of hope for it. And yet the offense is confusing. It's not great. Like win loss, win lot. Like they're just confusing. Let's talk colds because the fact that you didn't bring them up to me was disappointing. I would describe their vibe as
Starting point is 00:44:06 exultant. Ooh, jubilant. Incredibly confident. this has been your team forever and you didn't stand by on this year I wouldn't want people to be like oh my god just talking about the Colts again like no I don't want to jinx them either because it seems like every time I get behind this team they don't take that next step now they are now I just want to sit back and watch I don't have to be part of it even though in my heart of hearts I am it feels like my adopted aFC team but Daniel Jones is playing so well you have Jonathan Taylor doing his thing again I can't I can't believe that they are six and one. And we talked about this yesterday on the Rich Eisen show that Daniel Jones, I just am not sure that he has gotten the Giants stink off of him yet, even though he's playing at the level he is.
Starting point is 00:44:59 And he's protecting the football. He's making good decisions. This offense is running so well. The offense is running how they've always wanted this offense to run. And he still, I don't think, gets that love at all. No, because people think they haven't really watched them. Even that Chargers game, which was for the number one seed in the AFC, was at 405. Yeah.
Starting point is 00:45:20 Like Eastern, buried behind the actual national games that week. It is a good case study in market size. Mm-hmm. And I think the coach, Shane Stike, and not being particularly media-friendly, like, if Sean McVeigh had a team that was as historically good as this Colts team, in Los Angeles or, God forbid, like a New York team was this good on offense with like, you know, a Parcells type, a media friendly type running the show. It's all we'd ever hear about. They'd be the number one story because that they are playing. And I said exultant,
Starting point is 00:46:00 not really in terms of their press conferences, although those have been great too. But just the way that they're playing football. They're like playing football with joy, with no fear. They're like a quiet machine, though, in terms of the media. So they're just lurking and everybody sees the standings and everyone's always been kind of a crank. I kind of think he pushes the media away consistently. Not in a, like, this, that's who he is. Like, so that might be a little part of it. So he doesn't have those, like, maybe he doesn't have the insiders in his pocket.
Starting point is 00:46:33 You know what I mean? Like, different coaches have, you know, they're like, oh, can I put Tom Pelliserro here? And maybe I'll put Ian Rapport in my back pocket. And we got Deanna. Rossini over here and it's like they're all buddies and I don't I don't get that sense from Steichen he doesn't give you anything what if Shane Steichen had the personality of Rex Ryan right like that would be a supernova right um you know who's been showing though a little bit more personality I loved this post game interview on the field Daniel Jones and Evan Washburn from
Starting point is 00:47:06 CBS not that you care but those of us on the outside I think are a little surprise just how well this team is playing to start the season. What do we need to know about this group that maybe we didn't know going into the year? I mean, I don't know. It sounds like y'all didn't know much, but we're just going to keep going, keep working. And we have a lot of confidence.
Starting point is 00:47:26 I think we've got a lot of good players, guys who work hard and do the right things. I love this version of Daniel Jones. It's disarming. And he had such a big smile there. And I saw it in this interview. he did with the Mannings, too. Was it for the Manning cast?
Starting point is 00:47:43 I can't remember. But he had this huge smile. And I was thinking, like, you know what? I don't think I've ever seen Dana Jones smile. He looks different. He looks physically different because he's happy.
Starting point is 00:47:54 He's got, though, like the weight of New York official. Just a couple little, just examples. And then we'll wrap up the sec. Talk a little Tina. There was a play last week. And it just felt like a miracle anytime the Colts would even be
Starting point is 00:48:07 in a difficult down-and-distance situation in that game. It was one of the best offensive performances of the year, maybe the best against the Chargers. And they were in a third and 17. You're like, all right, maybe finally the Chargers, you know, get off the field.
Starting point is 00:48:20 And then they run this beautiful route where Alec Pierce goes to the inside. Daniel Jones is protected well, and he just like, let's it go. Like a total bomb on 3rd and 17, hits it down the field. There was another throw that he didn't hit in the second half.
