The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Colin Cowherd Podcast - Chiefs Start 0-2 After Loss To Eagles, Will Bears BENCH Caleb Williams? Colts & Cowboys Better Than Advertised, Brutal Loss For Broncos

Episode Date: September 15, 2025

Colin is joined by John Middlekauff, host of “3 and Out” to break down all the week 2 NFL action. They start with the Eagles holding off the Chiefs 20-17 and Colin explains why the Eagles are one of the best teams he’s ever seen when it comes to getting a much needed yard and closing tight games, but it’s not time to hit the panic button for the Chiefs (3:30). They recap the Lions absolute trouncing of the Bears and highlight why Caleb Williams has shown he can’t play in a timing offense despite having elite weapons and wonder if the Bears could pull the plug on him (8:45). They discuss a thrilling OT game between the Cowboys and Giants in which we got glimpses of the old Russell Wilson and argue that Dallas has been surprisingly better than predicted (26:30).  They highlight the Steelers offense as a more polished version of the Jets offense from last year and wonder if Aaron Rodgers will survive the full season behind a bad offensive line (38:15). They point to a huge statline from Mac Jones filling in for Brock Purdy and debate whether the 49ers could exceed expectations this season (50:15). They give their takeaways from the Patriots win over the Dolphins, including Drake Maye needing another year and the Dolphins defense being arguably the worst in the league (56:15). They move to the Colts escaping the Broncos with a win, the resurrection of Daniel Jones and argue the Colts will be better than advertised (1:00:15). Despite the loss, Colin still believes Denver makes the playoffs and could win the division (1:04:00). They recap the Rams win over the Titans and a huge game for Davante Adams and debate whether the Rams should be considered among the league's best teams (1:07:30). Finally, they discuss Justin Fields leaving yet another game with an injury and why his athleticism and size won’t save him from his inability to read a defense and contrast that to Joe Burrow getting hurt behind a bad offensive line (1:14:00).  All lines provided by hardrock.bet (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements.) Follow Colin and The Volume on Twitter for the latest content and updates!  #VolumeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Three and Out is his podcast. We do our Sunday night hour plus, a lot to talk about. Let's not waste any time. Philly beats Kansas City. 2017, although the deep over-the-top throw by Mahomes made it feel kind of closer than it was. It did feel like in the second half, John, Philadelphia in my lifetime does a better job at one thing than any time I've ever seen. If they need a yard, two yards, or three yards. between the O-line, Hertz, Sequin, and some of their sort of counter-tide-end rollout moves.

I mean, it's just automatic. They are so good. And Hertz, you know, let's be honest, Hertz trailing in the pocket is not my favorite guy in the league. I don't think that's a specialty. But I really, this is one of those games. There was never a point. I kept thinking Philadelphia is going to eventually wear this team down. and I'm kind of surprised Kansas City clawed their way back.

What are your basic interpretations from what you saw? You know, I thought going into that drive where Travis hits off his hands and they pick it off and they take it to the 50 and I mean, that tackle, Josh Simmons running down the field to save the game. I thought if Kansas City scored there. Now, I don't know if they could slow down Philly. They had that time. But, I mean, you just never know with Sequin and like you said, some big playmakers. they were just going to have to win that game on guile toughness. And it was going to be, if they had pulled that off, let's say Kelsey catches it,

or that doesn't happen and they score. Just an incredible championship, like metal type game for them. But they don't have much right now. You know, worthy being hurt, Rice being suspended. You know, I thought Travis was having a good game until that moment. Obviously, Patrick missed, you know, Thornton earlier in that driveway. We ended up hitting him, which might have given them a little more time. They wouldn't have to force it.

Let's face it. city right now. I expected defensively. They got shredded last game against Herbert. And Hurtz shredded them in the Super Bowl. So I knew that they were going to bring it defensively. But offensively, I mean, they got an old Kelsey. Hollywood Brown. Their running backs are okay. They run hard, but are they starting on most good teams in the league? Yeah, I mean, I think they'll be fine when they get Rishi Rice back in four weeks. I think they will. I think they'll find their way. Denver losing a game they should have won today. That's a huge break for them. So, I mean, that game ends up being big for them.

