The Herd with Colin Cowherd - 12/01/2020 - Best of The Herd

Episode Date: December 1, 2020

-The Seahawks have improved enough to be considered a title contender-Give yourself credit, you were right about the Bucs-Carson Wentz isn't completely to blame for the Eagles struggles-Aggressive teams like the Rams and Seahawks win in the NFL-The Herd Hierarchy: Colin's top ten teams in the NFLGuest: Andrew Whitworth, Rams Left Tackle 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.

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, Apple Podcasts, 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 IHard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, what's good, y'all? You're listening to Learn the Hard Way with your favorite therapist and host, Kear Games.

This space is about black men's experiences, having honest conversations that it's really not safe to have anywhere, but you're having them with a licensed professional who knows what he's doing. How many men carry a suit or armor? It signals to the world that you're not to be played with. And just because you have the capability that does not mean that you need to. Listen and learn the hard way on the AHA radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what you're 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 Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversation. 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 IHeard 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.

Thanks for listening to the best of Heard podcast. Be sure to catch us live every weekday from 12 to 3 Eastern, 9 to noon Pacific on Fox Sports Radio and FS1. Find your local station for the herd at Fox SportsRadio.com or stream us live every day on the iHeart Radio app by searching Herd. This is the best of the herd with Colin Cowher on Fox Sports Radio. Oh, here we go. Packed on a Tuesday. Welcome in live in Los Angeles.

This is The Herd, wherever you may be. However you may be listening, Fox Sports Radio, IHeart Radio, and FS1, one hour from now, the Herd hierarchy, top 10 teams in the NFL, painstakingly, team by team, pouring over that this morning. And Joy Taylor is joining me. Joy, how are you? I'm good. That was, what was that last night?

That was hard to watch at times. It was. It was not artistic. It was not grand. Well, for the Seahawks, it was. So I want to start the show with this. I tell my kids this all the time. Solve the problem.

I'm not into victimhood. I don't want to hear about your issues. solve the problem. I don't hang around negative people. Solve the problem. Yep, yep, yep. I don't get this. I don't get that.

All right. All right. Nothing's perfect. Solve the problem. It's amazing in the NFL how few teams could solve their issues and can't.

Green Bay can't stop the run. Why haven't they solved it this season? You can trade up to week eight. Coach guys out. Chicago offensively needs more juice when Tareke Cohen got hurt. Why can't Ryan Pace the GM and Matt Nagy? Why can't you solve the problem?

What you watched last night is Seattle, a Hall of Fame coach, and probably John Snyder, a borderline Hall of Fame general manager. You watch them solve a problem. So Seattle, we know they have stars. Bobby Wagner's maybe the best linebacker in football. Russell Wilson, one of the best quarterbacks in football, but they had no pass rush. And last night, they solved it.

And it wasn't just Philadelphia. they now have 19 sacks in the last four games. Five more than anybody in the NFL, including the Steelers. Now, third down, they were awful. Their offensive line is middle of the pack. It's not atrocious, but it's not great. But when Chris Carton is running, this is a Super Bowl team. There's four key ingredients historically to win a Super Bowl.

Got to have the right coach, got to have the right quarterback. You have to have some semblance of a pass rush to make star quarterbacks and the other team uncomfortable. And increasingly, got to have some playmakers. You've got to occasionally get an easy touchdown. We saw that with Kansas City over the weekend. You know, the good teams have some playmakers. And Seattle has all of this stuff.

19 sacks four games. And this is what's interesting. So Seattle knew going into the season, oh, we don't have much of a pass rush. And so what did they do? Their general manager, John Snyder, said, all right, let's go get Carlos Dunlap. He started squawking.

He wasn't unhappy. And they gave up a nothing pick to get him. And then right before the season, they gave too much up for Jamal Adams. But they got Jamal Adams as a safety. plays like a linebacker and he loves a blitz. And then they had drafted a first round defensive lineman last year, LJ Collier from TCU, didn't do much hurt his first year.

Second year now, oh, he can play. But they solved an issue. And now Seattle, to me, we know there's three really good teams in the NFL. Chief Steelers Saints. Seattle is four to me, along with other teams, but they did something that very few teams in the NFL. Folks, you can trade until week eight. Green Bay can't stop running games. make a move.

They didn't. Seattle had a pass-russ issue. No more. They solved it. Trent Delfare and I talked about this yesterday. This is what Pete Carroll does. This is why he'll end up in the Hall of Fame. And Pete can drive me nuts on some things.

