Rahimi, Harris & Grote Show - Kickoff with Boomer Esiason and Mike Valenti for Week 2 in the NFL | 'Kickoff with Boomer and Valenti'

Episode Date: September 18, 2026

Kickoff with Boomer Esiason and Mike Valenti: Week 1 reaction, Josh Allen's MVP performances, and Week 2 picks

At QVC, shopping is more than just checking out. It's discovering something new every day. Start with today's special value. Then explore exciting finds across the brands and categories you love. From beauty and fashion to home, culinary, and outdoor living. Shop now at QVC.com. I'm for... We're Osceycin and Mike Valenti.

And we are back. It is week two in the National Football League kickoff with Boomer and Valeni. Booms, what's going on, buddy? You know, it's so great to see you, Mike, again, and be back on the show with you. And unfortunately, we had some technical difficulties last week, not your fault or my fault. We're just talent. We just show up. We do a show.

And we expect the people behind us to make us look better than we really are. So I don't know how you felt about last week, but I was frustrated. I missed you. I was undefeited. So it worked out perfect. No, look, we got a lot of good stuff to get to. So let's just, let's dive in, let's party. Let's get to the rundown.

The NFL run down. Start out with Thursday night football. The bill's dropped a bomb on the Lions. I mean, the score looks better than it really was, but Boomer, here's two things. You take it where you want to go. One, the Lions defense is a complete bleep show. I mean, the last six quarters,

they've given up 71 points, a thousand yards, basically. And by, I hear, how about this for third downs? opponents are 16 of their last 20 in regulation on third and fourth down. For the bills, here's the flip side. It's enjoyable. It's fun. Josh Allen's incredible. But it's more of the same.

It's a defense that just wants to play too high, soft shell. I don't know. What do you make of it? Because I think the Lions are good. I don't think they're Super Bowl good. And the bills, it's always going to come back to. Is that defense going to get a big stop for Josh Allen? You know, it's oddly enough on Fandall earlier in the year,

I picked the lions and the bills to be in the Super Bowl just because I did want to pick the Rams. I really do believe in the bills, and Josh Allen is playing amazing football these last two weeks. The game against Houston and the number one defense or number two defense in football last year was quite amazing, Mike. And he just looks like Superman. He looks like he is completely unstoppable. And listening to Aidan Hutchinson, talk about Josh from Thursday Night Football, says he's impossible to stop. I mean, you think you got him. And he's so big and he's so strong and so quick.

that he'll get away from you. And in past, the running was frenetic. Now the running, it has been the last couple years. It's more when he wants the run, when he feels like he can take off and make, you know, either score a touchdown or get a key first down. As far as the Lions are concerned, I think both of these defenses, by the way, are not very good. I think there's a much better pass rush in Buffalo than there is in Detroit. But when I look at the Lions and I look at their schedule,

I still look at one of the easiest strength of schedules going forward for the rest of the season. and that's exactly what propelled the Patriots to the Super Bowl last year. So I'm not off of them by any stretch of the imagination. And look, their defense coordinator has got to get his act together. They look confused, much like the Cowboys did on Sunday night against the Giants. So, yeah, the Lions have defensive problems for sure, but they're going to be able to score with anybody. Yeah, that's spot on. Look, they need Kirby Joseph back.

I don't know if Kirby's ever going to play again. And Brian Branches off of torn Achilles. So I don't know what I can expect. But they'll get fat and happy off some bad teams. but reality it's, I think the NFC North's best division in football, but we'll have all year to bicker about that. Let's go back for a second. I want to go to that debacle in Australia.

A, I know as a former player, you don't agree with some of this stuff. I think it's absurd to put a team on a 19-hour flight to go play a football game. I'll leave it alone. But when you look at the Rams, I know it's a super team. I know they're supposed to just cruise, boom,

they got bodied. Now Miles Garrett's on the IR. You know, Aaron Donald is not going to be this. I love the people who think Aaron Donald's coming back to give him 65 snaps a week like it's 2019. But where do you stand with the Rams after that? Because the Niners just dummied him. Well, people don't realize that

Shaw McVeigh wanted to play the 49ers in Australia. That was a Rams home game. And the reason for that, he didn't want to play the 49ers in SoFi because the 49er fans take over SoFi Stadium. And it's like an away game for the Rams. So going 48 hours before the game, I think, is ridiculous. I would have hated to do that if I were a play. And I think the 49ers obviously did it the right way.

They went a week before they got adjusted. Now the interesting thing will see how they readjust as they get ready to play. The Dolphins, I mean a layup on Sunday, for God's sake. But the Rams are still going to be a good team. I still think that they have an offense that could put up a lot of points, even though they did not do that against a healthy San Francisco defense with Fred Warner on the field, just being a menace to everybody. But I do think that the Rams are still going to be in the mix here.

The thing I worry about for the Giants this Monday night, this coming Monday night, is their secondary against the Rams offense that didn't play well at all in week one. So in week two, this is one of those teams that have had a hard practice all week. They've been listening to how badly they played against the 49ers. I would not expect a total, you know, bounce back performance from them on Monday night against the Giants. All right, you baited me into it. I was going to wait and save the, the, the, the, requisite amount of G-Men talk, but I got to tell you, look, and it's, you know me. I'm,

passionate about it, but like, I don't get stupid. I know what reality is, but Boomer, that felt different. That felt, for the first time in 15 years, New York Giants football had an identity. It had John Harbaugh written all over it. It was funny. I was watching the game with my dad, and I told them all off-season. He's like, you've made such a big deal about this fullback. I go, you don't understand. Patrick Ricard is a destroyer. You're going to loved this guy. Boom. They were physical.