In Monday night football, someone has to lose between the Chargers and the Raiders. So you're not, they're not running away with you. Yeah. But I did feel, and, you know, Chiefs fans don't want to hear this, but I felt like Siriani and Jalen Hertz, Siriani was coaching with a lot of confidence. Like when they took a lead, his whole thing was, guys, we can just ground this out. Let's not take any big. I mean, they didn't take one big shot down the field to Devante Smith, and they hit on that. But I felt Philadelphia's kind of felt like, okay, we're on the road. We have the better roster. We're going to grind these guys out in the second half. And it was just one of those things, especially after that

interception on the deflection. And let's be honest, if you have a great coach, great coordinator, spags, and a great quarterback at home after you were humiliated in the Super Bowl, the game was going to be close. The line was one and a half. I said it Friday on the hurt. I said it, I'm like, guys, it's going to be a close game late, and Philadelphia will situationally get a key first down or four and win. So the game kind of looked like I thought, but I thought Philadelphia, I felt in the fourth quarter, John, they felt they had the game. It's like they brought in a closer in baseball. And they kind of, I mean, how many times did they use the tush push today? Seven, nine?

Yeah, a lot. Well, Brady mentioned it, though, on the goal line play where the two guys jumped off size, they didn't call it, and that that obviously was a huge play in the game. I do think the chiefs, they gave everything they have. They just don't have much right now. And one elephant in the room is Kelsey's old now. Now, granted, he was having a good game relative to what he's been in the regular season. But man, that play where the dude picks it off and takes it to midfield and they end up scoring was a crippling moment for a team. This is not the 2019, 2020, 2020 version. They cannot score against, let's face, face it's playing Victor,

Fangio, who's one of, if not the best defensive coordinator in the league, with just a really good defensive personnel, right? I mean, you see Jordan Davis looks, look how that guy physically looks fantastic. Obviously, Jaylon Carter's one of the best players. You know, Vaughn, all their, you know, defensive backs. Mitchell's a really good player. So that's a tough loss. I mean, that's pretty devastating because you threw everything you had. Your coaching was at a high level. Your quarterback was just trying to will his way. and you're just still not good enough, right? So you've had two straight weeks, right?

You know, the Eagles are going to be one of the best teams in the league all season long. The Chargers, obviously, if Herbert's going to play at that level, they're going to be an awesome team. And you've lost two games, right? It gets really good teams. That's where it's like, you hope once these guys come back, rice off the suspension. You know, if Worthy can get healthy, you're just going to have to win these games off guile and toughness. But eventually you kind of run out of gas, right? And Denver's got a better roster, but Denver gave that game away late today against Indie,

three dumb penalties in the last 420. So again, you get a break in division and the Chargers probably beat the Raiders. So, you know, I still contend they're going to be a wildcard team in this division. They'll be fine. All right, time to look at this weekend's tastiest matchup in this week's Sunday night foodball brought to you by Uber Eats, a company I use all the time. A game that was hard to watch, but I watched almost all of it. Detroit 52, Bears 21.

outside of Roma Dunzee for the Bears. Not much worked. You know, I was... And by the way, the Lions, they go for it. So not kicking field goals. That's just who they are. That's Dan Campbell.

So you got to get over that Bears fan. But I got to tell you, I watched that game today. And after the first drive, take the first drive out, last couple of weeks, bears have looked fine. It's a timing offense. And Caleb Williams does not appear to see the field. once he's off script and it just becomes ad-libbing. It's backyard football.

I don't think this is going to work. I don't. It's the second week in a row. The first series, again, they dial up. They got about eight to ten plays. It looks fine. It's very tight. But how many plays can you script?

And then they go off script. And he clearly, Caleb doesn't see the field particularly well. And then he's flushed out of the pocket. he made six, seven, eight throws today rolling to his right. He just kind of threw it up for grabs. A couple were picked. A couple were caught. But, you know, I'm looking at my notes here.

And I just keep writing. They're ad-libbing. Again, ad-libbing. I mean, there's just nothing about it except Roma Dunzae. You'd feel good. By the way, Luther Burden, Missouri. Did he play? Did he suit up?