And Seattle's GM sometimes butcher's first round picks. A couple years ago took a running back. I didn't get it. He's a bust. Still don't get it. But it happens. It's not science. It's drafting.

They're young kids. They're 20, 21. Some have art. Some have soul. Some have a work ethic. Some don't. You can't, you know, read their poems. you don't know exactly what you're getting in most cases.

But in the end, Seattle has solved a primary issue. Why doesn't Chicago? Your offense needs juice. Solve it. You got two months to make trades. Green Bay can't stop the run. Solve it. Here's Trent Dillford talking about this yesterday.

Everybody in the talent and coaching business understands the acquisition of talent is important. Where most miss it is the development of that talent. They didn't panic when they weren't getting a pass rush. Now they went out and acquired more talent, but then you have to develop that talent. You have to have it mesh with the rest of your players on defense too. They've tweaked their system a little bit. They're not going to say, we're just going to do this system because this is what we do. They're going to tweak their system around that talent that they brought in and that they've developed.

By the way, in September, Seattle had five total sacks and allowed 500 yards a game in September. In October, they allowed 460 yards a game. In November, they have 22 sacks and are allowing 340 yards a game. Every month, they coach it up, they acquire, they get better, and you watch Seattle last night. And to me, they looked like a Super Bowl team because they got the coach, the quarterback, the pass rush, and the playmakers. Not saying they're going to win the Super Bowl, but those are the four things you have to have. And one of them was missing in September and early October. And now they've solved it.

Like, just because you start a project here, you've got to be able to pivot. That's what every great business book tells you. Every company you start within six weeks are like, all right, we've got to pivot off that. Amazon, Netflix, look all of them. They pivot off stuff. And it's like Seattle, if Seattle gets to the NFC championship, they would not have. If John Snyder and Pete Carroll wouldn't have been willing to move off, they're kind of, you know, here's what we have. we got to keep elevating and improving and acquiring and trading and ask Carson Wentz.

Now you say, well, the offensive line for Philadelphia, they have 19 sacks in four games. That's five more than any other team in the National Football League, including the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have a great pass rush. All right, I want to go to this. I'm going to defend Carson Wentz in about five minutes, but let's do this first. So I see another public wrestling match. Bruce Ariens came out yesterday and said, well, Tom Brady's been calling the plays for the last month. Oh, good me.

Tom Brady's. Oh, boy. Let me just say this. Guys love to give themselves credit. And for the first time in my broadcast career, you guys are not giving yourself credit. Oh, you rush to Twitter to tell me how special you are, all four of your followers. But today, man, I am actually. asking you to give yourself credit.

So let's look at Tom Brady's numbers this morning for Tampa. Oh, they're just utterly disastrous. Oh, wait, they're not. 28 touchdowns, 11 picks, 65% completion percentage, and a passer rating of 95. Oh, those are excellent. Now, they have been at times inconsistent, and their running game does disappear, but his numbers are on pace to crush his numbers last year. He's already got more touchdowns than last year, a better completion percentage than last year,

and a better passer rating than last year. And oh, by the way, if you go to your little pocket schedule, take out the first game against the Saints, a bunch of new guys and no camp, I'll just take that game out. They've scored 31, 28, 38, 38, 45, 25, 45, 46, 24, 24, two stinkers, bears and saints. Ooh, bad actors have bad movies.

Good actors, excuse me, have bad movies, and great bands have bad albums. Oh, Tom Brady with no OTAs and no camp and no preseason had a couple of stinkers, one against the Bears and one against Saints, top two or three team in the league. Okay, remember when this trade was made. All you people said the same thing.

Listen, if Tom can be productive, but just cut down on James Winston's mistakes, it's going to be a 10 and 16. Oh, check, check. He's on pace to throw half the interceptions of James Winston and be more productive. Tampa was 7 and 9 last year. They'll be favored in all four of their next games.

Let's say they win three, they're 10 and 6. Oh, what, that's what you predicted. Their offense is number seven in scoring about what we thought they would be. Yes, they've been inconsistent. And yes, their running game can disappear. And I don't think Bruce Ariens and Tom Brady, I don't think they're the perfect fit. I just don't. I think they're old school to, you know, detailed, more rigid.

But we've moved into silliness territory. This thing is largely what you predicted, what I predicted, what joy predicted. We didn't think they were going to be the chiefs. We didn't think they were going to beat the chiefs. Most of us did not think they would be as good as the Ravens. They're better. We didn't think they were going to go 13 and 3 like Green Bay. Many of you thought I didn't, many of you did.