And they just played a brand of football that I think everyone in New York has been dying for. I loved it. I thought it was an A-plus debut. I was super, super impressed. 100% Harbaugh effect. And this is why you spend $100 million to go out and get a guy like John Harbaugh. He completely can change the culture of the team, changed the way everybody goes about

their business, took them away for 13 days in West Virginia. They worked on a lot of different things. and one of those things was team building, and he also wants a physical team. When he was with the Baltimore Ravens Mike, I don't know how many times you saw them up close and personal, but when I did their games, they were usually the biggest team in football.

And now when I look at the Giants, I look at an offensive line that's mammoth. I look at a fullback that's mammoth. I look at a tight end and Isaiah likely who can actually catch the ball and make a play after the catch, as opposed to dropping a ball, which most tight ends for the Giants have been doing the last 10 years.

And I finally see a quarterback, and I'm not saying he reminds me of me, but what it reminds me of when I think of myself as a young quarterback, it was the second year where the light went on for me, where I started to really understand what was going on. And with Matt Nagy and Greg Roman as co-offensive coordinators, however you want to look at this, it's really good for Jackson Dart because he's a mobile quarterback,

so they'll call mobile plays. They're going to bring in some of that Kansas City offense to see some of the stuff that Andy Reid does with Patrick Mahomes. So we saw some of that stuff with, Jackson Dart. The one thing I will say about the Giants, they got a little bit lucky. You know, George Pickens drops a touchdown pass, and they fumbled the ball four times, and they recovered three of them. So the Giants look great. They're physical. They're more buttoned up. And I think they now do expect to win, but I still think Monday night's going to be

really tough for them as the Rams are going to have a bounce back performance. Also, you and I slandered Abdul Carter a bunch last year. He played really well. I know it doesn't show up in the box score, but when you watch the game, Carter multiple times immediately beating his man in the backfield, that quickness, that that freakish athletic ability. It just, it was very nice. All right. For a day, let me be happy. I'm sure it'll be plenty of days. I'm not. Well, last year, he should have gotten a criticism this year. Yeah. Other than the offseason where he took on Jackson Dart introducing Donald Trump, which was ridiculous to do it on social media, what really was a quiet offseason and

preseason for him turned into his first game showing great effort. And that's what the Giants want to see from him. You know I'm a Ben Johnson truther, so I can't let it go. You don't just casually drop 60 in an opener. But Boomer, he said it. We're going to lead the league in points. We're going to be the best offense ever. And look, you and I have watched it in real time doing this show together. Caleb Williams, by the end of this year is going to be a top five quarterback. Like the bears are, here's what they remind me of, the Mike Martz Rams, kind of, that that greatest show on turf deal. Like they know they're going to have to outpace people.

And I know the turnover margin they enjoyed last year, it won't be the same. But Boomer, that offense was just unbelievable to watch. They did everything right. And Caleb, he'll give you a Patrick Mahomes throw to Cole Commet. He'll give you a Josh Allen scramble for 26 for a touchdown. Really impressed on open. You know, Josh Allen, I was telling you when he runs,

he runs with purpose as opposed to being a frenetic runner. I still think, you know, Cal Williams is a little frenetic in his running. He gets a little bit quick and he runs out of the pocket a little bit quicker than I would like. But if you're going to put up 59 points, there's really not much to complain about. I will say that karma is a bitch in the NFL, Mike. And you start talking about, you know, we're going to score this many points. We wanted to score over 60 points and we should do this. You know, as much as I love Ben Johnson and the psycho nature of him,

I also know that everybody else in a league is going to hate him. and everybody is going to want to have their best game against him. So, yeah, you and I both are Ben Johnson truthers, and my buddy Frank Reich when he was out of the league for a couple of years, told me he thought the best offensive play caller and designer, wasn't Kyle Shanahan, wasn't Andy Reed, it was actually Ben Johnson. So that's starting to show itself with a great young quarterback

and the perfect coach for the quarterback that is now finally going to set all the records in Chicago history. Let me give you a two for one here. You pick what direction you want to go. I thought there were two teams that basically launched themselves ass first down a flight of stairs in the opener. The Broncos. What? And then the Packer.

Yeah. Guys. Guys. Anyone awake? Have you played Brian Flores before? My God. Broncos or Packers? Bigger disaster in your mind?

You know what? I still think the Broncos, I mean, they had their asses handed to them. And they got beat up pretty good. And they had one of the best defenses in, football last year and Sean Payton was really disappointed in that performance and he was also disappointed in the performance of Bo Nix and you start out with an interception on the road in a place like Arrowhead with Patrick Mahomes back on the field. You are already losing the game before the game barely just gets started. So I think that's a bounce back team this week. I really think that Bo Nix is

under the pressure, under the gun. I'm not so sure that Sean Payton is a total believer just yet. You know, he had Drew Brees for all those years, and he coaches his quarterbacks hard. And I talked to Drew this offseason, and I asked him if he had spoken to Bo Nix about being coached by Sean Payton. And he goes, yeah, I did actually did talk to him about it and said, don't take anything personally. He's just trying to get the best out of you. Yeah. And listen, from the Packer perspective, you know what I'm about to do. It's our first edition of coaching malpractice of 2006.

