The Herd with Colin Cowherd - 11/24/2020 - Best of The Herd

Episode Date: November 24, 2020

-Bruce Arians got outcoached by Sean McVay-The Rams and Saints are the top two teams in the NFC-The Bucs are like a TV show that needs a 2nd season to get things right-Herd Hierarchy: Colin's top ten teams in the NFL-Kevin Stefanski has done a masterful job with the Browns-Thanksgiving dish QB comparisonsGuest: Nick Wright, FS1's First Things First Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an I-Heart podcast. Guaranteed Human. Another podcast from some SNL, late-night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smygel and friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer, Streeter Seidel, help an a cappella band with their between songs banter.

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84 was big to me. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick a year, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. With our friends, fellow comedians, and favorite authors. Like Mark Lamont Hill on the 80s. 84 was a wild year. It was a wild year.

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Live in Los Angeles, this is The Hurd. Wherever you may be, however you may be listening, Fox Sports Radio, I Heart Radio, F.S.1, it is good to have you in. Nick Wright in 30 minutes, Joy Taylor is joining me. Also, one hour from now, the herd hierarchy. I'm doing the radio show. The TV show from the radio studio because of an abundance of caution. We had a little Fox Sunday stuff.

We had somebody test positive, even though I've tested negative three times a week since then. We're just going to be cautious. I'm going to move over to the radio side today tomorrow yesterday. Joy Taylor, how are you? I'm great. That was a great game last night. Not quite the ending Tom Brady was looking for. No.

Yeah. You know, it's interesting. So, and Joy, I think you and I are like in this regard. I, and it's just, is it DNA? Is it parenting? I don't know. I'm not a stubborn guy. Like, if something doesn't work, I move off it.

Because losing's embarrassing. Nobody likes to lose. In sports, in life, nobody likes to lose. So I don't really get stubborn people that go back to the same old thing when it doesn't work. Is it ego? I don't know what it is. I don't have it in me. I can't explain stuff that I don't embrace.

And so stubborn guy I don't get. I never have. Politically, I'd vote either side. Candidates bad. I'm not in Cub Scouts. I don't wear a hat in a uniform. I'm not 12 years old. I'll go to the other side.

If something's not working, I'll go to the other side. I own me. You don't own me. I'm always trying to be flexible because I want to win. Last night, Sean McVeigh, flexible coach, Bruce Ariens, inflexible coach. an example. So it wasn't a perfect night for the Rams. They went on the road, they could not run the football, and they forced their young quarterback to throw 51 times. That is not ideal in the NFL. On the road, good defense, throw it 51 times. You have no running game. But Sean McVeigh does

something, Ariens does it. Number one, McVeigh always moves the pocket. What's it do? It keeps the defense on their toes. He has a lot of motion and deception. Slows down the defense. Keeps him on their toes. And if the running game's not working and the protection suboptimal, they have a lot of safety valves and dump off plays.

Bruce Ariens, let's do more deep balls. 66 plays by Tampa, six had motion. I mean, at some point, Bruce Ariens, look around the league. put guys in motion. Be deceptive. I know you can't roll the pocket with Brady, but you didn't roll it much with James Winston, who's much more athletic than Brady.

66 plays, six were in motion. And I watched that game last night, my take it was that was a coaching mismatch. Tom Brady was one for nine with two picks on throws over 15 yards. That's not what works for Tom Brady. That's never been what works for Tom Brady. Tom Brady likes to control with highly efficient, high percentage throws.

Bruce Ariens lives on throw it up in the air. And by the way, Tampa came into the game missing their best offensive linemen. So you know you're probably and facing Aaron Donald, knowing you're probably going to get less time to throw. And by the way, there were the makings of a bad game for the Rams. They couldn't run the football. They're on the road. it's Monday night football, you're facing the goat and a good defense, and you ask Goff to throw 51 times. But there were two head coaches.

One had safety valves. Cooper Cup 11 catches. Like I just thought it was a coaching mismatch. Now, it should be noted, Tampa's 7 and 4. There are 11 weeks in. I went this morning and checked. I predicted they would be a wild card team and go 10 and 6. So if you look at their schedule, they'd look like they're actually going to go 11 and 5.

But what would concern me if you're Tampa? If you look at the NFC playoff picture right now, it's a bunch of smart offensive coaches. It's Sean Payton. It's Cliff Kingsbury. It is Sean McVeigh. It is Matt LaFleur. These guys are much more motion, much more deception, much more roll the pocket. It's very much a 2020 NFL game.