Most of you didn't think they would be the Seahawks. They may end up with a better record. Give yourself credit. We can do all this public arguing Aryans and Brady. His numbers are really, really good. They're like Tom Brady Prime numbers take out of Randy Moshe or two. He's cut down on the James mistakes. That's exactly what we hope for.

And we all predicted 9 and 7 or 10 and 6. They have a chance to go 11 and 5. This is a lot of noise and silliness. Now, this is a good team, occasionally excellent Green Bay game, Carolina game that can be inconsistent, shocker, no preseason, and sometimes forgets they have Leonard Fernette and the really speedy Ronald Jones. But in a world where guys rushed to Twitter with nine followers to tell you how brilliant they are, today I'm giving you a pass, you nailed it.

This is exactly what we thought they'd be. Exactly what we thought they'd be. And by the way, they are a top eight to ten team. That's what nine and seven generally. is in the NFL. 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 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 what you're saying.

Yep, that's me, Clifford Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, 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 conversation. 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 Clivert 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 Kim? Well, you can find out on the Look Back at a podcast. I'm Sam Jette. And I'm Alex English.

Each episode, we pick you here, unpack what? went down and tried 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 just so you all know. I mean, at this point, Mark, this is the second episode where we've discussed crack, so I'm starting to see that there's a through line. We also have AIDS on the table right now, so.

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. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hard Way 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. Steve Burns, Dustin Ross, because you find it important to be a good person while you hear on Earth. 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, Keer Gaines, is we have really. real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast, learn the hard way. Open your free iHeartRadio app.

Search Learn the hard way and listen now. So Carson Wentz is not very good right now. His mechanics, his confidence, his accuracy, all stink as the Eagles lost last night. 25 of 45, two TDs a pick, a passer rating of mid-70s, not very good, very backupish. I'm going to do the virtually impossible because I think it's very possible. and defend Carson Wentz. He signed a big contract. Howie Roseman, the GM signed him to a big contract.

And there was some risk involved. He was young. It was expensive and he had had injuries. So let's start with that. But I defended it and I still do today. Why? It's very easy this morning to wake up throwing pots and pans. Let's go to Carson Wentz right before the contract was signed.

So what was his trajectory like? Year one, passer rating. 79. Year 2, 101, year 3, 102. Oh, my. That's an 8 quarterback. He's getting better. His completion percentage went from 62 in year 1 to 69.

Oh, my. His passing yards again went from 236 to 253 to 280. Oh, my, he's getting better. That was the trajectory. Then he signed it, and here's the following year. 27 TDs, 7 picks, 4,000 yards, 64%, 9 and 7, throwing two decked. chairs and scout team guys. And now you're all bailing.

I'd like to remind you he's missing his two top offensive linemen, a pro bowl tackle and a pro bowl guard. Andre Dillard, Washington State left tackle drafted last year, hurt not playing. Zach Ertz tight end out, Alshan Jeffrey receiver shot and Jalen Rager can't separate. Other than that, it's just rainbows and birds chirping. I don't know what's wrong. Does he have a backup quarterback complex? There's a statue of Nick Foles outside the stadium, and they drafted Jalen Hertz in the second round.

And he's the only starting quarterback in the league that's asked about his backup every single week. Carson Wentz last night, asked about his backup, asked about quarterback, asked about starting after the game. There's been a lot of talk and speculation about you possibly getting benched or something like that. Does that weigh on you at all? Do you think about that at all? And does that occur during the game, any of that come up? Yeah, I mean, I said it last week, you know, this is what you sign up for. And as a quarterback, ever since you're a kid, you know, you're prepared for any of those.

Nothing's ever guaranteed. And so for me, I don't think about that, though. I just try and go out and be the best player I can be in practice, prepare my tail off, compete my tail off. And, you know, hopefully we can get this thing turned around. By the way, Seattle's good. He lost to them last night. Ooh, he's not really good right now. His idol, Brett Farve even criticized him and said he'd take full.

They draft a backup who he gets asked about every week. The statue of Nick Foles. I don't know if it's in his head. But I know Eli Manning, year four, led the NFL in picks. 56% completion percentage. They were talking in New York about getting rid of him. They didn't. He won the Super Bowl that year.