I'm done with LaFleur. I'm done. I'm done with the over-manicured goatee. I do appreciate, you know, someone taking care of some facial hair here as a man with a beard. But the point is, you can't take points off the board when it's not even a first down. What are you doing? What on earth are you doing? I just, I can't.

I can't take this guy now. And the Packers late in games, boom, the Packers collapse like it's their job. Yeah, I know. So let me tell you, it's analytics. It's people in the coach's ears saying, This is what we have to do. This is what we should do. It's changed the game completely from the game that I played.

And every week we sit here. We talk about coaching malpractice. Don't go for it. Do go for it. You should have went for it. You didn't go for it. And this is one of those situations. I feel bad for Mac because I like them as a coach.

I really do. And I like their quarterback. And I think this week when they come to play the Jets, it's going to be very interesting because it's supposed to be a very wet day on Sunday at the Meadowlands. And I think that plays in the Jets hands. And the reason I say that is no Josh Jacobs or Green Bay. The Green Bay offensive line is beat up.

They got shown up last week against Minnesota. And they are an explosive offense. And the Jets here over the next three weeks have to play the NFC North, as you were just pointing out, three of the best offenses in football. So we'll find out really quickly as to whether or not the superpowers for Aaron Glenn are the ability to call defenses, especially against the explosive offense like the Green Bay Packers. But I'm not going to kill Matt LaFleford just. yet. I know everybody's jumping down

his throat and everybody thinks it's his fault. Ultimately, it comes back to the players either, you know, making the play or handling a blitz. And sometimes Jordan Love just doesn't see the blitz, which really frustrates me because he should be better than that. Well, I'll tell you what killed him

too. And I'll make a point on analytics. The Green Bay running backs did not do their job in past protection. Now, I understand, Flora's going to make a lot of people look bad. But if your backs are not dialed in on who they need to pick up and they're mugging the line of scrimm, I mean, man, you had a couple of construction barrels out there. The other note is, here's my problem with the analytics.

I'm not anti-math, but analytics don't take into account who you're playing, injuries, you know, what really is happening? They are men, they're not machines. I'm facing Carson Wentz, right? I'm not facing the 1989-49ers. You have to take the points to go up eight, and it's not a first down. It's bad enough if I take the points. off the board and I get first in 10. You took points off the board for fourth down when you can't crush a grape and a food fight up front? You've got to be kidding me.

That's insane. Yeah, you know what? I bet you every player in the sideline was let's go for it, you know, but never listen to the players. You got to, this is why you hire coaches, Mike. This is why you hire guys like John Harbaugh, because you're hiring them for their experience and understanding the flow of the game,

the feel of the game. And I think what I, if I had to really put my Matla floor, cap on. I was thinking that he was thinking about his team showing them that he believes in them. And unfortunately, they didn't come through. And it ended up costing them the game in the long run. Rami, I don't know how much time I got here, but I'd love to bring up this because we have crushed teams like Cleveland, Miami. Can we enter someone new into the chat that might be worse than all of them? Can we please discuss Tennessee Titans? please like I look I'll leave it to you you're the quarterback whisper I'm 10 out of 10 concern with cam Ward that is a disaster in Tennessee that offense is flat you remember when he

said we asked last year do you remember that yeah I think that's it's yeah yeah well I got to tell you watching him throw the ball into the ground watching him miss wide open wide receivers watching the inaccuracy those are all things that would concern me I know he's a young quarterback second year, second offense now. I often tell you how these quarterbacks struggle in situations like that. I don't think there's a lot of confidence in him down in Tennessee from his teammates or his coaching staff. I know the fans have seen enough. I think the fans are ready to draft Archmanning tomorrow if they could. But this week they're going to have another tough game. Philadelphia's

coming to town. I wouldn't be surprised if he struggles again this weekend. If he does, the noise is going to get louder and louder around him and Rob Salah and Brian Dable. Big time. All right, listen, we got a lot more to get to. We're going to get to some picks. Yes, we're going to pick every game against my will, but we'll do it. We also have a hell of a good Monday night game. And then we got some week one overreactions where Boomer gets to make fun of these.

But a couple, I know he will agree with. So sit back, relax, we got all your football covered. This is kickoff with Boomer and Valenti. I'm pretty confident talking into a mic. Hey, I'm doing it right now. But home projects, I second guess everything. Is that noise normal? is that water damage? Who do I even call? That's where Thumbtack comes in. Just upload a photo or

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culinary, and outdoor living. Shop now at QVC.com. Off with Boomer and Valenti. All right, we are back. Kickoff with Boomer and Valenti. Great to have you guys with us. Let's get to the picks. And I'm telling you right now, A,

picking every game is a terrible. terrible idea. I don't know who to blame. Second of all, this is a very difficult week two. I had big opinions in week one, but Boomer, buckle up because you know the deal. You're going to have a lot of teams 0-1, and O'N-2 is kind of

a death sentence on your season. It is, and there are a lot of teams in this situation that are going to have to bounce back. When you look at those teams, you're thinking about the Patriots, you're thinking about the Packers, you're thinking about, you know, the Rams. These are teams that their coaches are going to be all over them,

going into these games. So they're all expecting bounce back performances. And I think for the most part, I think you and I probably are too. Yeah. Well, let's get to it. Picks of the week. All right, game one, Eagles laying seven and a half. They travel to the aforementioned abomination that is the Titans.