And you can blame Tom Brady for all these interceptions. But I went and looked this up this morning. The last, the three previous jobs Bruce Arians had, the starting quarter, had a career high in interceptions. James Winston had 30, Carson Palmer 22, and Andrew Luck 18. And Tom Brady's on pace to have 15 a career high. So that would be four straight quarterbacks who have their career high in interceptions. I'm over no biscuit, no risk it.

I'm over it. Like it's low percentage throws that did not describe the new. England dynasty. It was high percentage throws. McVeigh, high percentage throws. I just, lower percentage throws equals less efficient, equals less consistent.

If you start looking at what Tampa Bay is right now, you don't know. Every week it changes. Why? Because they run so many low percentage offensive plays, and so much of it is dependent on protection and who your opponent is.

So it's again, you can blame Brady for all the picks, but Andrew Luck, Carson, Palmer, James Winston, and Brady are all going to have career highs and picks with Bruce Ariens. And I watch McVeigh, he moves the pocket, he's got a lot of motion, there's constant deception, it keeps the defense on their heels, and if it breaks down for golf, if the protection breaks down, he's got safety valves.

Here's Ariens after the loss. I thought he called a good ballgame. We just got to execute better. You know, when guys are open, we got to hit them, and we can't miss re-coverage. We got to protect a little bit better when we do have guys deep and let him hit that guy instead of have that pressure that costs us the interception. Maybe it's not always the pressure that causes the interception. So I was looking at the standings this morning, and, you know, we're 10, 11 weeks in.

And this is about the time we all kind of know who's really good and who's really bad. And there's a bunch of stuff in the middle that'll sort itself out. But I think there's an understanding in the AFC that Kansas City and the Steelers are the best two teams. And I would not deny that. I think Pittsburgh wishes they could run the football more consistently. But if you look at the AFC playoff picture, I don't think anybody denies this. The Steelers and the Chiefs are the two best teams. But when you go over to the NFC,

playoff picture. The people go, there's a lot of Packers, the Eagles. No. I think we now know who the two best teams are, the Saints and the Rams. And I say that because when I watched the Rams last night, everybody in the

NFC right now, there's an issue. Seattle No Pass Rush struggles in the secondary. Green Bay doesn't play well when it's physical football. Tampa Bay, old school head coach, It's a lot about the matchups inconsistent week-to-week.

Arizona, young, but still feels like they're a draft away from competing defensively. Philadelphia, giants, don't waste my time. The Rams and the Saints are the only two teams in the NFC, like the Steelers and the Chiefs. What's their whole? Both have good special teams. Both have a pass rush. Both have good secondaries. Both have coaches who have gotten to a Super Bowl.

I don't have a coaching issue. I don't have a defense issue. I don't have a back-in secondary issue. I don't have a special team issue. Both have above-average offensive lines. Both can run the football on most Sundays, and if they can't, they can throw the football. The knock on the saint is they don't throw it down the field much.

All right, but they went 13 and 3, 13 and 3 the last two years, and they're now 6'0 with backup quarterbacks. It's not killing them. And the Rams, when Goff doesn't get great protection, he got pretty good protection last night, he can struggle. Welcome to the NFL. That was true of Brady and Peyton Manning in their prime. When I look at the Rams and the Saints and the Chiefs and the Steelers, I don't see a hole. Again, I wish Pittsburgh could run the football more consistently.

I wish Andrew Whitworth was healthy at left tackle, and Goff does need to be comfortable he was last night. the Saints don't throw it downfield as well as I'd like. In Kansas City, they fall into traps a lot falling behind, but the good news is they can always catch up. I mean, they've all got something they could be better at. But you start looking at the other teams like Green Bay. They can't play physical football. Seattle, they can't stop anybody. You know, Baltimore doesn't play well from behind.

I think we have a final four. I think we know who the four best teams in the NFL are right now. And it takes a while to figure it out. And I think most of you agree with the first three and a lot of you disagree with the Rams because the Rams aren't a real popular historic franchise. They weren't popular in St. Louis. I mean, they're the second or third most popular team in Los Angeles. And that's saying something as an NFL franchise.

But I got to tell you something. They draft incredibly well. The receiving core, the coach, the old. line, tight end, running back, secondary. Their line backing core is okay. Everything else, they're good. They can match up with anybody. They're good. That's what I see.

Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern, 9 a.m. Pacific. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal, but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the IHard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care which I'm saying. Yep, that's me, Cliver Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey from basketball. basketball to college football or my career in sports media. Well, somewhere along the way, this platform became bigger than I ever imagined. And now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show.