Peyton Manning, the superior quarterbacking brother in year four, went six and 10, 26 TDs, 23 picks. Nobody talked about getting rid of him, but it's not linear. great actors have bad movies, great bands again have bad albums. I don't know what it is, but look at the trajectory of why they signed him. Passer rating, completion percentage, yards per game, up, up, getting better. Big arm, excellent size, trajectory, excellent. And then they signed him last year and the team physically fell apart. And he was 9 and 7, 27 TD, 7 picks, 4,000 yards, and 64% completion percentage.

And this year he's missing his best tight end. The rookie receiver's been hurt, not what we thought. Alshan Jeffreys over the hill. Best guard, best tackle out. And the guy they drafted it left tackle from Washington State is hurt and can't play. Frank Reich, his best coordinator, is gone. Now a head coach and an excellent one in Indianapolis. Go ahead, bail, do it.

Trade him away, fine. I'm not. I've been watching this game long enough. They wanted to trade Eli. Peyton Manning was awful year four. Brett Farth through 20 picks. what, seven times? I'm guessing off the top of my head. I think you'll get it right. And I don't know what the problem is. One more herd? The herd streams 24 hours a day, seven days a week within the

iHeart radio app. Search herd to listen live or on demand whenever you'd like. I've been on this for a while. It used to be in the NFL. You just didn't make trades. Jimmy Johnson was the first really coach general manager in the league that made huge trades. I think the New York Giants had made one trade ever before Jimmy Johnson made his big Herschel locker move. And so now you have a lot of young GMs. And, you know, for years and years, we always credited the New England Patriots with hoarding all their draft picks. Yeah, but they don't have any good players. So I'm watching the Seahawks last night.

And they literally turned around their defense by giving up a draft pick for Carlos Dunlap and giving up a bunch for Jamal Adams. And you know what they don't miss today? Any of those draft picks. There's seven and three in first place in the toughest division in football. You look at the L.A. Rams. I live in Los Angeles. Joy and I do. Aaron Donald, they drafted. But they went out and got Jalen Ramsey and gave up a first round pick. And they went and got Andrew Whitworth, the left tackle that saved Jared Gough. And they went and got Robert Woods in a trade. And they haven't had a first round pick since Jared Gough.

You know, you start looking around and go look at the NBA. This is why the Green Bay Packers, who they pay their house off, they put the max money in the 401k. But they never go for it. And what is Green Bay? missing a star player on defense is that you go look at the last three NBA champions. The Lakers gave up a ton of picks. People complained. Oh, they're giving up four players, all these picks for Anthony Davis. You know what they don't miss today? Picks. This is the worst draft of my life. Remember when Toronto got Kauai Leonard and everybody said, it's a one-year rental. He doesn't like Canada. He doesn't like cold. You were right.

I forgot what they gave up. Nobody cares. By the way, Golden State Kevin Durant. Nobody cares. It's like, I love the draft, but especially the NBA draft. The kids are coming in right at a high school. I mean, they got one year of college, they go right to the NBA. They're not ready to do anything. Even the guys I like, like John Morant, who I really like, he's, one through 10, he's at about a six and a half seven. He's still got a mature, playing big games. Zion Williamson can't get his body right yet. So in the basketball, I would give up everything for a start. I'd give you up 10 years of number one picks for Anthony. Davis. Who cares? I mean, look at how many players and draft picks the Pelicans got this morning.

They were still forced to sign Brandon Ingram a month ago to a massive contract, which you're stuck with that now for a good player, but he's a B player with an A contract. It just doesn't matter. Like, Jamal Adams for Seattle, I thought they gave up too much. I don't think a safety is worth two first round picks. I still don't love that. But this morning, he and Carlos Dunlap have saved the defense. They're just in every I mean, just look around everything right now. Look around all, Mookie Betts, the Dodgers. Dodgers were winning their division every year.

And then they gave up a bunch of prospects for Mookie Betts. And you watch the games and I watch the games. You're like, oh, yeah, yeah, I'll tell you what they don't miss, prospects. What's happening to the draft is that, and, you know, the draft still has value. But in basketball, the players are coming in younger, less experienced. There's a long runway. I mean, LeBron James has basically said, I don't want to play with Andrew Wiggins. Give me Kevin Love.

I mean, Kevin Love, we knew he wasn't a great defender. He wasn't the most athletic guy. He was a good rebounder. LeBron's like, I'll take that. Everybody's like, Andrew Wiggins, 45-inch vertical. He's got me amazing. No, no, no, give me Kevin Love. I mean, LeBron James doesn't want to play in Miami.

Didn't want to play with young guys. Give me Ray Allen. Give me Shane Batti. Give me limited veteran guy. So the reality is when I look at the Green Bay Packers, people like, why don't you ever kind of give the Green Bay Packers love? And my takeaway is they're the guy that maxes his 401k and pays his house off. Green Bay doesn't have enough playmakers.