Starting point is 00:48:34 I think it was on a second down, too, where he threw the ball. Daniel Jones, you don't think of him. 63 air yards. He threw it from like the 25 down to like inside the other 20. And it was well covered. He put that thing
Starting point is 00:48:48 like what would have been on the hands. Man, I forget who the receiver was on the play. Might have been Pittman there. And it was broken up because he really wasn't open. It was double team, but it was exactly where it needed to be like on a time. Just a total like
Starting point is 00:49:04 I'm so much confident. I'm so confident right now. They are great running the ball at the end of games. It's happened the last two weeks. You know that situation where it's like the other team knows you're going to run. You just need one more first down to finish. So they just put eight in the box and they just get it anyways. Like they're better running the ball when the other team knows they're going to run the ball
Starting point is 00:49:24 than almost any team is in a normal, in a normal situation. Of Sequin last year. Yes. Like he was, everyone knew that Seekon was going to run and he was still able to break free no matter what. Also, the throw to Michael Pittman in the first half that, touchdown. I mean, he, Daniel Jones is doing things that I didn't think I'd ever see Daniel Jones do. You know, you know what he is, which is a word that we should bring back. I think it's been unfairly maligned over the years. He's cocksure, you know.
Starting point is 00:49:55 What is it? Cockshire. You know, that is just a word, I feel like doesn't get thrown out as much anymore because of the bad, like, lingy. It's spelled exactly how you would think it would. Just, but it just means, you know, extremely confident. And, you know, it's a real word. It sounds like a town in England. Exactly. It seems very British and then it sounds phallic and unfortunate. And so then people don't really say it anymore. But if you like read old like a Jane Austen book, you'll see some cocksure. I would like for the word bum to be brought back.
Starting point is 00:50:29 Like calling people. Oh, you're a bum. Bums. Oh, I think that's, yeah, more. I just like my grandfather called everyone a bum. And I miss it. It's nostalgic for me. Yeah.
Starting point is 00:50:40 So, yeah, I mean... And you're not calling... It's not a personal attack. Yeah, you're not calling unhoused or homeless people. No. You're saying it to like... He's a bum. He gave up on the play.
Starting point is 00:50:50 Your friend or an athlete or something like that. You're using it in that sort of way. Yeah. Bring bum back. There was this moment. This will wrap up vibes. Last week, watching the Colts. They had a kick return right after a charger score
Starting point is 00:51:04 actually made it a one score game was the only moment where there was like a little bit of uncertainty and they had a long kick return. by Amir Abdullah, by the way, who's still in the NFL. And they showed this shot on CBS of all the offensive linemen like getting ready to go on the field all together with Daniel Jones. And they were all so excited to like get back on the field. And it's so excited that the kick return was so good.
Starting point is 00:51:29 And like one of them like shakes Daniel Jones. It was almost like, can you believe it? It got to the 30 and we get to play football again. They're just like so. It was like an 81 yard return. Yeah. But they were just so in it. I love it.
Starting point is 00:51:42 Your team, the team of the year right now. The cults. Top powering team. Okay, let's take one more break. And we'll wrap it up on the other side. What's up, everybody? Daniel Jeremiah here. And I'm Bucky Brooks.
Starting point is 00:52:00 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, instruct 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
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Starting point is 00:52:45 Listen to the Move the Six podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, this is Matt Jones. I'm Drew Franklin. And this is NFL cover zero. We're just here to try to give you an NFL perspective a little bit different. Did you see the Colts Pretzel? That was my other big takeaway from that game.
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Starting point is 00:53:36 Who? the Los Angeles Chargers. You know who else is it? The Minnesota Vikings. The vibes here aren't great even though the Chargers are four and three.
Starting point is 00:53:47 You know, they're one in three in their last four games. Their defensive numbers over that stretch are among the worst in the NFL. The Vikings, kind of the other way around. The defense has been good,
Starting point is 00:53:59 but not great. I think they've been part of the problem. But, man, their fans are just furious at the entire Carson and Wentz experience. Both of these teams and their fans are angry for different reasons. I think the Chargers are, for whatever reason, they're, like, their fan base, and I listen to this great podcast, Guiltiest Charge. Like, they expect this more because it's the Chargers.
