OverDrive - Willson on the Packers' dominant win, Burrow's big return and NFL Thanksgiving picks

Episode Date: November 27, 2025

TSN Football Analyst Luke Willson joined OverDrive to discuss the headlines around the NFL Thanksgiving games, the Packers' win against the Lions, the contender status for Green Bay, Joe Burrow's return to the field, Hayes, Bro and O and Noodlleson's picks and more.

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country. Keep you smell what the rock is cooking. Yeah, for Noodle Son, noodle Son, which I'm not sure I love that name. I got to be honest. Get out of here. Get out of here, Bob. There he is.

Oh, no, I almost called your parts. I can't get over that you would make that sign. I can't get over it. It's my new life now, parts. Oh. Who? Sorry I said that. Sorry, I said.

said that. Who are you talking to? When you say parts, you're talking to me, right? That's exactly who I'm talking to you. Oh, man. How about those Green Bay Packers, Luke? How about them Green Bay Packers? And man, did Micah Parsons making an announcement to the world that he's here and he's ready to play this afternoon?

He was unbelievable, Hayes. I'll say this. I also thought he was wildly disruptive in the run game. And if you remember beginning of the year, and I was on this train myself, I got to own up to it where I'm like, Yeah, he's not the most stout run defender. And he slipped a lot of blocks, caused a lot of havoc. I mean, big plays would have mattered. If you're Green Bay right now and it's such a pivotal game, you're in that front office,

you kind of sit there and say, this is why we went out and got him. I mean, this obviously, you look at the Lions down. They're kind of on the outside looking in playoff-wise. Now I do think there's a world where they still get there. Look at that. Xavier Worley just took, I got the game behind me here. I'm just making sure we cover the spread. Yeah, I got you.

with a nice, long reverse. But I thought it was overall an incredible performance by Micah and by Green Bay. And I'll say this, Hayes, and you're a Green Bay guy, you know this. They've had a hard time at moments of winning the big one when it's close. I hated the call

to go for it on Fort Down to clinch the game there, but what a throw and catch by Love and Wicks there. I was like, holy smokes. So Green Bay right now, times are good. They are. That defense has been explosive. I think you pointed that stopping the run's been a huge issue for them for years.

And like the first time Campbell went for it on fourth and third, he runs Gibbs up the middle and he just got stuffed. He lost yardage on that play. And then obviously later Williams drops that ball that he had to have on fourth and short later in the game. But I think the run defense is significant, Parsons significant. And what I think Lefleur, I like that he had that attitude and that approach because he has been getting called out for being far too conservative this year.

like way too conservative with his play calling and that's a ballsy play that's a dan campbell play like we're just going to win the game right now like just call a play snap it on fourth down and they executed i'll tell you this so hey so one thing i would disagree with is that dan campbell's never had a defense as good as the packers have right now and granted the packers it looks susceptible at times today but micah was rolling and my thought it's like you pin him inside the 10 they have no timeouts and you say micah go make another play but again it was really risky but it paid off you know so i'm i'm excited for green bay right now i'll say this too i thought this was because they've been a bit up and down on offense and

i thought this was the best jordan the most consistent jordan lovers look let's put that way he's been good recently man he's starting to cook a little bit and like watson healthy is i think significant right they're getting some pieces back uh jacob's played today they've got kind of a two-headed monster in terms of running backs. Wilson's been good. So, yeah, I mean, I look at the NFC North, and I understand Chicago's still technically in the driver's seat, and they got Philly tomorrow,

but this felt like a big statement. Like, this felt like Green Bay basically putting their stake in the ground saying, we're taking this division. And I'd put money on them doing it now. And honestly, if you look at Chicago's schedule, I was kind of going through this afterwards, but it's an absolute bear. Like, it wouldn't surprise me.

They're going to have to really win some games because they have all the three of them, in my opinion, the toughest schedule by far. Well, they got Green Bay twice, too, right? Like you said, Green Bay twice, and then they end at San Fran and verse Detroit, your only game in there that's, I wouldn't even say a gimmie,

but it's easier as Cleveland. So it's like Philly, Green Bay twice, San Fran, and Detroit, I hate to say this Bears fans, but I'm not sure I like them, and I don't care what the spread says in any of these. I'm not sure I like them winning any of those games. No, I'm with you. I'm with you on that.

And the spread will be applied when we get to those picks momentarily because you and noodles will be on the clock for that game tomorrow afternoon. It's going to be tough to hear that. It's going to be very tough to hear that. Be honest with me. You're not, you're not, this isn't some big jam job. I know. Mohams looks phenomenal.