This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with some of your favorite athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. One week, I'll take you behind the scenes of the biggest moments in sports and entertainment, and the next we'll talk about life, mental health, purpose, and even music. The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast. It's a space for honest conversations, stories that don't always get told, and for people who are chasing something bigger. So, if you've ever supported me or you're just chasing down a dream,

this is right where you need to be. Listen to The Clifford Show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. Do you remember when Diana Ross double-tap little Kim's boobs at the VMAs? Or when Kanye said that George Bush didn't like black people. I know what you're thinking. What the hell does George Bush got to do a little kill? Well, you can find out on the Look Back at It podcast.

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We also have AIDS on the table right now. Thank you finishing that sentence. Yes. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Really? Yeah. For me, it's one of the most important years for black people in American history. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. So I watched the game like you did last night. By the way, I had a chicken pop pie for dinner. Rando, I know. I may only eat that going forward in my life. Totally rando, I know. So Tampa's an ensemble cast. Am I being too critical of Bruce Ariens?

Just think about this. So the NFL is a weekly business. Every week you have a game. In the movie business, it takes six months to get one two-hour movie. That's not the NFL business. That's more like the World Cup. but in the NFL business and in the TV show business, you get four days to work on one show.

And then right after it's done, you get four or five more days to work on another show. And most of the television shows, even the good ones, Succession, Breaking Bad, Parks and Recreation, Seinfeld, everybody loves Raymond, like legendary shows. It took till year two, three, for it to pop. This is an ensemble cast. It's a bunch of coaches, Gronk, Brady,

Ariens, new quarterback coach, thrown together with no preseason. And they're on their way to be 10 and 6. Good, not great. Isn't maybe that what they're destined to be in year one? And this was always bound to be better in year two. I mean, one of the cast members,

A.B., joined the show mid-season. One of them, Leonard Fernette, joined the show right as they were Starting filming. No preseason. Three and a half months in. Old school coach. Old school quarterback.

That sounds like 10 and 6. It doesn't sound like the Kansas City Chiefs. So, you know, again, the NFL is like the TV business, not the movie business. You prep for four days, you get a show. Okay, it's done. Let's not celebrate. Prep for four. And by the way, a lot of those.

show, Seinfeld, everybody loves Raymond's, Breaking Bad, Succession, Parks and Recreate. Funny one week, flat the next. Oh, that makes a lot of sense. No direction to next. That's what Tampa Bay is. Most of us had them at 10 and 6.

You predicted them 9 and 7 and 10 and 6. I predicted them at 10 and 6. I've said this before. With parenting, the days are long, but the years fly by. NFL, the games are crazy, but the season's predictable. I mean, look who's in first place right now.

Kansas City, Green Bay Packers, Seattle's Seahawks are a playoff team, So are McVeigh and the Rams. We all predicted Buffalo had a chance to be a playoff team again. Like even the surprise teams, Miami isn't that big of a surprise. So, again, when you look at what they are, a weekly business thrown together with no preseason, maybe I'm too critical. Maybe 9 and 7. This is not going to be the chiefs of the Steelers.

You don't have the same GM working with the same quarterback and the same coach and the same defense. This isn't Kansas City. This is like year three or four with these guys. This is what you get when you throw a bunch of guys together. You get good one week, awful the next. Really good one week, competent the next. That's not good.

That's pretty good. Maybe that's just what they're supposed to be in year one. Want more herd? The herd streams 24 hours a day, seven days a week within the IHard radio app. Search herd to listen live or on demand whenever you'd like. Nick Wright's my buddy. First things first. He's going to join me now. Brought to you by Mercedes-Benz, the best or nothing. And Nick Wright is now joining me. So it's interesting. Sometimes, Nick, you get these trades in any sport. It could be any sport. And it just doesn't make that big a news.

We are in the middle of an NFL season, and so an NBA trade is big on Twitter, but it's not going to be on our shows very much. And I look at what the Lakers did by getting Dennis Schrooter. And I said this last week, I'm like, wow, that's like a huge move for a defending champ to massively upgrade from a position point guard that can run the show. And then they add Montrez-Harrell and Mark Gassall is a very good low-post defender. And I wake up this morning, and I think to myself, does everybody understand that the defending champs got significantly better over the weekend? Am I hyperbolic here?

No. Did you see the same thing? You're not hyperbolic at all. I'm great to talk to you, as always, Colin. They are the massive favorites. They were the favorites before free agency. Now you have to ask yourself if you could have them or the field. Would you either have the Lakers or all 29 other teams?