They need like a playmaking linebacker and another pass rusher. And I don't think they're going to get past teams like Seattle in New Orleans. New Orleans went out. Emmanuel Sanders. Let's get another guy. Add to our play. So I don't know. When I watched Seattle last night and Carlos Dunlap and Jamal Adams, I'm like, this is the future.

And in Los Angeles, I saw the Lakers. do it with AD, the Dodgers do it with Mookie Betts, and I watched the Rams do it with Jalen Ramsey. Huge moves. I mean, give up the Dodgers gave up best prospects. The Lakers gave up all these picks and players. And

the Rams went out for Jalen Ramsey, and I don't remember what it was. It could have been two first. They gave up first round picks. In all three of them, it is totally paid off. The 80s a title, Mookie's a title, and frankly, Jalen Ramsey's great because he's a big corner and you can put him on DK Metcalf. That's where the Rams

out with Seattle pretty well. And they match up with Arizona pretty well because you can put him on Debo Samuel San Francisco. You can put Jaylen Ramsey on D.K. Metcalfe. You can put him on DeAndre Hopkins, who are big, big targets. And you can see D.K. Matcalfe, these little corners don't stand it. He's like Iron Man and the Avengers. Like nobody can guard him.

Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern, 9 a.m. Pacific on Fox Sports Radio FS1 and the I Hard Radio app. All right, here we go. I spent a lot of time on this. Not sure why. What's the point? I like doing it. It's my top 10.

It's a herd hierarchy. By the way, I'm not one of these sports guys that, yeah, I used to work at a company. I don't know what happened to them. But they used to just put the rankings based on the record, which is so hacky. Like, what does that mean? I do it based on the higher you go, I think you would beat the teams below you this morning. So that's how I do it. Like, here's the best teams if they play today.

Here we go. Heard hierarchy. Time is now. Let's go. The top 10 NFL teams, according to college. Number 10. I'm going to put Cleveland in there. They've had the third easiest strength of schedule.

Baker Mayfield, though, four games without a pick. So they've kind of figured, by the way, they throw the ball very few times and run it more than anybody percentage-wise in the league. They're five and oh and one possession games. They're the number one rushing offense. And I think I'm putting them here because of Kevin Stefansky. He has figured out, at best, Baker Mayfield is a complimentary piece. run the football, don't make mistakes, easy schedule, we'll get into the playoffs. They're not a Super Bowl team.

I'm not sure if they're win a playoff game team. I don't think they can beat most AFC teams that will win their division or wildcard teams. But I think they've figured out what they are and what they're not. And for that, with their record, 5 and 0 and 1 possession games are number 10. Number 9. But I think they'd lose to Tampa Bay, who I put at number 9. So they've had back-to-back losses.

How can you do this, Colin? Folks, they lost close to Kansas City. It's a very good football team. Their defense is number one against the rush in the National Football League, number two in takeaways in the NFL this year. They humiliated Aaron Rogers. It's a good football team. Tom Brady's got 28 TDs and 11 picks.

That's already better than last year. They're fine. Now, Brady's also got the worst deep ball passer rating in the league. I think they have forced the ball down the field too much. I don't think that plays into Tom Brady's season. restraints, but they've had a tough schedule. They played the Saints twice. They played the Packers.

They played Kansas City. This is a good football team, and I would take him over Cleveland. Number eight. But the Rams beat Tampa, so I put them in eight, and they're a good football team. Listen, Kyle Shanahan has got Sean McBay's number. Nobody else does, but Kyle Shanahan does. He's beating him four straight games. First loss at SoFi Stadium, but again, it's a good football team.

Number two in total defense, number two in past defense. I think they have the best secondary in the NFL. I would be concerned with Jared Goff in the last month. A lot of picks and a lot of fumbles, and Sean McVeigh rightly called him out for that. But this is an excellent team. If Goff is your weakness, then you have a chance to get to a Super Bowl eventually Rams at 8. Number seven. But I put the bills at seven because they beat the Rams, even though it was a bad call at the end of the game.

Here's what I like about it. Listen, Josh Allen can drive me nuts. He makes some dumb plays. But he's the only quarterback in the league with 20 plus touchdown passes and five plus rushing touchdowns. He's a horse. He's Big Ben. He's just a handful. And he drives me nuts and he makes mistakes and he did in college.

