OverDrive - Willson on the Eagles' team turmoil, the NFC standings and Cowboys and Lions' matchup

Episode Date: December 4, 2025

TSN NFL Analyst Luke Willson joined OverDrive to discuss the headlines around the NFL, the standings outlook in the NFC, the problems around the Eagles and the atmosphere in the locker room, the Lions and Cowboys' matchup, Hayes, Bro and O's selection and more.

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Our 2 Overdrive Bringing you everything From the opening line to the final score Brian Hazio Doug Jeff O'Neill Dave Festruck And there he is Luke Wilson Around the table How are we feeling this afternoon?

I'm feeling great. I woke up today and I just felt like it's going to be a great night that leads into a great weekend for me. Just for you in particular? Noodles and our team owner Jay-on, right? Okay. Yeah. I feel like I just went to a restaurant and my old ex is like that's a gross food.

Yeah, it's a bit awkward. Usually we bro hug it up when I come in here? I just sat down. Nothing. Yeah. Nothing. Disappointing. You and I?

Okay. We need a big one tonight. You know what I've noticed that this guy's doing? Yeah. So here's the way things work out. Al's brother and I will kind of come through a consensus on what we think. And then he'll hedge by going the other way. Yeah.

Just so that if we lose, he can be like, hey, I told you. Oh, that is my signature move. I know exactly. No, I've only done it twice. I've only done it twice. And you're 2 and O and both your – Yeah, because we haven't had a winner since he came around. Thank you very much.

But both times I said, look, you do what you want, but I'm telling you this is my vibe. And they ignore me, and they do what they want, and they're dummies. Well, I haven't really heard from Al's brother, right? Al's brother, I believe he's on a cruise right now. Who the hell knows? Probably on a cruise somewhere. Down the Don River. Right, he's saving some money in the holiday season.

But it kind of feels like a must-win for both teams tonight. Must-win. Dallas and Detroit. I know whoever loses, they're not mathematically eliminated, but in my opinion, the match just doesn't math for me. Again, sometimes you can look at, oh, here are the chances left, but I look at the NFC West and I think all three teams are going to get to

11 wins, minimum. So 11's going to be the magic number and then you look at I believe that Chicago and Green Bay probably both get to 11. So you're going to need 11 wins and potentially 11 wins and a tie to get in.

So again, you'll still be alive but I think whoever loses tonight, that's all she wrote in my opinion. Yeah, it feels that way. Again, I think San Fran's on by, but I do believe they get two more wins, especially if you look at their schedule upcoming.

Seattle and the Rams, I think, are also minimum getting to 11. Now they do play each other one more time in there. Green Bay, best case in error for these teams tonight would be if Chicago beats Green Bay, but if Green Bay beat Chicago, which is kind of where I would be leaning, you know,

you got another 9 and 4 team, like, you just don't have enough games left. Yeah. Yeah, and I got to give credit to Dallas. Like, I was perplexed by their moves at the trade deadline where they're in it. They went all in and they acquired pieces. And they have a very weak schedule. They have a very

weak schedule. This is what I'd say I'd be fearful of if I'm in Dallas Cowboys Fair now. Let's say they find a way to get it done tonight, which is going to be tough. I understand there's a lot of things going on here. I'm just throwing it in there. It's going to be very tough. But I think there's a way

they definitely can win this game. I get nervous that the Cowboys then lose a softball game. It's like the epitome of the Cowboys. And it would be so Cowboys to do that. Exactly. They come in, they go in this crazy run they're on now. You know, they beat the Chiefs on Thanksgiving. If they find a way to go into Detroit tonight and win,

and you're looking at the rest of their schedule, and it is like softball after softball. And then all of a sudden it's like they're going to be the seven seed. And it's like we just puke all over ourselves one of these games. They lose to the Giants or something like that. They got Vikings Chargers, commanders, giant. That's what I'm saying. It's a softball schedule, but it'd be the Cowboys way to like,

below one of these games. That's exactly what they represent. Yeah, they might, but they, man, their offense is rolling. Their offensive best in the league right now. It's hard, it's hard to imagine that it won't continue to roll, though maybe they'll have, maybe they will have one of those set-back games, but it's, I'll say this. This is going to be a shootout tonight, guys. I mean, this is going to be a shoot-hap. I would agree with that. And then the thing that I will say, the only thing that could perhaps, like, it's a bit weird, but since Quinn and Williams has joined on, their run