I think they're the favorites against the field. Here's the story for LeBron James teams the last decade. Can you survive the six to ten minutes a game he's off the court? If the answer to that question is yes, you win the title. And this team not only can survive those minutes, but I think they can win those minutes. Right now, Colin, Kyle Kuzma is their 10th man. They address all of the needs. And the other element is this.

Teams in the West got better, but the contenders in the West didn't get better. The Nuggets lost Jeremy Grant. The Clippers got no better. The Warriors unfortunately lost Clay. The Rockets are, you know, who knows who's going to be on the Rockets. The Jazz stood, Pat. So, yeah, the Suns got better, right? The Timberwolves got better out West.

But those teams aren't competing. And tenders that got better are all in the east. Milwaukee got better. Brooklyn's going to be way better. The Sixers are going to be better. The Celtics, I don't think, they got better. And the heat got a little bit better. The one major loss the Lakers had, Colin, is Avery Bradley.

And with respect to Avery, they won the title without it. I mean, I don't blame him for not being in the bubble, but there's no question about can they win without it? Well, they did. So, yeah, it was a masterful offseason by Rob Polinka. and the Lakers, I would be barring an injury, I would be shocked if they don't win the title, and I'm saying that before the season even starts.

No, I felt the same thing, and I did yesterday. I had nine guys. I said this generally, and you put it better, but I looked at it and I thought, you know, LeBron could not play, and they could win a game because with AD, Mark Gassol, and Harold, they're big enough, and they've got enough perimeter guys they could score.

So I agree with you. I will ask you this. Can I add one thing? Go ahead. Go ahead. Go ahead. I'll listen. Harold has some limitations, and he wasn't on his best in the bubble.

I think some of that was the rust and some of that was the loss of his grandmother, which really seemed to affect him. But Harold's biggest weakness is he is not a rim protector at all. He's a bad defensive player. The Clippers could not cover up for that because they had no other rim protection. You know how you cover up for that? Playing with Anthony Davis. And so when Anthony Davis doesn't like playing the five, right? So he's going to be on the court a lot with either Gasol or Harrell.

What teams typically try to do is put their center on Anthony Davis, and then what teams would do last year is put their power forward on Dwight or Javail and essentially say, if you want to run post-ups to Dwight or Javail because you have a size advantage, fine, if that's not an efficient possession. Montres Harrow will eat that alive against an undersized power forward. So he fits with the Lakers more than he fit with the clippers, given how the team's built. Nick Wright joining us. So it's easy to blame Brady for the picks, but I'm going to throw something at you.

Yeah. Okay. So Carson Palmer, career high in interceptions, Bruce Ariens is coach. James career high in interceptions, Ariens is coach. Andrew Luck career high in interceptions, Aryan is coach. Brady's on pace for 15 interceptions career high. Ariens is coach. as the McVeys and the Lefleurs and the young coaches have come into this league.

The old school, you know, no biscuit, risk it, over the top, low percentage throws. It's not as quarterback friendly in 2020 as people think. And Brady is being asked at 43 to throw the ball deep behind a hit and miss offensive line is that Arients is more responsible for this than Brady. Yeah, I mean, I definitely make that. case if I was a dyed in the wool Brady apologist. So yeah. I mean, that's all you've got left at this point. Here's the reality, Colin. If you have a pass rush, the bucks offense can't function. If there's no pass rush, they can look amazing. Watch the Panther game. Watch the Raider game,

the second half in particular. If you cannot create pressure, Brady looks like he's 33, not 43. But the moment there's pressure, even the tiniest glimpse of it, and I don't blame him, the guy's not in the business and getting hit anymore. That game ceiling interception, he wasn't even pressured, but his center had just gone out of the game. I think he anticipated the pressure and got rid of that football. And I am old enough to remember when, if you are giving the ball back to Tom Brady, with two minutes left, down, up only three, you, you're best case scenario is overtime. And instead, Brady had a minute 50, second and 10 with a timeout in his pocket,

25 yards from field goal range, and he punited to Tampa Bay. And he could have had a third interception in that game that was dropped, had a fumble in the end zone that somehow was called an incomplete pass. Their best offense was trying to bait the rest into calling pass interference penalties. I mean, listen, man, if there's a pass rush, the bucks are going to lose. and that didn't even get to. I'd love to be here. I didn't hear the beginning of the show.

I assume you led with it an evisceration of Tom Brady for once again snubbing the opposing quarterback. I mean, if there's sportsmanship dead in America, what's happening, you know, I didn't even notice. So he didn't shake Goff's hand last night. Again, you didn't notice. So listen, here's what we know about Tom Brady. When he wins the Super Bowl, he shakes hands, he shook golf's hand after that Super Bowl. The three Super Bowl's he's lost. he didn't shake Eli's hand.