Oh, you and I just talked about the Titans, how awful they are. The Eagles squeaked by last week against the commanders. You know, I could see Seekuan Barclay gone for 150 in this game. I don't think the titans squawk. score, but two touchdowns. I don't even think they can score two touchdowns. So, you know, give me the Eagles. I'll lay the points. I hate laying this many points on the road, but it's the Eagles. They're still championship caliber team, and I think that they'll dominate the Titans.

This violates every principle laying seven and a half on the road in the NFL, but I think the Titans might be that bad. I'll go with the Eagles. Number two, we go Pat's laying five and a half. Now they're hosting the Steelers. You know, the Steelers weren't all that impressive last week. And the one thing about watching the Steelers play, under previous quarterbacks and previous coaches, they haven't had a lot of coaches, they've always been a run first team, they've been a physical team. Now with Aaron Rogers last year and Aaron Rogers this year, every time he sees press coverage, he just wants to throw back shoulder throws. And they get away from the running game.

So I think the Patriots have had a long 10 days. They've heard it from their coaching staff. They've heard it from their fans. And nobody's under more pressure in this game than Drake. May. I think he does have a bounce back game, even though the Steelers defense is very good. And T.J. Watts off to a great start. I think that they'll win the game. I think it's going to be a low scoring game, but I could see like a 2417 game here. I hated the Steelers performance last week. I really did because Cooper Rush was egregiously bad. But again, like Patriots bounce back,

long rest at home. I know there's no AJ Brown. I know Romeo Dobbs got to be better. I'm in a free roll with the Pats one time. I'll lay the five and a half. This next one's super interesting, man. Bears laying four and a half hosting the Vikings. Vikings are getting a lot of respect now. This opened at three, and clearly you know what side the money's on. Where are you at here? That's exactly right.

You know, it's going to be Carson once again, it looks like, for the Vikings. I know Ben Johnson took a look at that film from last week and saw the Vikings blitzing on 90% of the past plays of the Green Bay Packers. I can't imagine Brian Flores is going to do that again. Ben Johnson will be ready for him. he'll be looking for the blitz he'll have something dialed up for the blitz I do like the bears here

I think the bears really now are rocking and roll and I think their fans believe in them I think their fans believe in their quarterback as you were talking about and like I said Ben Johnson wants to prove a point so I'm going to take the bears and I'm going to lay the four and a half I'm terrified because that

bear defense and look I understand you can win a Super Bowl playing this way we watch the Rams do it you know 20 plus years ago where you just forced turnovers. That's your version of stops. Oh, God. All right.

I'll go with you, but man, I should take the Vikings. I know what I should do. You've led me down a bad path. Shame on you. You're going to blame me. I love that. Here's your rat bleep line of the week. You and I always enjoy this.

This is one where you go, oh, no. Like, you know what to do here, and I don't want to do it. Panthers lay in two and a half at Atlanta. I'm taking Bryce Young. I'm taking Bryce Young, baby. Do you see, actually, if you looked at the game last week, I could make an argument that he kind of outplayed Cal Williams. I mean, he played really good. He played great.

Yeah, I mean, and their offense put up a lot of points. I mean, is this Cooper Rush? Is this Jack Strand? Is this Tuatong of I-a-Lago? Is this Michael Penn. I mean, I'm laying at two-and-a-half, and I'm taking to Visiting Panthers. Also, you got a shout out. And I know Tedaroa McMillan is the most talented receiver they have.

Jalen Coker is really coming on. You got to just, they have weapons there, and they have a good running game. I just, why is it two and a half? I'll take the Panthers. Again, you're a bad influence. You're not going to sway me on this one. You're going to love this. Packers lay in three and a half as they travel and MetLife to take on the undefeated New York Jets.

All right, on WFAA and on Friday, I had to make my picks. And one of my picks of the week were the Jets over the Packers. I love what my buddy Frank Reich is done with the offense of the New York Jets. I'm telling you, the Jets went from remedial reading class last year on offense to now a PhD, calling plays, designing plays, putting five tight ends on the field. I mean, having all these different formation and personnel groups, it's going to be messy here on Sunday. So I think that's advantageous to the Jets to slow down the Green Bay Packer high-flying offense, and the Packers really have no running game to speak of.

I love Breece Hall and Brown and Allen in this game. I'm going to take the points at home and I'm going to pick the Jets. I'm proud of you. Oh, thank you. I just want you to know that. I'm proud of you. That means a lot.

Jets. Give me the points. Give me a low scoring game. I'm telling, oh, and by the way, how about Gino Smith, who's basically R.H? He hit almost 21 miles an hour on a scramble. Would they give him a jet pack? I don't know.