defense has been a lot better. But I think some of that is also, you look at who's, they've played in that time. They haven't really played, like, elite run teams, including Philadelphia. Philadelphia, although they have Sequin, has been awful in the run games here. So we'll see how Jamir Gibbs, the lines are going these six,

seven-minute drives potentially sell that down, but I am expecting like a 34, 31 ordeal. Are you? I think you're right. It's a spread three and a half. Three-point game? Interesting, interesting. Wouldn't that be an interesting outcome?

But I'll say this, boys, like, you don't want to see the Cowboys in the playoffs. I don't know if we can bring that board up right now. Dude, do we bring that board back up? Well, they'll have to go on the road, though, right? Sure, but who's stopping this team? Because part of what everyone forgets is their run game is awesome. Like, Giovante Williams' this O-line has been amazing.

So, like, if they get into the 7th seat here, like, you know, going into the Rams, like, does the Rams defense want to see them? Now, I'll tell you this, Matthew Stafford treads his defense. But, again, if somehow they're in the 6-seat, you know, in Philly, there's a lot of movement that could happen here. Well, what they need is to catch Philly, is what they need. They need Philly to keep falling apart, and they chase down the division. Then you play at home.

I'm with you, and the Philly Bears game scared me, but I don't see them catching Philly. I just... There's some weird mojo in Philly right now. There's a very weird mojo. How the how could there be mojo, watching them win the Super Bowl? It's like, you just look at that, the way they dominated. Yes. Something that you love, physicality, line of scrimmage.

Like, they were dominant. you're like, these guys are going to go on a run and now all of a sudden it's a circus. It doesn't seem possible. And it's unfortunate how like in this league like locker room culture matters so much. And wouldn't everybody in the locker room, Luke, say we, like, let's just keep going here.

Everybody on the same page. How do people deviate and get on their own program saying, I'm not getting the ball enough, this and that. In like, in the locker room fighting, it's like, stay the course, man. in my experience, it's when there's certain individuals that aren't held to the same standard, everyone else's.

That's one thing that I can't speak in other sports, but at every level that I had played up until the NFL, it was kind of like, hey, we're all supposed to abide by a certain standard. And there's a lot of things in the NFL that occur, that that

rarely happens. And I get the feeling that this is a personal opinion, that a lot of the guys are a bit frustrated with Jalen Hertz. If you really buzzed the film, it's like, hey, we're all kind of sacrificing, doing all these things. What is going on with

Jalen Hurts? So what the hell is his problem? Other than underperforming? Is he got favorites? Is he just not doing certain things? I just don't think he's executing the offense the way they're hoping to do it. You know, you look at the past game, and he's a great off-schedule guy, but there are numerous times where

there are simple reads, you know, and I've seen some of this like, this is from the film, this part is not an opinion, where it's like, they've basically created an offense where there'll be a man side and a zone side, which is somewhat novice, more college style. And to make it this way, I was going to call you parts, O'Dog, if you can tell it zone, which a lot of times you can, it's simple like, okay, if it's zone and that's my man side,

like I'm working this two-man combo over here. And he'll sat the ball and work the man side, and no one will be open. And then it's like, oh, what am I doing? Dude, after week four, I thought he was going to win the MVP. No, he's struggled throwing the football. Again, I think he's an unbelievable athlete. I just and part of it too, I'll be honest,

is he's got a new OC every year. Like, you've got to give the guy some credit, but it's like he has not taken the next step as far as a progression quarterback, and that has really jammed them this year, and the fact they don't have a run here. You know better than anybody if you're elite, it doesn't matter if it's Joe Blow from the stands

with a parka on Colin. Like, you just, you do it. And what's strange, too, is it's not like he doesn't have weapons. The guy, A.J. Brown, I think, is talent-wise, the top-10 guy. I would sneak A.J. Brown close to my top five, talent-wise. And the other guy that doesn't get talked about it in the top ten is Devante Smith. You put DeVonte Smith with Matthew Stafford. He's a triple crown winner. Swear to God, he's that good of football. Where it's like, you know, he's their number two guy and makes a big play. He's a 60 yards of game in Philly.