He didn't shake Eli's hand. Then he didn't shake Foles his hand. This year, he didn't shake Foles his hand. He was like, no, I only really do that with guys I have a relationship with, despite the fact that when they beat Justin Herbert, they had a nice, long, warm embrace at midfield, even though he met Herbert that morning.

And then last night, he pouts and salks and storms off the field after a loss. So, listen, I gave him a pass for the Foles one, because if you remember that was he didn't know what down it was game. So in Brady's defense, he thought it was maybe he thought it was half time. So he's going and locked him. It was like, oh, damn, I forgot. Last night, I don't know how you give him a pass for it.

But, you know, nobody asked him about it because the media is a bunch of Colin Coward. They just love him so much. God forbid he has some questions. So maybe we'll find an answer at some point. Nick Wright joining us. Hey, by the way, so I like Wentz more than you, and I support Lamar more than America. But I was thinking this morning that with Lamar and Wentz, it's not that they lack talent. With Wentz, he's too damn reckless.

And with Lamar, we're waiting for him to kind of break through and adapt to the latest challenge of rookie quarterback faces. But this morning, I was thinking to myself, good God, I started listing teams that, now remember, these are teams I'm going to list. that aren't having private calls or meetings or concerns about their current starting quarterback. And I got down to Kansas City, Seattle, the Chargers, Arizona, Houston. Yeah, it's not long. Green Bay drafted a quarterback, so they have them. And Pittsburgh's thinking about Darnel as a backup, so they have them. Could I just say this about Wenz and Lamar?

It ain't a talent thing. It's a what everybody in the league not name Kansas City. or Seattle or the Chargers are thinking this morning, which is everybody's always worried about their quarterback. So I think that's fair. And listen, I think some of the Lamar stuff is concerning. But there is, to me, there is still enough good even within the bad that you have optimism. I am, to me, it's a five-alarm fire with wins.

Okay. When people think of wins, a lot of them think of Nick Foles because of the Super Bowl run. But I want to remind America of a different Nick Foll's stretch. 2014, 13 games, I think, with Chip Kelly, 27 touchdowns, two picks. You remember that, Colin? Yeah. That's unbelievable Nick Bowles run.

Yeah. There was nothing like that any other point of his career. Is there a chance that we're going to look back on Carson Went and say, the dude had an amazing 13 game stretch in 2017 when we said he was the league MVP? but that's just not who he is. He is a turnover machine, 14 picks, 10 fumbles. It's really, really concerning. And if you're Philly, I don't know if you've looked at the contract.

I know you study SpotRack every night. But next year, it is $35 million to keep him and $60 million to move on. So he is their quarterback next year. And I just, I mean, all he had to do, was take care of the football against Cleveland, and he couldn't do it. He hasn't been able to do that. And by the way, I know we're out of time. Just speaking to Cleveland, I'm just curious, have you, has it dawned on you yet,

that you currently live in a world where Baker-Mafield's team has a better record than Tom Brady? That washed over you? Have you let that happen? Yeah, I'm fully aware of that. Not overly happy with it, but I can acknowledge, hey, I picked Cleveland to be. nine and seven and make the playoffs. So it looks like they'll win 10 or 11. But the shock of the division to me is Baltimore, not Cleveland.

I kind of like Cleveland. I think Stefansky next to Gruden's my coach of the year. So I think he's done a great job acknowledging what they are and what they're not. I've got to run, buddy. Good seeing you. Good talking to you. See you guys. Bye.

Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern 9 a.m. Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, FS1, and the IHeart Radio app. Heard Hierarchy. Now, let's go. The top 10 NFL teams, according to college, number 10. I've got a soft spot for the Tennessee Titans because it's old school football. I respect their head coach, Mike Vrable. They overcame an 11-point deficit against the Ravens.

They run the ball. They lead the league in rushing attempts. And they're pretty good playing from behind. Ryan Tannails had five winning drives this year late in games, which leads the NFL. They are very old school football, but I got a soft spot for him because I've I've loved the NFL for 40 years, and I have the Titans, the well-coached Titans at 10. Number nine. Seattle is nine, but I probably have them too low.

Keep your eye on their defensive line. L.J. Collier had his best game as a pro last week, and Carlos Dunlap over from the Bengals, appear to be able to provide the pass rush they need. They held Arizona to a season low 21, and they have the easiest remaining schedule in the NFL. know Russell's got 30 touchdown passes, tops in the league. I've got them a little low. I want to watch their defensive line this week. They may have solved a big issue. Number eight. I got to give it to the Raiders. They've become the model of consistency. Three and one in their last four games, 15 straight games with over 300 plus total yards. That's the longest active streak in the NFL.