Speak for yourself. I'm twice as old as he is. I mean, listen, 21 miles an hour. My goodness. All right, Ravens, laying eight and a half. they take on the Saints. You know what to do here. Yeah, I'm taking the Saints here. And I'm taking the Saints because I think their defense is underrated,

even though last week they gave up a lot of points to Detroit on the road. They get a pretty good defense. And I know that Jesse Minter and his Ravens were very impressive in Indianapolis last week. Lamar Jackson got off to a great start. Derek Henry's off to a great start. I don't know about the health of Zay Flowers as we speak right now, but he was a big part of that offense last week for the Colts. I'm going to have to take the Saints.

I think Tyler Shuck is in his second year, much like Drake May is, or I should say like Caleb Williams, and I really do like Tyler Shuck. I love his toughness. I love his ability to come back from mistakes, and I think that they'll keep this game within a touchdown. Look, they played really well in the first half. They basically shut the Lions out.

They got screwed on that fumble that's not a fumble because Jared Goff had loving his heart and meant the ball to go forward thing. Yeah, second half, let's remember something. Their offense turned the ball over twice, put the St. Defense in bad position. I thought the Saints played really well defensively, and Shuck, once he got it rolling,

they got sneaky weapons. Joanne Johnson, Velaide, Trey Lance's kid brother, who they drafted, and obviously Chris Alave. So give me the Saints, give me the points. Texans laying two and a half against the Bengals. I did this one, flip a coin. This one puzzles me. It's a tough one, and I know that Joe Burrow had back spasms this week in practice, but he's going to play in this game. Now, he's different than Josh Allen. Josh Allen tore through the Houston Texans defense, much like he tore through the Lions defense. You know, he's a runner and then he's a playmaker, and he makes explosive plays. To me, I think Texans defense was destroyed last week, and they had a long week of practice. And they knew what they have coming in this week with Joe Burrow and Jamar Chase and T. Higgins.

and that bingo offense, but I'm not sold on the bingo defense just yet. I don't know how you felt about C.J. Strout's performance last week. I thought it was really good. If he could have only led his team to victory with that last series, that would have put a lot of doubts behind him. So this week, I think he has a chance to do something special against the bingo defense because I'm not sold on them. I'm going to take the Texans, and I'll lay the two and a half.

Texans for me. Demico Ryan's not going to allow the defense to play that way again. All right, Bucks lane 8-F against the Browns. We can speed run this one. Anyone against the Browns, I'm just taking them. Bucks lay the 8-F. Especially Baker Mayfield. They're a train wreck. Yes.

Uh-huh. Yeah. I think this could be Deshaun Watson's last game. Great. Superb. Broncos laying three and a half hosts in the Jags. Tough one. Jags are a pretty good team, Mike.

You know, their defense is pretty damn good. I just think, again, one of these bounceback teams, we were talking about earlier in the previous segment. For me, the Broncos are a team that still believes that they are playoff caliber. Sean Payton will be so hard on them this week. You know, usually coming off of a loss within a division on the road where you are embarrassed on national television, you're going to come back and you're going to be like at a fever pitch as a football team in front of your home crowd. I'll take the Broncos and lay the points.

Yeah, bounce back. It's a lot of what you said. It's just, look, the Broncos season could be over before it starts. You don't win this game. the three and a half is kind of uncomfortable, but they've just, they played so poorly. Chargers laying six and a half hosting the Raiders. Come on. Don't disappoint me here.

Now, didn't we have games where we could throw out a game or two from last year? Yeah. I'd like to throw this game out. I wouldn't want this game. But I do believe Justin Herbert throws for 400 yards and five touchdowns in this game. No. No, no, no, no, no. Listen, I know the Raiders played the dolphins, but that offensive line, they spent money.

Hold on, and they spent a lot of Moulin defense. Who to hell or to charge? I'm angry at the Chargers. This is a spite pick because they were going to be my darling. Remember last year when you had to listen to me early in the year? I go to Patriots. They might just go all the way. That was supposed to be to Chargers.

And what happens when I believed in Jim Harbaal? Look what you did to me. Give me the Raiders in the six and a half. It's a divisional game, damn it. Listen, I know this one. By the way, just so you know, I know it runs deeper than just that. It's like Michigan State Michigan stuff. I know it for a fact.

I picked the Chargers to win the West. I picked them to win the West. Look what you did to me. Yeah, but I'm telling you your reaction to it this year now that I see it. It goes so much deeper than just the surface of the NFL. I know. It's very personal. Seahawks lay in four and a half.

They travel to the surprising one in O'Card. A great for Michael Flore who got fired here at this, is the Jets' offensive coordinator. You know, it's amazing how many guys go on from the Jets to become something of a reasonable success. Jacoby Preset played great. He's underpaid. Give him more money. He played great last week, and I love the way the Cardinals did play.

But I think a lot of that also had to do with, like, the sleepwalking chargers. A little bit different this week. I'm going to stay with the cards. And the reason I'm going to stay with the cards is because Drew Locke is playing. If Sam Darnal were playing, I would pick. the Seattle Seahawks boat may have been up to seven points if Sam Darnel was playing. Yeah, it's a home divisional dog against the backup quarterback. And look, the Cardinals, give them credit.

Both sides of the ball, man. They had a plan. It wasn't fake. I mean, their defense dictated terms to the Chargers. So, yeah, give me the cards, give me to points. Niners laying 13 and a half against the Dolphins. I want to remind you, it's week two. Oh, my God, 13 and a half.