He's right now, and the case of point is Devante Adams. He's obviously not winning the Triple Crown, but he's got a million touchdowns. He's catching the ball every week. You put DeVant Adams and Matthew Stafford? Triple Crown. Cooper Cup. A couple years ago. You get what I'm saying here. It's crazy. The debate's going to be, it's never going to stop with him.

Right? Like he got pushed out of college and then he went to Oklahoma, I think, actually had a great end of his career there. That was second round pick, came into Philly. Was a great team, though, great defense, push, all this, all that. But he's won in Super Bowl. Won a Super Bowl MVP. Been

just two Super Bowls. And yet his resume is phenomenal. And like they've paid him. They've committed to him. He's the guy. Yet everyone has a different viewpoint on if he's even any good. Like it's a really wild debate about him. I think it's stupid to say is he any good.

I hear you. But look what he's saying though. Like this year he's been, he's been horrible. He's been their worst offensive player. Okay. Well, how the hell did he get to two Super Bowls and win one of them and the MVP? I'll say it is.

And those are facts. Like that happened. You can't take that away from it. That's not projecting he could do this at some point. But that being said, Jaylen Hurts literally has done it. They had the number one defense last year and a historical rusher. And I can kind of speak from like experience with that where it's like when we won the Super Bowl, we had a generational defense and Marshaun Lynch.

Now, Marshaun didn't have the season Saquan had. But it's like if you had to rank my list of important things, now granted, in the Super Bowl we won, Malcolm Smith was our MVP so there's definitely like a difference between Russ and Jalen Hertz there but if you had to rank in my like what was important on that Seahawks winning team the Legion of Boom is one sure Marshawn is two like our quarterback was three so but I don't remember a season like this in Seattle for us yes once he got out the difference and I think Russ too beyond him not being a progression guy even after the Super Bowl wins Russ was a phenomenal playmaker. Like you would always

see him off schedule, the moonball, you know, a majestic scramble. You're just not seeing that from Jalen this year. Right. You know, and that's the big difference between Russ and Jalen. Okay, so you talk about, in his defense, he loses his O.C. from the Super Bowl team. When we're looking at Detroit tonight,

I mean, the off-season narrative was, whoa, hang on, they just lost their O.C. and their D.C. off this incredible team that was the best they've had in years. And when they were four and one, that quieted down. Now that they're seven and five... And switch play callers.

I was going to say. Is that the easiest explanation for why they've come back to Earth? Yes. To me, when I look at the Lions season so far, there's a lot of... I wouldn't call them small things, but there's a lot of what's called medium things that have occurred that have now added up to this situation.

And you said at one, losing both your coordinators is tough. That's like the most glaring thing. Two, whatever happened with John Morton calling the plays, you know, I didn't buy that whole, like, oh, we're just trying to change it up. You don't change up a play caller. This isn't like, hey, we've lost a couple of hockey games, let's switch the lines up. That's

not the same here. You change up a play caller, it's a massive shift. So clearly they weren't on the same page there. And then you look at, like, the reality is production-wise, they have not gotten the same production out of the offensive line as they did

last year. And then the final thing I'd say is, I believe the saying, the chickens are coming home to Roos, but these fourth downs have been a bloodbath. Like in the past, it was like, the lines go for Fort Down, and they're just, it was almost automatic at one point because it was a great run game, the offensive line

and push people out, the play action stuff worked, couldn't stop them. Now they can't get, even when they scheme it up and they have James William's wide open, they have a bad throw and a drop. Is that like falling in love with your identity? Like, this is who we are. Is that what it is? There's definitely that and what's tough is, like, I get, they've had

so much success in the Fort Down. I'm not suggesting they stop. But there is a world where it's like, okay, part of the reason we had such success was we had a better offensive line with Frank Ragdow in the helm. You know, you had Leporta, which you don't tonight. You've got all these guys. Like last week, it's like your, Amun Ragh wasn't playing after he got hurt. You know, Leporter obviously is not playing.