Starting point is 00:54:21 The Vikings had a lot of optimism this year, like new franchise quarterback. They thought they were really going to build and be a fun team this year. And so they're angrier. The Chargers are favored by three points in this game. Give me your, your favorite talking point Well, I'm kind of upset that my favorite talking point is not going to be a talking point because we don't get the J.J. McCarthy Jim Harbaal reunion here. That would have been really nice. They can say hi, but Carson Wentz was announced as the starter on Tuesday, and it's going to be another week with Max Brosmer as the backup. They're saying J.J. McCarthy is getting close. If the game was Sunday even, he would have a chance. It just feels like they,
Starting point is 00:55:06 feel like the time is right for him to start in week nine that they're trying to get him ready who do they have week nine? They have the lions which is a very difficult game but I think it's more mentally physically he's coming off that injury that they think that's the right time for him so it will be
Starting point is 00:55:22 Carson Wentz for another week. Okay so Carson Wentz who had a very inconsistent game against the Eagles first half was awful and he got a little bit better in the second half but I think for the chargers, I look at this team that started so hot right out the gate. They beat the
Starting point is 00:55:44 chiefs. They go three straight against division rivals. And then the wheels sort of fall off. And with the historic comeback from the Broncos this past week, now the Broncos are at the top of the division. And that momentum, I know Claibon doesn't believe in it, but I feel like everyone else sort of does. He's in everyone's head because anytime any He really lives in there. He lives there now. It's good. It's a good place to be.
Starting point is 00:56:10 But I totally believe in it. You know, I will frequently ask athletes about it too. I'm like, do you believe in momentum? And yeah, they all do. But I think the pressure is just mounting now on the chargers to bounce back and to get back on track. And I'm not sure with the offensive line issues that they've had and those injuries. And you have obviously. Sean Slater out for the season.
Starting point is 00:56:37 Joe Alt, like, what is his status for this game? He might play. Okay. He might play. This might be the return. That would be great. That would be absolutely massive. I think that would actually, that could swing things a bit.
Starting point is 00:56:51 I know. I was a little surprised their favorite. I think you hit on, like, the biggest matchup right there is that the pass-arch of Minnesota, which last week, your Eagles handled them. Jaylon Hertz was perfect against the Blitz. And when they were in situations, where they just let their guys pass pressure, whether it was Van Ginkle or Jonathan Grenard, Dallas Turner,
Starting point is 00:57:11 your guys reminded everyone why you got a future Hall of Famer at right tackle and you got an All-Pro at left tackle, and they stonewalled them. I don't think they had, like, forget a pressure. I don't know if they had any wins. And now they get to play one of the worst offensive lines in the league. But if All is back and we'll see about Trey Pipkins, it's crazy to me the Chargers are like hoping Trey Pipkin gets back.
Starting point is 00:57:33 But they were down to their fifth, their sixth tackle. at one point last week. And the problem is the interior line of the line, too. There was a play last week in that Colts game where they get Naheem Hines in motion behind the play. He's kind of like a returner running back type. But it was clearly like a gadgety design play
Starting point is 00:57:56 of like we need to create some offense. They got exactly the matchup they wanted, one-on-one in man coverage of him sprinting with a head start against a defensive lineman, Samson Ebecom, on the other team. Like, that's a touchdown, like on a wheel route. And Herbert is looking there at first, and before he can even really look there,
Starting point is 00:58:18 immediate win by DeForest Buckner and the Colts and is just in his face and he's running for his life. And that, to me, has been the Chargers' offense. The best plays they have is just Justin Herbert doing stuff. Because, like, they can't really run a normal offense right now. that's not good. I actually think Herbert's been playing great. His MVP level that people were like, oh, he's been the MVP through three weeks.
Starting point is 00:58:38 I think he is still playing at that level, but it is rough in front of him. Yeah, I mean, imagine if he had a competent offensive line, then he would be in that conversation. He would be maybe leading it, who knows. Also, Khalil Mack, going up against the Vikings offensive line, that's another
Starting point is 00:58:54 one to just watch now that he returned to the game last week. He's back. They traded for a DAFE OA. You know, they got Tuli, Tully Polotu, but the struggles, I think, come from a couple guys that we've been giving a lot of credit for on this show. Deon Henley, who we thought was kind of a breakout player started the season. Well, they just seem a little lost in coverage, both him, Durwin James, like the middle of that defense. Teams are taking advantage of their aggressiveness. They're very aggressive.
Starting point is 00:59:24 And so this is a game where KOC is looking at. And it's like, man, I can scheme up some open receivers. And we know he can. He did it against the Eagles. Can Carson Wentz deliver? Can KOC figure out the right balance? Because here's a stat for you. Last week in the Red Zone, the Vikings called 15 passes and six runs. What? 15 Carson Wentz passes.