Look at this guy. Like you're not a mole coming over here to ruin the mojo between Al's brother and I. Then you're going to flip back to lose. Like, is that what's happening right now? Parts, let me ask you this. Parts. I was talking to you by that. Scary, man.

Luke, let me ask you this. That last game, would you have picked the lions or no? No, not at all. I would have taken Green Bay. How about, dude. Let me say this. I spoke with noodles, who, by the way, is absolutely, like you said, the president of operation around here. We needed a new culture.

I was told that my former parts, had been consistently dragging me quite a bit as Cream Hunt gets extra yards in the ground right now as we're going on to cover this spread. Okay, we had a bad culture, and that's what was equating to the losses. Okay, I think I'm a little behind you. I don't like that face. No, he fumbled, but it was out of bounds. Out of bounds, all good.

Still possession, Kansas City, in the red zone. Go ahead. Okay, I'll say this. You know, I talked to noodles, and we both were kind of on the same vibe that O-Dog's a bit like a floating bag right now. You know, wherever the wind blows him, he just, goes over there. He jumped off the ship, you know, and now he's on the other team. This isn't the first time.

You picked up a floating bag. I called him, I called him Billy Zane from Titanic yesterday. Like that's, it was a sinking ship, man, and he was running over women and children to get over here to Hazenbro, and it's kind of a concerning

characteristic. I got to be honest. But he's my partsy now, so I got to love him. Or is he? That's right. We'll see. could be back on waivers. It's only been one game. We got a... Noodleson has a long way to go.

Long way to go, but it would help if we could get this one. And then you guys got... The spread tonight's tough. The tough, man. The spread tonight's tough, because you just don't know who you're going to get

with Joe Burrow coming back. Well, let's start with that. I mean, Burrow was returning. It's not a short week for him because he hasn't played in a couple of months. Are you surprised at all that he is playing, that they wouldn't shut him down for the year?

Like, the Bengals aren't going anywhere. He's been kind of a... a Band-Aid throughout his career, but he's going to play tonight and presumably the rest of the season. Absolutely not. And he said in his interview, Hayes, where it's like, listen, if he's healthy enough to play, he plays. This is your main guy.

Like, this is called being a pro athlete here. You don't say, oh, the team sucks, so I'm going to stay healthy. It's like you're the captain of this team. You make all the money. You go out there and you ball out if you're healthy. It's plain and simple to me. All the other narratives are like, don't want them get hurt. hurt. Don't them get hurt for what?

Well, I guess for your future, you're three and eight, you stink. I mean, they're not going to... We can get hurt any time. Do you think he ever returns to greatness, Luke? Kelsey Tuddy, boys! Kelsey Tuddy! 14-7 Chiefs. It's early. It's early. Backdoor cover. Yeah.

Creams it. Sorry, sorry about that. Sorry about that. I'm all behind. Just completely disrespectful to your former partner. Just chewing on it. I'm not even re-asked. He's the floating bag. Floating bag. Do I think

the wind's blown him away. Yeah, I know. You know? So here, the question is, so I think Burrow will be healthy, I think, but I'm not trying to throw you guys off. I think Burrow comes out here tonight and throws for 330 yards.

No, he doesn't. I'm not joking. No, he doesn't. I think he comes out here tonight and throws for 3.30 right on this Baltimore defense's head. That's completely disdungious. Look at him. That's completely disingenuous.

in January. Hey, ex-parts, dude. What are you guys going to pick tonight, man? Burroughs coming off over 3.30. I do think Jamar Chase is going to have to have a chip on his shoulder, though, right? Like, he's coming off a suspension, and, you know, he issued an apology, and we'll see what he's got in store. You think he actually cares about that? Jamar Chase?

Yes. The fact that he, well, I mean, I don't know. You could speak to it, Luke. Like, that's as disrespectful as you can get what he did. You know, like you spit on the guy. It's, you know. trouble. This is what I would say too, though. I would say, you know, as much as you want to say, oh, it's X amount of million, you know, he's making a million. Like, when you get a whole game

check taken away, which is I believe what happens with suspension, that is not a fun feeling. Like, that's a, especially for him, that is an ungodly amount of money. So I'm sure that he does care about it, one for the rep, but more so for the cash. You know, I don't have his exact game by game salary, but he lost a lot of cash by doing that. That's an expensive spit. Yes. Very significant. Lots of money.