And your offensive line is not the same. And it's like, well, our four down numbers aren't the same. Well, I'm like, well, yeah. Yeah, that's because you take out Frank Ragnow, Sam Leport, and Alam and Ross St. Brown, your fourth down numbers are not going to be the same. Yeah. Coldest man in sports gambling right now. Al's brother, back in the fold after, we had a bye week last week.

That's what we're calling it. It was our by week. We needed to rest. We needed to basically reset, and that's precisely what we did. and now we come back hot and we're on the game tonight. Lions Cowboys, we've been talking about this game. Yeah, Lions Cowboys, and the spread is minus three and a half on Fandul. Don't love that half-point hook, but it's there.

There's nothing we can do about it. Al's brother, we need to get cooking again, man. The whole world is watching. We've been the hottest duo and now the hottest trio in pro sports. We've got to get back on track. Where's your head at with this game tonight? Yeah, we've got to get hashtag back to business. Like, that's what we got to do.

We got to channel that right back here with the three of us, not just the two of us. Also, hashtag, now we bro. Now we bro. Now we bro. We are getting back to business, and now we bro. It's a tough game, and I hate the fact that the hook is here. That hook really, really, it's not a fun thing to be on the other side of that magic number of three. But I will say this, fellas, the lions have been bounced back king.

this year. They're 13 and 1 against the spread coming off a loss in their last 14 games that they have lost. And when you look at that spread 3 and a half, it kind of suggests that this is nearly a pickum game on a neutral site. I don't know about you guys, but I think the Lions are definitively

the better team between the two. So with this game being in Detroit, you look at the Cowboys, they've yet to have a signature road win this year. The 2 and 4, their only wins are against the Raiders and the Jets on the road. I have to side here with the lines. A coupled out the fact that, Luke, you were talking about it,

this Dallas team can't really stop the run that well. They're 27th in the league and stopping the running on the road. They're giving up merely five yards per carry. I think Jemir Gibbs and Monty, I think they're going to have a great night. But here's the one thing that might be troublesome for Dallas. They are giving up the third most yards receiving to running backs. There's no better receiving back in the league than Jemir Gibbs. So Noamon-Ross, St. Brown, but that's okay because Jemir Gibbs he'll be a problem in the passing game tonight. I think we lay

the points with the favorites. I think the Lions roll tonight. Okay. Yeah, I mean that's where I lean. To me, obviously the spread is relevant but ultimately you've got to start with who do you think wins the game. I'm just saying I'd like to point something out and I'm not a big PFF guy but I had to pull

the phone out of here. I can't believe how outdated my guy's tremendous information. Al's brothers' tremendous information is not accurate to the minute. The Quinn and Williams trade, he said the Cowboys can't stop the run. Since getting Quinn and Williams, you know what they're ranked against the run?

Best in the league! My guy wouldn't say, oh, they're giving up this. Best in the league since Quinn and Williams. I guess me, Hayes, and JP, moving forward. Al's brother, that's a big challenge, man. I get, if you want to look at the whole picture here, you know, their run defense grade was 30th pre-Quinn and Williams, but you can't ignore that Quinn and Williams is on the scene.

Alas, brother, are you on that 3G Carnival Cruise Wi-Fi? Like, come on. Oh, no, no, it's all relevant. It's all relevant. I mean, what, three-game sample size? We're looking at here. We're talking about you. Let me go back to my old team.

You've got to go over the top and tell me you what the ball. House brother, respond. Please, take the floor. You've got to respond to that. That's a pretty significant blow. No, I mean, listen, have they played well against the run recently? Yes, but they haven't played any good teams that can run the football. So I think it's all relevant.

And you look at the opponents. I mean, the Chiefs have not been a strong running team. I mean, I don't know what's going on with Saquan Barkley. That offensive line apparently forgot how to block. They can't get going on the run. And we're talking about the Raiders. The Oakland Raiders, the Vegas Raiders. Right, they stink.

Not very three good teams. So you look at this squad here in Detroit. They're one of the best running teams in the NFL. They've got a two-headed monster there. I think they'll be able to move some people around, unlike those other three teams. So that's a small sample size that doesn't really stick. Do you think Detroit stops Pickens and C.D. Lamb tonight, my guy? I think it'll be a high-scoring game, but ultimately I think that Detroit will be able to stop the run,

and they need that running attack to set up the downward passing. So I think that it'll probably end up being maybe a touchdown game here for Detroit. I think we could see it, 3427. That's my score. Where do you stand on this? O'Dog. You've got to step up here. I've already talked to you privately, so you make the call and you know where my head's at. This guy, all he does is his head.