Starting point is 00:59:45 And so many of those were like inside the five, too. You were watching that game. Oh my God. I mean. It's like they're counting on like you can't count on Carson Wentz that much. It's too much. I loved it when I was watching it. Like yes, more Carson Wentz passes.
Starting point is 00:59:58 Let's go. I've seen this before. And I hated it before. but I love it now. Really big game, I think, for both of these teams in this season. It feels like a stop-the-bleeding type of game for either to either stay over 500 if you're the Chargers, to stay, you know, same thing with the Vikings, they could fall under and be last place in that division.
Starting point is 01:00:18 And the Vikings, by the way, the window opened on Aaron Jones, so he could potentially play. It sounds like you're right to point that out. Good job. Hey, thank you. I think he is going to play in this game based on. how Kevin O'Connell talked about it, that, like, he wouldn't need much ramp-up time.
Starting point is 01:00:36 So it'll be fun Thursday night. We'll be watching. And we'll also be saying goodbye on the show. But before we do, we just got some, like, fun little news that's like, why not throw this in? Okay. Russell Wilson on Twitter, on Tuesday,
Starting point is 01:00:55 responded to a comment that Sean Payton had made at the podium. I believe it was on Monday. And this was Sean Payton's comment for context. They found a little spark with that quarterback. I was talking to John Mara, the owner of the Giants, not too long ago. And I said, we were hoping that change happened long after our game. Russell Wilson,
Starting point is 01:01:23 understandably, I think, taking it as a shot, considering their history together, said, classless, but not surprised, didn't realize you're still bounty hunting 15 plus years later through the media. Sunglass emoji, crying, laughing emoji.
Starting point is 01:01:41 Let's ride. Diagonal, laughing, crying emoji. I would have liked no emojis and no hashtag. And then I would have been like, oh, are we getting like a little actual window into Russell Wilson? Like, is he starting to take the guard down a little bit?
Starting point is 01:01:58 I like that. Is he showing? Like, now he's, been through so much adversity that he's like, screw it. But then the emojis, he tempered it still. He tried to soften it with the laughing. I think you're showing your elder millennial you know, bona fides. Like, I'm with you. I agree. Whenever someone does that, when you're saying something real and then they add it, it just undercuts it a little bit. Yeah. Okay. Why don't you just stand on it? Stand by that. Right. But I think it's just more comfortable. You know, I think it might be
Starting point is 01:02:29 a generational thing. Although he is part of your generation, Arjun. You are in the same generation. You and Russ. You and Russ. I'm more of like cusp, Jenna. You know, I'm... You're on the cusp. I'm like significantly older than you, Colleen. That's just a fact. I don't really... Closer to death.
Starting point is 01:02:44 I knew it would come off at some point during the show. That's like our thing. Well, we all are, Greg. From at least when we started this show today. I love that from Russ, by the way, because game recognizes game. One of my favorite quotes ever that I literally think about multiple times a week.
Starting point is 01:03:06 It's from a novel by Rachel Cuss. And she writes, the character says like how she thought how often people betray themselves by what they notice in others. And I think that is so true. Yeah. Russell Wilson knows how to play that media game.
Starting point is 01:03:24 You know, Russell Wilson in some ways is the player version of media manipulation that Sean Peyton has been through the year. So he, like, he sees it. Wow. This is next level. The things that you dislike about yourself, like you see in others and attack it.
Starting point is 01:03:43 Exactly. Because you know it. Yeah. Like when you, when you, it's close to the, you know, this is the sports psychology podcast. Welcome. It's close to the idea that, every accusation is in admission a little bit because it's something you're expert in. You understand that. So you really can recognize those qualities and others, even if it's the worst, sometimes quality in yourself. Those are the ones you know the best.
Starting point is 01:04:13 Take that as a lesson, everyone. We did it. So great to have Colleen back. Great to be here. On see you next Tuesday. We will see you on Wednesday. Steve Weish in the house. Patrick Claibon in the house Light week Only what 12 games Because there's six buys this week That's terrible for fantasy
Starting point is 01:04:35 Very excited For the week Eight preview We're in week eight We'll see you then We're all dying This is an IHeart podcast

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