The Dolphins are paying more money to people not on their roster than people on their roster. I will take the San Francisco 49ers and Nick Bosa and Fred Warner. When that defense is healthy and those guys are on the field, they are a completely different team. Now, I know that a couple of injuries and a couple big injuries for that matter, but George Kittle looked like he's back. Debo Samuel looks so happy and back in that uniform. I'll take the 49ers. I'll lay the 13 and a half.

The dolphins are just terrible. Yeah, everything he said, Niners. Cowboys laying four and a half against the commanders. I'm going to take the commanders here. I think they keep it close. I did not like the cowboy defense. They were completely confused. Now, they forced turnovers last week,

but they just couldn't follow through and get all the turnovers. They forced four fumbles. They only got one in return. I do worry about Jaden Daniels forcing things against this defense, but that defense was completely lost against the Giants on Sunday night. So I'll take the points. It's close. I think it's a high-scoring game.

Plus, the commander has only lost to two. to the Eagles on the road in Philadelphia last week. I think they'll keep it close here. I'm going to take Cowboys. I think they got caught off guard. I don't know that they totally expected the Giants to essentially be Ravens East. I'm very down on the commanders this year. So I'm going to stick with kind of that preseason.

I just, I don't like anything about the commanders. Give me the Cowboys one time. I'm willing to look stupid. Chiefs laying six and a half as they take on the whatever to hell the cults are. How great was Kenneth Walker? how great was he against the Broncos. And, you know, if you look at these games, Mike, this past week and week one, most of the older coaches that have been around for a while that are,

and even John Harbaugh is trying to do this with the Giants, everybody's trying to run the football, everybody's trying to become more physical than the teams that they're playing, and the way they're doing it is by running the ball. And the way that the Chiefs ran the ball against the Broncos and shoved it down near throat was actually a thing of beauty from an offensive perspective

when you're looking at stuff like that. The way the Giants ate up the last five minutes and 12 seconds against the Cowboys just smashing it down near throats. It was beautiful. Yeah, it's beautiful. That's what you want. So I think that's the same thing here.

You know, the Colts with Daniel Jones, it just doesn't match up to me against Patrick Mahomes, who looks like he's 100% healthy and Kenneth Walker running the ball away you did. I'll take the chiefs and lay the points. Buddy, the Colts have won one game in the continental United States since they traded for Suss Gardner. Like it's going to get hot in a hurry.

I can see the Colts being the first team to fire a coach. And look, the Chiefs, they paid the freight for K-9. He's phenomenal. But don't sleep, that rookie day got that Emmett Johnson kid looked pretty good too. That's going to help Mahomes so much to just be able to turn around, hand the damn ball off, and know you're getting more than the Pacheco experience of 3.7 of carry. Give me to Chiefs, laid a point. All right, we got best of the best coming up.

We've got overreactions and Boomer gets to play teacher. All of that and more coming up next. This is kickoff with Boomer and Valenti. The wait is over. Football is here and so is Draft Kings. Draft Kings is now live in all 50 states, one app, every sport nationwide. New Draft Kings customers sign up with code 2400,

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It's kickoff with Boomer and Valenti. All right, we are back last segment of the week. We've got best of the best coming up. We'll get to overreactions or truth, but let's start with it. It is the game of the week. For one week, my father was allowed to be happy. The New York football giants are 1-0.

The Rams are 7.5. favorites as they welcome in the G-Men. Look, Boomer, here's the backdrop to me. Every game in the NFL is important. That's why people are addicted to this sport. But this is a massive game both ways. This isn't just about a Rams bounce back and the Giants are, you know, house money.

If the Giants were able to do this, they catapult themselves to an entirely different conversation. So I think it's massively important for both. But you're very bullish on the Rams bouncing back. a few reasons why here, because they looked like dog water. Well, I think the travel to Australia, they did the wrong thing. Whatever their

sports science, people told them it was wrong. They looked like they were sleepwalking out in Australia and you could say whatever you want about this team being overrated. I don't think so. I think they are a really good football team and I know Miles Garrett is not playing and I do believe that Aaron Donald will

be playing and he'll probably play 25 plays and he'll still be a disruptive force. He just won't be the disruptive force that he was two years ago. But, you know, ask an offensive lineman playing against that, you know, that guy, and they'll tell you that he's going to be difficult to handle. But I just think on the other side with Matthew Stafford coming off of that game and with the wide receivers that the Rams do have and the secondary that is still suspect for the Giants, to me, leads to a big game, passing game for the Rams. Now, I know the Giants do have pass rushers,

and we were talking about Abdul Carter before and Brian Burns. We know that they give you great effort, and at least they did first week against the Cowboys. Remember it was also, it was kind of a remembrance game too because of 9-11. There was a lot of emotion in that building. And I remind the guys here in New York that the previous 9-11 when Aaron Rogers was here and he ran out with the flag, not only did he blow out his Achilles, but the Jets won the game. They beat the bills. So that emotion played into, I think, the Giants

performance on Sunday night. But I just think that the Rams are going to have a bounce back game here. I don't like the seven and a half points. I'll take the Giants and the seven and a half points. I think the thing that's interesting, too, is the way McVeigh runs his offense, a lot of those slow developing, deep crosses off of really good play action.