Oh, no. Call me out. Oh, my goodness. Oh, my goodness. Oh, God. Look at these two guys. The flowing bag, dude. Wow. I can't wait until noodles is back. Yeah.

This has got to be. Oh, it's like old times. It's brutal. It feels great to be back on the same team, oh, doesn't it? It does. Remember Al Dog? You remember how awesome Al Dog was? The vibes were immaculate.

The vibes were macular. It was so bad at picking games, though. That's my concern, man. You guys, like, it's just a weird mojo. Dave, I got to be honest. It's a weird mojo. It's uncomfortable. It's a two-man bobsled.

We got the O-Dog laying on top of us. It's a difficult management job. Whoever is managing this team has got a lot of work to do. Yeah. How's brother, where do you stand on things? I mean, you were pushing the lions, too. You like that moon, right? The waxing crescent or whatever it was that you referenced earlier this afternoon.

You know what? The moon got us. The moon got us. And I'll take that. I'll take that. I don't want to put that one on O. So I think we do deserve to give him another chance here. Because that's not me.

That's my bad. Going into today, when the moon reading is in the current phase, which it was, the lines are 3 and 0 on Thanksgiving. So I just, you know, the trends. suggested that they were going to win and cover the number again. And, you know, if it wasn't for that phantom timeout, late timeout call, that, you know, ended up in another touchdown. Who knows how this game turns out?

Oh, Doug, listen to this guy. This is your partner. Excuses already. Wasn't for phantom timeouts. This is what you become, O'Dog. No, no. I consider it brilliance. I consider it brilliant.

Go ahead, Alex, brother. No more interruptions. Well, listen, now, we're going to be sweating this Chiefs game now. Like, it's early, but chiefs are up. Like, their offense looks like they're chugging, man. And that's the problem. Like, this cowboy defense cannot stop anything. And you get Mahomes on turf in a game like this

where they're starting to cook and start to chug a little bit with health. It's concerning. But as for the game tonight, it's Ravens minus seven and a half. It's a goofy line. I don't like it. I don't love the feeling of it. But I'm sure you have some tremendous information. So please supply us.

Where does your head go first with Ravens Bengals tonight? Yeah, I mean, Well, you just look at what our process has been over the course of the year, and it's been pretty successful, Hayes. I mean, short week, divisional game, big number. Typically, that screams. You take the dog. But I think we've got to throw all that out the window for this one, fellas.

I really do. I think we've got to throw it all out the window. I was reading an article today. The Cincinnati Bengals, statistically, have had the worst defense in NFL history, not just this season, but in NFL history in terms of DVOA. It has been atrociously bad. They're giving up 32 points per game. They go up like six and a half yards per play.

It has not been great for Lamar in this offense lately. You know, they have not really looked at the MVP self, Lamar. But I think this is a get-right game. That's the thing for me. This is a get-right game. I think they put up 35 to 40 points potentially, and I just don't see Joe Burrow going out there and putting up 3.30, Luke. I mean, the guys have played football in two months.

He doesn't have T. Higgins. I think that that offensive line, it's terrible, it's trash, it has been, it always will be. I think that that defense, which has been humming lately, they've given up an average of 13 points in their last five games. They'll stifle that offense, and I think they'll be able to put up enough points themselves. So I think seven to half, it's a bit of a goofy number. It seems like the books are trying to get you to bite on the Bengals as dogs, but we're not doing that. I think we should lay the points here, fellas, and take the Ravens. and fly with the flock

Wow Pretty compelling I'm all in with that one You know Al's brother Here's what I'm worried about Like is Lamar Jackson still that guy Like you look at He's not using the legs like he used to

He's career low rushing yards per game I mean this is yeah he's You know he's coming off of you know finishing second in the MVP voting But he hasn't seen to me To my eye As the same dominant force No

Well, he hasn't, to be completely fair. You look at the rushing totals in general, and they're quite low. I think you ran for like 10 yards or something like that a couple weeks ago. But like I said, this is the time for this offense to get right. He has dealt with injuries all season long, so he's clearly playing through things, whether it's an ankle or hamshy. He's playing through some stuff that's definitely held him back from being his MVP self. But, look, Derek Henry is still Derek Henry.