And I think it's just part of his DNA. He's going to drive me nuts his whole life. But I think this coaching staff is outstanding. Sean McDermott is now 4 and 0 off a buy. That's Andy Reid. That's Belichick. That's what the good coaches do. And their defense isn't great.

But I'll say this, it's great situationally. It's great in the fourth quarter. They've got 10 takeaways in the last five games. That's tied for the NFL lead and 10 takeaways in the fourth quarter, which is tied for the NFL lead. You don't have to be great defensively, but you have to be great at times. And they are, and I got them seven. Number six. But I think they'd probably lose to Green Bay in a shootout.

Listen, here's my problem with the Packers. Oh and two against teams with winning records, the Bucks and the Colts. They're 8 and 1 against everybody else. But it is fun to watch Aaron's having. I'd vote Aaron the MVP this morning. He's lighting it up. They have a star back, a star receiver, a star quarterback. I think their offensive line isn't great, but it's usually top third in the league.

Now, they face one team remaining with a winning record Tennessee. So people think I have them low. I have them at six because I think they beat the bills. That's where I have them. But I think the Titans would beat the Packers because King Henry would run down their throat. The Titans are a funny team. I don't think they can get to the Super Bowl, but good God, I'd have no interest playing him in the playoffs.

They scare me. I mean, it's like I think Lennox Lewis was a better fighter than Tyson, but I think I'd rather face Lennox Lewis than I would Mike Tyson. Titans, fewest giveaways in the NFL, they never give you the ball. They try to just run it down your throat, and if they get into a mood, you'll just sit and watch them run the football. Ryan Tannehill, by the way, is at eight straight games with a touchdown pass. When it comes to running the football, nobody can physically humiliate you in the league like Tennessee,

and so I put them at five. Number four. But I take the Seahawks to beat them on a neutral field. I think Seattle, excellent coaching and GMing, they solved their pass rush in season. 19 sacks and 47 pressure since getting Carlos Dunlap and Jamal Adams on the field together, both are the most in the NFL. They have solved their pass rush, which was a big question in September and October, and it's also simultaneously, what do you know, made their secondary, which isn't great,

good at safety but not great, it's made that better. Their big issue now is can Chris Carson stay healthy, and the offensive line outside of left tackles a bunch of meh. Number three. Saints, listen, they've won eight straight games, longest streak in the NFC, and I've got to be honest with you, if you can keep. Keep winning with backups, you win. They're 8 and 0 since week four.

They're first in point differential, first in yardage differential, third in points per game, and first in points per game allowed. What do you want me to say? And they're doing it with Taysam Hill, and they did it last year with Teddy Bridgewater. They went 13 and 3, 13 and 3. And it looks like this year they'll go 13 and 3. Well coach, smartly run, very good line play. I do think there are limitations to them going over the top,

but that's why I have them three. Number two. And have the Steelers number two because they can beat you over the top. They're also five and oh and one possession games. You know, let's be honest. They get a little lead on you. And then they suffocate you with that pass rush. They have the number one scoring defense.

They're number one in sacks. They're number one in takeaways in the NFL. And now, now they play the second easiest schedule. So I do not think they can beat my number one team. Number one. Kansas City. What do you want me to say? I mean, the only team in the league down three scores, and you wouldn't care.

In Kansas City's offense since week five is number one in everything that matters. They had a hiccup against the Raiders in a loss. Other than that, since week 12 last year ahead, they can play with a lead, they can play finesse, they can run the ball. My only real consideration for Kansas City that worries me is there a little bit the Golden State Warriors. I said this yesterday. When you score so dramatically and quickly and brilliantly that sometimes you lack urgency. And there are times I feel like they go out there and they're just, they're just

kind of just seven on seven it. They don't have a ton of urgency. They're kind of flipping it backwards and kind of experimenting a little bit. But it's the best team in the league. I have not seen an NFL team score this quickly or so brilliantly. I can't name it. I don't know. I can't compare to anything. It's different. And so Kansas City is number one. So let's look at it again. Kansas City would beat Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh would beat New Orleans. New Orleans would beat Seattle. Seattle would beat Tennessee.

Tennessee would pound Green Bay physically. Green Bay would win a shootout with Buffalo. Buffalo beat the Rams. Rams beat the Bucks. And I think the Bucks would beat the Browns. 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. I don't care what you're saying. Yep,

that's me, Clipper Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, 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 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 with a little Kim?

Well, you can find out on the Look Back at it podcast. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick it 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 was big to me, not just because of crack.