That Rams offensive line was not up to task in week one. I would expect it would look a little better, but if it doesn't, look, I didn't think the Giants had the greatest night rushing the passer. And the Cowboys were smart. They got rid of the football. They kept DAC primarily clean.

But I'm interested in the Giants Front Seven. The other way is this. The Giants for the first time, and I know I'm being a little bit hyperbolic, they look like they had an offensive line. Yeah. And, you know, the rookie they drafted out of Miami, Maua was phenomenal. I mean, for a rookie to go into a game, play a position, he doesn't primarily play and essentially be perfect.

no pressures, no sacks, no nonsense. It was unbelievable. I'm just interested to see how much of week one was real and how much was what you're talking about. Well, I'm just telling you, it's real for the Giants because it's the hardball effect. They are more competitive. They expect to win.

They're not going to give in. And that last drive of the game against the Cowboys showed you that. That in past years, if that's Daniel Jones or whoever's playing quarterback, there's a fumble there somewhere or there's a three and out and the other team's going to come back and score a touchdown. Now, I will say, like I said, Cowboys did not play their best game. George Pickens drops a huge touchdown pass. They forced the fumbles on defense. They were confused on defense.

And the Giants took advantage of all of that. And that Patrick Ricard and the Isaiah likely additions on the offense and the fact that Malik neighbors was back on the field, all of a sudden made them look like a real offense. And like I said earlier in the show. year two for Jackson Dart, the light has gone on. But now we'll see how bright that light really is against what many people thought was going to be the NFC representative in Super Bowl. And that may still be the case.

But I think a tough game here, but I can take a 27, 24 type of game. That's why I'm taking the points. Yeah, and I'm not huge in the moral victories, but I'd be okay there. Like, as long as the Giants don't go out West and show their ass, I can buy like, hey, this is going to be decided differently different. So, no, I'm going to take the points. I just, I understand why the Rams

are installed is that big of a favorite, but I'm going to choose to buy a lot of week one from what the Giants did. And yes, the Rams will be better. If the Rams aren't better, you're staring at the 2010 Super Team Eagles. Remember the non-de-awson-debuckle? Yes. All right. So let's, oh, this team will never lose. You're right. They'll never make the playoffs. Let's go to overreaction or truth. I'm going to give you statements off of week one. you have to tell me whether it's a ridiculous overreaction or truth. And if you have to have like a tiebreaker, 51%, 49% scales of justice, you go that route.

You ready? I'm ready. All right. Number one, the Bears will deliver on Ben Johnson's statement. They're going to lead the league in scoring. I agree with that 100%. That guy is a maniac. He wants to make a point.

Their offense is going to be virtually unstoppable. Plus, they're going to have to score a lot of points because I don't think their defense. is going to be that great to keep them in games unless they get those turnovers. Rami, truth or overreaction. I agree with Boomer. That defense is going to be so bad. They're going to have to score 60 points a game. That's an alternate perspective, but it's nonetheless very true.

Colts will be the first team to fire a coach. Wow. You know, I hate firing coaches. I hate firing coaches in week one. Why do you think I put it at the top of the list? Oh, God, Almighty. I'm going to say, well, only reason I would agree with. that is because of what the owner has said prior to the season starting, how she put Chris

Ballard and Shane Steichen on notice. So I guess I would agree with that. It's a baby, Rami. It's a good week for me to agree with Boomer on everything. And yes, I agree with that one too. The same thing. The owner, she said, like, she basically put them on the line. Yeah. And again, that was your home opener? They were morbid. All right. Number, Number three, the New York football giants will make the playoffs. Yes. I don't have that look on your face, boomer. There it is.

I said yes, and I'm saying yes, really, to make you happy and to make my audience in New York happy. I'm playing to the crowd, as they say. When do you pander to your audience? Yeah, but you know what? I love the coach, man. The moment he was let go by Baltimore, I said the Marriss had to go and get him. And Chris Marra got into his car, drove right to John Harbaugh's house.

in Baltimore and offered them $20 million a year. And you don't offer a guy $20 million a year and not expect them to make a playoffs, especially with a talented young second year quarterback. I'm going to say no. I think the first game was more about the Cowboys defense than it was about the Giants' offense. That defense looked like a mess.

And so I think the Giants, it was a little bit of smoke and mirrors. All right. Titans, not the Dolphins, are going to be the worst team of football. They were dreadful on both. sides of the ball, including totally lifeless on offense. Yeah, but could they beat the Colts in a game? You know, I mean, I don't think the dolphins are going to beat Eddie.

I don't know if they could beat Bergen Catholic in the game. They are terrible. Yeah, but I don't think the dolphins can win a game in their division. That's what I'm looking at. I think the dolphins are going to get steamrolled by the teams in their division. I'll still say that the dolphins will end up with the worst record. Rami. question is will they allow Sala Borgonzi and Daibald to make the pick on the next quarterback at the end of this year

because they're going to be picking another quarterback whether it's the worst team or the second worst team they'll be right there Rami I don't think you're wrong I look I'm not rooting against Cam Ward I don't feel any type of way about Cam Ward I just I have seen nothing the Packers will finish last in an ultra competitive NFC North Wow nine and eight were the lions last year in last place right Now you're getting it. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, I could see them, I can definitely see them changing, changing spots.