They are best in the NFL on third down efficiency at 52 percent. Best in the NFL, meaning they've got a good enough offensive line to get a push, they're well coached, and they're efficient at quarterback. When you, this is a big stat for me, teams that are good on third down offensively, it tells you many things. Good old line, good coaching, and a quarterback that can be efficient against pressure. Raiders at number eight. Number seven.

Green Bay Packers, I may have them too high. I'm doing this for Aaron Rogers because they have the worst red zone deep. defense this year. Opponents score on 97% of red zone drives. They can't stop anybody down inside the 20. And they blew a 14-point lead against the Colts. They got pushed around the entire second half. But Aaron Rogers is fantastic. And Devante Adams, you can make an argument. He's the second or third best wide receiver in this league. So this is just respect for Aaron. I believe they're two Aaron Devonte dependent, but I'll put him at seven. Number six. I'll put the Colts, who I think have a lower ceiling but play physical football.

They've won four of five. Their defense ranks top five in scoring, passing yards. And if you watch that second half against Green Bay, it was majestic. They just strapped on the helmets, put their head down and burrowed over the Packers for two hours. By the way, Rivers has only been sacked nine times. I've said this for years. Good offensive line, masks, a lot of issues, and I love the Colts O' line. I've got him at six.

Number five. Buffalo. Listen, defense can scare me, but their only losses are to the Titans, Chiefs, and Cardinals. Their defense has 10 turnovers in the last five games. That's good. And they have nine takeaways in the fourth quarter this year, meaning when it's crunch time in the fourth quarter, they play defense. So I like their staff. Their quarterback worries me at times, but he's a hell of an athlete.

And I don't have a lot of criticisms with Buffalo. Their defense worries me, but it tends to be good situationally, so I have them at five. Number four. Rams dominated the bucks last night, had over 200 more yards, almost. 32 and 0 when they lead with Sean McVey at half since he got there. Number one in total defense. Number two in scoring defense. And here's what I really like.

I think their secondary is the best in the league. I think they've drafted their secondary. When they got Jalen Ramsey, a big corner, he is so valuable in that division against D.K. Matt Caff and D'Andre Hopkins, Debo Samuel. That's such a smart pickup. They can put him on a Mike Evans and slow him down. And again, what aren't they good at? Their secondary now is, it was an issue two years ago. It is now a team strength.

They moved the ball without Andrew Whitworth at left tackle. I got them four. Number three. Saints. Defense was really a mess early in the year. it no longer is. Now, I do worry they have seven come from behind wins. Why are they always having to come from behind? But I got to tell you, how many teams in the NFL could go 6 and 0 with backups?

I watch Taysam Hill Sunday and I'm like, nobody else could do this. They are so good structurally. GM coach, offensive, defensive line play. I think their pass rush is a little more consistent than the Rams is, so I have them at three. Number two. This is where it gets. easy. The Steelers are 10-0 remarkably for the first time in franchise history.

Now, they have played the easiest strength of schedule in the NFL this season. Some of it is they've beaten a lot of crap. They have the Ravens, Bill's, Colts, and Browns coming up, and I do not think they'll go 4-0 there. They win a lot of close games against decent teams. They don't have the running

game. I think that gets you to a Super Bowl, but I haven't it too, because they're 10-0. and their defense, especially up front, is nasty. Number one. The Chiefs are 18 and 1 over the last calendar year. At this point, if you're going to not put them at number one, you're just trying to be obnoxious. As much as I want to put them two or three because of Nick Wright,

I love a football team that can win playing poorly or win when it's outplayed. And I thought the Raiders, I had the Raiders outplayed them for chunks of that game. and the Raiders are a good team. And they still came back on the road to win. They win behind. They went on the road. And again, they're 18 and 1 in the last calendar year. There you go.

Or heard hierarchy. Now, I didn't have the Browns in it. Good team. Didn't have the Browns in it. I have them at 11. And I will say this. John Gruden's my coat of the year. Kevin Stefansky is the runner up.