I'm down to talk about crack on day, but just so you're just so you're not. 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 that there's a through line. We also have AIDS on the table right now. Thank you for 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. 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.

Steve 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, as 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. So Andrew Whitworth is one of those guys that not only has he been playing forever, but he just doesn't miss starts, right? Doesn't get hurt. And this year, Torr suffered a torn left MCL and PCL damage in week 10 against the Seahawks. Now, he is expected to return. He's starting to walk again. But it's interesting because I just read this morning, the same doctor that did Andrews surgery is doing Joe Burroughs surgery this week.

And Andrew Whitworth, Rams offensive lineman Pro Bowl tackle is joining us. So this is interesting. It is remarkable in a country with so many brilliant doctors that you guys would use the same doctor. I don't know why it fascinates me. So let's talk about the surgery because there are some similarities between you and Joe Burrow, torn left MCL. Is it painful after the surgery? Can you rehab it?

Kind of take me what are we going to see with you and what are we seeing with Joe Burrell? What do you expect? Well, here's the difference, Colin. I actually, as of right now, they've determined won't have to have surgery. So the difference is since, you know, he tore his ACL, he really has a, you know, the same kind of thing as me. It's just the difference is once you tear that ACL, you have to have surgery. And obviously why he's having surgery early is when you tear all that, you know, you have to go in and fix it. You know, with my injury, with a PCL MCL injury, they can grow back.

But if I would have tore my ACL, then you'd go in there and repair all three. But without that, you really wouldn't go in there and repair mine. So we're trying to avoid surgery right now. And so far it's going really well. And Dr. Eletchosh obviously is an amazing doctor. And I know Joe Burrow will be in great hands. So you guys, Rams at the Cardinals this week now because of COVID, the protocols you can't travel. You have to sit and watch it home.

I saw Sean McVeigh was critical of Jared Gough, the quarterback, who's your friend. And I've defended a million times on this show. I kind of think it comes with the territory. Goff's very soft-spoken. He's a really good kid. Do you worry at all that public criticism two or three times in a month, is going to bother Jared Goff? You know, I don't.

I think Jared's a kid who knows what it's about. He's been in tough situations before, and I think he's built to weather this storm. I think that there's going to be moments throughout this season that we can look back right now and say that there's been some great play by our team, and then there's been moments that we're like, man, you know what, we'd like to have it back. And he's been front and center the whole time of owning it when he needs to

and being a part of why we're successful as well. And so I think, you know, you really look at 2018, Colin, we had a similar performance against Philadelphia and Chicago and ended up in the Super Bowl. So I think it's one of those things that you really look at your season. You say, hey, you know what? We're building. We're building. You don't have quite the day you want and don't win a game. And you can't just fall apart.

You've got to keep digging, keep your head down, and realize it's about getting hot at the right time. And we're a healthy football team that has that potential. You know, it's interesting. When you guys went out and got Jalen Ramsey, I initially said, wow, that is a lot to pay for a corner. And I wake up this morning and I look at your division with all these big receivers and I'm like, oh my God, he's like transformed the deep. I think your secondary is the best in the league now.

I mean, you've watched it. Did you know immediately? Because I didn't. Did you know immediately? Oh, that's going to change some things with Jalen Ramsey. I think, I don't know if you knew it immediately. I think everyone knows what a special player he was. But I think for me, really what's changed it is being in this.

environment, given the opportunity of what Sean does so well, of letting guys have ownership and who they are, how they carry themselves, and what's important to them, giving them a voice. What's really been special to me is the tremendous player he is, but the opportunity to get to get to know how his mind works and the challenger he is. He's a guy that to me, you know, coming from Jacksonville, you didn't hear a lot of good things about what his chemistry with the team was. You just knew what a tremendous player he was. And then now having him here, his ability to challenge our entire defense with the physicality they play with and whether they're soft and whether they're playing soft and whether they're hitting people or tackling what they're doing.

He constantly is challenging guys on the physicality they play the game with. And you watch him as a DB. People want to argue who's the best. I mean, there's not a more physical guy than him for sure at the position. I mean, you watch the way he tackles people. It's violent. And he's really made a difference with that attitude and the way he's able to challenge guys around him. That's what really makes you special.

When you're an elite player and you have an elite ability to challenge people around you and make them better, you know, what sky is the limit for your group? You know, I think one of the things, it's funny about divisional rivals. And you probably felt this when you were in Cincinnati and you faced the Steelers twice and the Ravens twice is you're not fooling anybody. And there is something about the 49ers and the Rams. They kind of last couple of years, they just kind of have your guys number and kind of talk about that. the difference between facing divisional rivals and out of division and out of conference teams. Yeah, I think when things become common, right, you know the defense they're going to play, you know the offense they're going to play.