They still have weapons out there. When this defense is as bad as it is, there's no Troy Hendrickson either to put pressure on these. guys he should be able to sit back in the pocket make some passes they should be able to run the football down the throats of his team and still be able to put up numbers without him looking like an MVP yeah king henry i think is he's starting to like he gets alive man as you get later in the season is cold it is right now exactly cold it is outside love it he's coming love it winter is coming and he's a white walker he absolutely is and he's ready for it and listen this is a big weekend it's a pivotal swing the steel has got the bills on sunday

And, you know, the Steelers are falling off. The Ravens have a chance to take a kind of a strangle hole in the AFC North. And I tend to agree with what you're saying. This line is trying to sneak people into taking the points here. And I think Lamar gets going. I think this defense holds Borough and company just, you know, some reasonable stats and reasonable numbers. I think we're locking in the Ravens tonight. It's a big number, but it's at home Thursday night, primetime.

Ravens. Ravens. Okay. HBO's on the Ravens. What's the flock? He feels sick about it. Pais, I know you, you feel sick about it, dude. Listen, a short week, divisional game, big number.

It goes against a lot of my instincts, but I like where my partner's heads are at. I like where both of my partners are at right now. When a team is as bad as a Cincinnati Bengals have been, you kind of got to throw logic out the window and just sit there and say, this is a crap team, and I don't want to be on them tonight. And that's kind of where we're at with the Cincinnati Bengals.

And look, this team has a lot to prove the Baltimore Ravens. I was on the morning show today, and we're talking with Edwarder, and he said, I don't think they're a Super Bowl contender anymore. They can go out, make a statement tonight, and if they can do that, blow this team out. People will be talking about them being contenders in the AFC again. Okay. I like that. All right, Luke, I don't know where noodles is.

He's somewhere in the Midwest right now. I hope you've chatted with him because you're on the Eagles best. He's recruiting. We're bringing in another personality or bringing in another teammate. Okay. I like that idea. We've got options. Well, Eagles minus seven against the Bears tomorrow.

You guys are on this game, kickoff at three, so it's prior to us getting on the air tomorrow. Go ahead. Make your pick. It's minus seven? I thought it was six and a half. You sure about that? Doogie just locked it in. That's seven.

Officially locked. I'm going on the phone right now to check this. Go ahead. That's a key number. Go ahead. That's a key number. Now you're stalling for that line to move. We're taking the Eagles.

We're taking the Eagles, minus seven. A lot of turmoil in Philly. A lot of turmoil in Philly. I like the response. Oh, that's all right. Listen, I like the response. I like the response after a bad week last week. Kind of a get-right moment.

I also think Caleb Williams is due for some turnovers. Oh, there's a nice little fourth-down conversion for you guys. Yeah. I love this cowboy offense, man. A lot of, yeah, and this is the thing. Last week, Vic Fangio's defense, you guys know a big Vic Fangio guy, really held Dallas at Bay until they were on the field forever. You know, and this cowboy offense is special.

Caleb Williams is bound to make some mistakes. I think the Eagles get right here. I like them to cover the spread. I think they get after them. Okay. You're locking in Eagles minus seven tomorrow. Okay. It's a big spread, man.

There's a lot of weird mojo in Philly right now. Like, really weird mojo. I agree. It's a big statement game. Chicago, too. And the second half. Yeah, well, and now there's internal like rumors that guys internally are kind of hating on Jalen Hertz or

questioning where he's at the way he's playing. So it's got the chance for him to shut a lot of people up, but this is the biggest game that Bears have played in a decade or close to it. In the last four or five years for sure. Like this is a big, meaningful, like you have prime time, you're under the lights, the whole country,

the whole world's watching you type game. Ben Johnson can make a statement. Caleb Williams can make a statement that defense can't tomorrow. I don't mind taking seven points tomorrow. I got to be honest. I think the Eagles will win, but I see 24, 21 Eagles. I love getting points tomorrow. Yeah, he's got to worry about tonight.

You got to worry about tonight. That's what I would say. We'll be fine. I think the Cowboys cover here, backdoor, and I love, love Ravens Big tonight. You better hope they keep pace, boys. You better hope the Dach don't have another pick. I love this. You better hope, pace.

Aubrey stepping up, field goals, very smart. Schottenheimer, very conservative. Love that play. Love that play. All right. All right, Luke. Alice Brother, great seeing you. Al's brother, as always.

Absolutely great seeing you. Luke, good luck with noodles. Good luck with noodles, son. You guys need to start picking some winners. All right, boys. We'll catch you guys. We will. There they are.

Live with the flock. Alice brother, we're flying with the flock. It's beginning to sound a lot like Christmas. With Iheart the holidays. Non-stop Christmas music 24-7. all your festive favorites unwrap the magic of the season one song at a time

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