I think he's done a great job. First of all, when you become head coach at Cleveland, there's just a history of dysfunction, overreacting. It's not been one of the great own franchises in the NFL or run. But I got to tell you something, to have a below average quarterback and be seven and three in that division, their losses are to the Steelers, the Raiders in a wacky weather game, and the Ravens. They're good. And here's what I like about Kevin Stavansky. He took him two weeks to identify.

identify what the team was and what the team wasn't. John Dorsey, the GM, that's gone, couldn't do that in three years. Three coaches couldn't do it. He has figured out really quickly. Baker Mayfield is a complementary piece. That is it. I mean, think about it. They got two really got a draft of a great tackle, and in free agency, they got a great tackle.

So their offensive line is significantly better, and they added a pro-bow level tied-in. You'd think, oh, they're going to throw more. No, they're throwing less. They were 10th, 10th in pass attempts last year. They're 26 in pass attempts this year. Why? Because Kevin Stefanski by week two realized, here's what we are and here's what we're not. He didn't draft Baker.

I don't think he would. He's not beholden to him. He doesn't have the general manager who drafted him. And he identified really quickly. Baker is at his best, throwing about 25 times a game, hopefully with a strong running game, which allows him to throw on second and five and third and two. And Baker in that space, pretty darn good.

But Baker trailing or Baker under pressure, the numbers are out. He's bad. Like bottom of the league. Baker trailing, Baker has to throw. Baker with a pass rush, he's awful. Okay, that's fine. Baker with a lead in a running game, you win games. They're not pretty, and they've been playing in bad weather, so I haven't had any strong opinions on Cleveland in three weeks.

They're playing in 30-mile-an-hour wins. If you're playing in a city where you'd be cautious to land a plane, I'm not going to rip you. So Cleveland's winning. They deserve credit, but I think Stefansky's done a great job. I have Cleveland at number 11. Sorry if I don't trust them as much as the Titans and Mike Vrabel. I don't. But I think their coach has done a remarkable job, and I'll tell you this.

If I'm a Cleveland Brown fan, I don't know. if Baker's there in a couple years. I think Stafansky will be. I think Cleveland found their coach. And it's one thing about coaching. Like, you know, you can say, when I look at coaching, there's two things that I look for. And right now, Tampa's struggling with this and Philadelphia is struggling. So Bruce Ariens and Doug Peterson are struggling.

Do you identify what you are and what you're not? Tampa still doesn't know. Philadelphia doesn't know. That's the one thing. And do I get a consistent effort week to win? week. I don't with Philly and I don't with Tampa. When I watch the Browns, I kind of get the same team every week. Even the loss to the Raiders, you know, there was a crazy weather game. I'm not going to, I'm not going to bang on them for that. I didn't say anything negative about Cleveland

after that loss. I'm like, come on, it's 35-mile-hour wins. I got nothing to say. But I, my thing is, do you have an offensive identity? They do? And do I kind of get the same team every week. I kind of do. I kind of do. The same ceiling, the same strength, the same liabilities. I kind of get it every week. So I think Stafansky's a home run. I think he did it. I think, you know, it doesn't take long. We've seen this before. Matt Patricia, we knew about eight games in. It doesn't work. It's not good. And we also knew with Sean McVeigh eight games in. Oh, it's really good. This is really good. Sean McDermott of Buffalo. We knew by very early year, too. He knows what he's doing.

Matt Rule at Carolina. I think we have all figured out. He knows what he's doing. It doesn't take long. Joe Judge, I'm a fan of. I think Stefansky works. Now, you could say, well, they got a lot of talent. Cleveland's had a lot of talent for a lot of my life.

Cleveland's had a lot of talent for a lot of my life. But it's been a circus. Also, Cleveland doesn't talk anymore. Cleveland does it yap anymore. When's the last time we talked about the Cleveland Browns? We don't. I lived on the Browns for three years. They never shut up.

They don't talk anymore. They're like grown-ups. Stavansky gets credit for that. He's just one of those guys. Academic, cerebral, smart. He's got a little alpha, but not too much to be silly. I like what he's done. I really like what he's done.

Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern 9 a.m. Pacific. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds.

I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. Yep, that's me. Clipper Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skisks.

gets, the reactions, my journey from basketball to college football, or my career in sports media. Well, somewhere along the way, this platform became bigger than I ever imagined. And now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with some of your favorite athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. One week, I'll take you behind the scenes of the biggest moments in sports and entertainment, and the next we'll talk about life, mental health, purpose and even music. The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast.

It's a space for honest conversations, stories that don't always get told, and for people who are chasing something bigger. So, if you've ever supported me or you're just chasing down a dream, this is right where you need to be. Listen to the Clifford show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast.

And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. Do you remember when Diana Ross double-tap little Kim's boobs at the VM? or when Kanye said that George Bush didn't like black people. I know what you're thinking. What the hell does George Bush got to do a little camp? Well, you can find out on the Look Back at it podcast.