You really, those things you see, whether it be turnovers or critical moments in the game, stick out even more. And I really look at, you look at the last couple years for us, you know, even the first game last year, come out of the half, it's a tight football game. We fumble the first play of the half and give them a chance to get it. a two-score lead and they kind of hold on to it for the rest of the half there and keep the ball possession. Then you look at the second game. We're having a great game in the first half. We're winning, have a decisive lead at one point in the second quarter, and then we give up a turnover

for a touchdown, which gets them back in the game and gives them the momentum that kind of led to a game going back and forth to the wire and then winning. And then this year it's been more the same, you know, the ability to just turn the ball over and not really possess it as well as we should have, has come back to bite us against them, because we do know each other so well that you know it's going to be a close game. It's going to be one of those games where you're just biting your nails over who's got the ball last or who's kind of got control of the game. And you're not really going to run away from each other. And so it's another game in this instance this last week where turnovers really ended up biting us. You know, in critical moments, we ended up turning the ball over.

You know, it's interesting. It is, in yourself included, Jalen Ramsey and Aaron Donald. It's an organization that has gone out and given up first round picks and gotten stars. And it's funny, Sean McVeigh, he's a young coach, he's never overwhelmed by it. And I want you to take our audience inside. A lot of times when you get star-studded teams, they're very difficult to manage. You're dealing with guys making $25 million a year. And then you bring Jalen Ramsey and outspoken guy. You got Aaron Donald, yourself, Pro Bowl players.

Now, Jared Goff got a lot of money. You got star receivers. Why does it work, though? I never hear anything from the Rams are the quietest team. Forget, we're in the entertainment capital of the world. You don't even hear stories about the Rams. How does McVeigh balance all that? I think just by the fact that he lets us be who we are.

It's one of the few places I've ever played or been around where, you know, we don't really have rules. There's not a team rule. There's not a list of, hey, rights and wrongs. There's one team rule in our organization, and that's a be on time. And that's just because that's respectful. And that's the only team rule we have on our entire group. No one would tell you another rule because there's not any. We don't care what you wear, what you're dressed like.

We want you to be yourself and realize that we're all going to care about each other. We're all in this thing together. And as long as we're all pulling in the right direction, all the other stuff is just, it's an opportunity to create diversity. It's an opportunity to create devices. There's no point in it. And I think that we want to really have an opportunity where guys be themselves, bring out their best and their personality, and challenge themselves to be at their best each and every week.

And that's all that's important and that we support each other along the way. So I think Sean just does a tremendous job of giving you that confidence that he's in it with you. And the only thing he wants to do is compete and win. And outside of that, we're not here to do anything else. And so I think that makes it fun where guys enjoy the place they work, they enjoy the environment. and we don't have any yelling or cussing or screaming or calling guys out like that. It's just not the kind of environment. It's an environment to enjoy what you do, love what you do, and let's go compete to win together.

You know, it's funny. When you watch a movie, I've thought before in my life, if you were an actor, how could you watch a movie? Like you'd be so caught up in other actors as a football player who never miss games. When you watch a Rams game, if I was sitting next to you and you had the remote, what is it like to watch? a game with a pro bowl left tackle. Are you a mess? Are you screaming?

What is it like? I'm a mess, Colin. You know, at one point in the game the other day, I had to walk outside just kind of take a walk. You know, I need to take a breather, just get away from the kids and the wife and yell at myself a little bit. And, you know, it's terrible. I mean, I'm sweating.

You know, I'm, you know, I can't sit still. It's not any fun. You know what? I'm glad that people love watching our game. So far, I haven't enjoyed it very much. I'd much rather be on the field and have a little bit of feel like I have some kind of control. Good stuff, buddy. Andrew Whitworth, get healthy.

Love to have you back. Love having another. Another podcast from some SNL, late-night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smigel 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 I-Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, 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 IHard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, what's good, y'all? You're listening to Learn the Hardweight

with your favorite therapist and host Kear Games. This speech is about black men's experiences, having honest conversations that's really not safe to have anywhere, but you're having them with a license, professional who knows what he's doing. How many men carry a suit or armor. It signals to the world that you not to be played with. And just because you have the capability that does not mean that you need to.

Listen and learn the hard way on the AHA radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. 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 here, 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. This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed human.