But let's remember, Micah Parsons is going to come back at about three to four weeks. And if they could just hold on and stay around 500, I'm going to say, no, they will not be last in the NFC North. Robbie? I don't think they're going to be last because I do think at some point we're going to end up seeing nine in a Vikings game because Carson Wentz is bound to get her. Nine? Tyler's already her. Nine? I think the Vikings are going to end up last in that division.

That guy's an absolute space cadet. All right. He is a complete weirdo. Again, another Michigan quarterback, yes. Not my, hey, notice how bad he plays when he doesn't have the other team's plays. Stop it right there. Okay. You stop it right now, mister.

All right. The Patriots will miss the playoffs. Overreaction or truth. That is a overreaction. I still think there are 10 to 11 win teams. team held, their defense held these Seattle Seahawks to 13 points, and that was with three turnovers they got in the fourth quarter from Drake May. I think that Mike Vrable will keep that team together. I like their defense. I like their running game. Their offensive line played

well. I thought that Drake May had a clean pocket for the most part against Seattle, the defending champions. They will make the playoffs. Rami? They're going to make the playoffs. That was an out-of-character game for Drake May. He's going to look much better moving forward. All right. Just a reminder. Let's be clear on something too. The whole premise just so you don't think I'm out of my mind. AFC is brutal. But A.J. Brown is probably gone. Guys, if we're fair about it, we include

the buy week and we include a two-week ramp up. He's probably gone until what, week 10, 11? And you're kind of in that same space. We're like, who the hell am I throwing a ball to here? Yeah. It was something I was thinking about. I'll tell you one thing.

They probably wish they didn't trade Kisham Booty right now. That's for sure. That's fair. K-9, Kenneth Walker, not Jemir Gibbs, will lead the league in rushing. Wow, that is a really good one. I'm going to say the way the Kansas City used K-9, that first game, I got to believe that Andy Reid is just going to keep pounding a ball with him. That's why they went and got him to take some of the pressure off of Patrick Mahomes and let the play-action passing game open some seams down the field.

So Patrick would be more effective than he even was against the Broncos in week one. So I could see that. I could definitely agree with that. I'm going to go the other way because I think neither. Because you know it's only a matter of time before Andy Reid is going to abandon the run. And on the other side, if Detroit's going to keep playing from behind, how is Jemir Gibbs going to lead the league the lead in rushing? I just see it neither. Is it Derek Henry then?

He was incredible. No, no, I like what Rami's doing, though. This is a little bit old school like when it used to be Tiger Woods versus the field or Scotty Schephler versus the field. Rami's taking a field. It's probably a smart play. Odds on my side. That's right. They are. The Saints win the South. Yes, I say yes. I picked them to win the South before the season started.

I'm not going to jump off the bandwagon anytime soon. And by the way, 9 and 8 may win the South. 8 and 9 can possibly win the South. But I do think that Tyler Shuck has shown me enough last year and this year. And as you pointed out earlier in the show, Mike, they do have a plethora of offensive weapons and a defense that's severely underrated. I love the coach. I love the fact that he went for two to try to win the game against the Lions last week. I think they win the South. And that wasn't analytics. That's just common sense.

We're not here playing for a top. That's got football. That's got football. Now, I hated the play call because you basically showed your hand when you did the reverse motion and the whole thing. And it's like you gave Shuck one read. And I know it's two point play, but like, dear God, we got to drop something better than that. Rami, what do you got? I think the bucks with a healthy Baker Mayfield will still win.

the NFC South. All right. This one, hear me before we both, you know, go crazy. So last year, the Patriots opened up their season. They were my darling. They got bodied in Foxborough by the Raiders, and I looked like a complete moron. More of one than I already am.

This year, my darling, the Chargers, decided to show their ass and lose to the Cardinals in week one. The Chargers are this year's Pats, shocking loss or not, they are going to the Super Bowl. This is the year Jim Harbaugh gets it right. No, no way. I just don't see it, man. They always have injuries.

Look, if my quarterback is sitting on a practice field and his girlfriend's rubbing her hands through his hair and everything else like that prior to a practice. I mean, I just can't go with that. Meredith had it right in Rocky. Women weaken the legs. Get her out of here. No more canoodling at practice.

Get her out of here. I need Justin Herbert to be Justin Herbert. We need focus. You're training for the fight against Apollo Creed. No more canoodling. Everybody's going to be blaming Madison Beards. Too bad. She's such nice.

You know who the hell she is. You don't know who she is. You better get to know who she is. Why? She's going to be around a lot. If this team, believe me. I don't care. She's killing Justin Herbert.

You just lost to the Cardinals at home. She better not be around. If they go to the Super Bowl, she is going to be front and center in everything. I could tell you that. All right now. Romney, 10 seconds. How stupid is that of an overreaction? Yeah, that's not happening.

Borough, Allen, Mahomes, Lamar, May, one of those. We'll be in the Super Bowl. Listen, I had to take a shot. It doesn't look good a weekend. We'll see what happens. All right. Week 2's in the books. We'll be back to do it all again next week. All the issues, all your football, some picks,

hopefully some laughs for you guys. And hopefully a 2-0 New York football, team. So we'll see you next week. Same time, same place. This is Kickoff with Boomer and Valenti. It's Kickoff with Boomer and Valenti.