I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we picket here, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. Including a recent episode with Mark Lamont Hill, waxing all about crack in the 80s. To be clear, 84 is big to me, not just because of crack. I'm down to talk about crack all day, but yeah, yeah, literally.

But just so y'all know. I mean, at this point, this is the second episode where we've discussed, correct. So I'm starting to see there's a through line. We also have AIDS

on the table right now. Thank you for finishing that sentence. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Really? Yeah. For me, it's one of the most important years for black people in American history.

Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hardway with me, your host. and your favorite therapist, Kear Games. And in recognition of mental health awareness month,

I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations with so many incredible guests. I'm talking, Tripp Fontaine, Ryan Clark. Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing, we get so wrapped up in the chase that we don't realize that we are in possession of the thing. And we're still chasing it,

and we don't know when we've done enough. Because people scoreboard watch. Life becomes about wins and losses. Burns, Dustin Ross, because you find it important to be a good person while you hear on earth, or are you a good person because you're afraid? Because that's two different intentions, bro. Absolutely. And that's two different levels of trust.

I want you to just really be a good person. Join me, Kear Gaines, is we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast, learn the hard way. Open your free, our heart radio app. Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. Well, you know, Thanksgiving. And football, Joy, go together. Of course. Three games, Cowboys play, Lions play.

We actually have Raven Steelers play Thursday. We get one great game. Washington football team in Dallas is, you know, we'll see. Andy Dalton look pretty good. But I thought I would combine the two. And I'm going to Thanksgiving foods, I'm going to compare them, Joy. Do we have any Thanksgiving music to NFL quarterbacks? Are you ready for this?

I am ready. Let's go. So Tom Brady is, of course, turkey. The staple of any holiday meal, a little dry. Some people say it's kind of a system food. Tom's in bed by 9 p.m. Turkey puts you to sleep by 8.30. Brady is turkey. Patrick Mahomes is ham.

Better than turkey, but not as historic. Still on the rise, you can do a lot with ham. You can do a lot more with ham than turkey. You're never You know what? You got ham in the house. You're never out of contention for a great dinner. You can do something with it.

Big Ben is mashed potatoes. A little boring. You kind of know what you're going to get. Right behind turkey is a staple. It was once a nice sturdy potato, but has been mashed over time. Russell Wilson is gravy. Kind of makes everything better.

But if you're forced too much gravy, it can lead to kind of a mess. but it also covers up when something doesn't turn out right. Aaron Rogers is sweet potato casserole. Flashiest dish on the table. A little arrogant, it knows how good it is. Initial impressions can turn people away. But when done right,

best thing on the table. Baker Mayfield's cranberry sauce. Some love it, some hate it. Not really a meal on its own. drafted too high. You ask yourself, do we really need it? Taysam Hill is stuffing. Kind of a mix of everything.

Rarely seen the rest of the year. Not exactly sure what it is. Different ways to use it. I'm not even really sure if it's a starter. Kyler Murray is Peacon Pie. It shouldn't work, but it does. I'm not sure if you'd choose it, but when you do, you always know you made the wrong.

choice. Not as traditional as pumpkin pie. By the way, he switched sports. This used to just be a nut. Now it's a dessert. It's very versatile. Derek Carr is, he's rolls. Very strong staple. Overlooked. It didn't take that long to prepare. Overlooked. It always rises with the right catalyst. Kind of limited. Not flashy, but you know, the right shaft, Gruden can make it really good.

And finally, Jimmy G. is the centerpiece. Looks good. Everybody stares at it. Very expensive. Not sure if it's your long-term future. Very fragile. And if you spend too much on it, you could really be questioning your decision and your

judgment. There are my Thanksgiving pathetic. quarterback comparisons. Another podcast from some SNL late night comedy guy, not quite on Humor Me with Robert Smygel and Friends. Me and hilarious guests from

Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer Streeter Seidel help an a cappella band with their between songs banter. Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes.

Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and Friends on the IHeart Radio app. or wherever you get your podcasts. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential.

Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. On The Look Back at it podcast. From 1979, that was a big moment for me.

84 was big to me. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick a year, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. With our friends, fellow comedians, and favorite authors. Like Mark Lamont Hill on the 80s. 84 was a wild year.

It was a wild year. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what I'm saying. Yep, that's me, Cliver Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, my basketball and college football journey, or my career in sports media.

Well, now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifers Show. This is a place for raw, unfields of conversations with athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. So let's get to it. Listen to the Clifford show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok's podcast network on TikTok.

This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed human.