And then it's a win-win. If we win, it's like this is the greatest thing ever. You guys criticize me and you said ever since I came on board, you guys are a mess. You're killing us, yeah. So I'm not going to... So, Oda, you like Dallas? Just be honest. You like Dallas tonight.

I do. But win outright. Why? Dude, I'm a pro athlete. I go off a vibe and a feel. I don't come up with stats on a computer that's not working like you do. You make the pick. If you want to go with the Lions, go ahead.

Dallas has been really good. They've been impressive. This is on the road. It scares me Dallas on the road. Full week two. Schuyterheimer. Full week of prep. Both teams.

This is Detroit in its most desperate moment. Take them then. They're so desperate. And it scares me that they have the weapons out that they do. But I think Detroit just has a little bit more in the tank here to get a win at home. Lock it, do. lock it. I think we lay the points and lock in the lions.

I think we lay the points and lock in the lions locked in. Hey, listen, if it goes awry, you're happy to put yourself on waivers. I'm out. How about that? You lose? I'm out, and I'm back. Oh, you're going back over there. Exactly. Because this is the last time I'm going to put up with this. Okay. Well, you're Chris Paul, man.

Like we're sending you home. You're our Chris Paul. We don't like the way you operate. Well, I will punt Jay Onwright. and I will become the new president of football operations. Wow. Just free reign to go whichever way you choose. That's it. So we need the boys tonight. The athletes need the boys tonight.

That'll bring us down to 10, and then we've got three games on Sunday. We're going to need to do some work. Yeah, we got big games this week in the NFL. I got to start chipping away. I missed off last week. I got to get to Christmas time around seven would be nice. Yeah, if you're inside a touchdown, you've got a shot.

There's not that many games left. I'm running on time. Listen, I was brother and I, you know, we've got to figure it out. We've got to get off this night. Last week was embarrassing. I think you're on the right side tonight. Let's go, I hope so. I hope so.

All right. Let's see. Pick is lost. His brother, great seeing you. Now we bro. Now we bro. Now we bro. Now we bro.

How about them cowboys? Good luck tonight. You can't be feeling great about riding a cowboys in a big game. It's the Dallas Cowboys. Have you seen that offense? You're rolling, man. Yeah, I've seen them. At home, they're phenomenal.

On the road, different. Some of my sources say, Pickens might be the best wide receiver in the game right now. is not the truth at all. He's not. He's not. Who is? Well, I would still take Jefferson over him. Oh, talent? Talent-wise or season-wise? Yeah, if you're talking about who's hot right now, Pickens is obviously been phenomenal.

I'm still taking Jamar Chase over this guy. I would too, but I think Pickens has put his name in that hat. I think he's put his name in there. Who would you take C.D. Lamb or him starting a team today? Me? Yes. George Pickens. Really?

I'm taking Lamb over him. Lamb's got the size on him. Yeah. Like, you've got to take. the guy who's bigger. This is what I'll say, though, look at Pickens. This is a real fascinating, obviously. Pickens was in hell in Pittsburgh. Yes.

You know, you look at what's going on with D.K. Metcalfe, and it's like, man, you're just jam. Pittsburgh's a disaster right now. They're going to have to completely reload everything, I think. Yeah, so I think Pickens, like, again, this is first year in a real offense with a real quarterback. He's a stud.

What's going to be real interesting, is that guy, it's a contract year for that guy. They're going to tag him, for sure. They'll franchise tag him 100%. And then it'll get ugly. They're going to franchise tag him, I think. All right, boys. Al's brother, great seeing you as always on the Lions tonight.

Let's go. We've got to get a win tonight. Let's go Lions, baby. Got to get a win. All right, that is Luke Wilson, Al's brother. All right, leave some of the next to action tonight. Give me a roar. Come on. No.

Can't do it. Won't do it. Rahr. There you go. Oh, that was a kiddie per. That was not great. That was Chris Paul type material right there. Iheart Radio, everything holiday, all in one place.

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