Loveland, the kid, Michigan. Cortland, Loveland, or is it Loveland, Cortland? I forget. The Michigan, the Michigan tied in. He had no catches. So, I mean, like, they have weapons. They've drafted good players. They can't get them the ball. I think this thing could go sideways real fast. You know what I wrote down? I watched two documentaries in the last week, Billy Joel and Charlie Sheen. And whenever they get married, you could see the divorce coming from a mile away, especially with Charlie. And in this situation, I've been saying it from, it doesn't just speak for quarterbacks.

In the NFL, you could be a talented player. And Caleb, to me, is a major question mark. But we have seen Hall of Fame guys get with the wrong coordinator and it not work. Scheme is in basketball, whatever plays you're running, if I'm a great player, you're going to make it work and I'm not going anywhere. That's not the way football works. Then you factor in, like you said, there was a interception he threw today. There was classic USC, he rolls to his right, hero ball, throws an awful pick, it leads to a touchdown.

I can't remember if it was 14-14 at the time or 21-14, but it was one of those plays. They show Ben Johnson getting really mad. That cannot happen, right? Obviously, there are going to be plays where nothing's there. The Lions are going to be hard to beat at home. I like the Lions a lot today in this game, but I didn't expect to see 50 to 20 or whatever the final score was. but this is a marriage that is not meant to be. Their styles do not mesh up.

And we have seen time and time again that these coordinators with quarterbacks when I do not pick you. Here's the thing with Bo Nix, who threw a bad second half pick. He played an excellent first half. Sean Peyton is tied to him. That's his guy. He loved him. There is a, like that power of when I draft you,

when I believed in you from before you become an NFL player is powerful. That is not, Ben Johnson took this job, maybe intrigued by Caleb, but you see through two weeks his, his mannerisms on the sideline with his face. And it's, this was an Iber flus game. I mean, this was pretty embarrassing. It's not all Caleb's fault. This was not like, he was worse last week. But this is not, this, the bears are a joke, Colin. You and I've been talking.

The organization, I wrote down Ryan Poles, is this roster, the most overrated roster? We've heard in that last couple years, listen, the lions are missing players from last. year and that looked like Georgia playing Cal Poly or something. It was crazy. Yeah, and I, it's funny. I remember before Caleb got drafted, a good friend of mine is Steve Kime. And I said, you know, what do you make a jumping in the stands for Caleb Williams with his mom and crying and the fingernail polish? And Steve's not a real judgmental guy. And Steve was like, don't love it. He goes, you know, if a guy's talented, he's telling, he goes, but he's a very emotional player. And he goes, you know, and Steve has taught me this through the years.

Like, quarterback's one of those positions where you really need somebody that's even keel and puts out fires. Football is an incredibly emotional game. And as your teammates are getting emotional and the coaches are getting emotional. You know, when you're on, Tom Brady loved to celebrate. But in the moment of a game, Tom was very even keel. And Caleb's a very, you can see his sideline demeanor. He plays with a ton of emotion. and he gets really amped up.

He also lose, I think sometimes Caleb loses confidence when I watch him. Like his accuracy is all over the map. So that feels like a confidence and mechanics issue. And I don't know. I just look at it and I think this is a, this coach wants a certain quarterback stylistically, probably much more like Sean Payton, where you can augment the timing game with, I mean, Bo Nix and Sean, Bo moves, they move the pocket a lot for Bo Nix, as you should.

But there's, I sat there today and my notes are all negative on Chicago. There was a couple plays today in, and I'll take the L on Jalen Hertz, I never thought in a million years he would be a functional NFL quarterback, let alone a Super Bowl champion. And we can debate where he ranks or whatever, but there were a couple plays today where Spags bring. the entire house. And he sits in there to the last second and he throws his one-on-one matchup and he's going to get just mollywopped. And one, he hit the Smith and I think he missed

another one. But it's just, this guy just kind of knows what he's doing. And he's a athletic ad lib in theory, but he can play in big spots. Caleb, when sometimes there's pressure and there's nothing you can do, you got to kind of scramble. There are times where it's just like he's just taken off. For years, Mark Schlerth was one of the only guys saying everyone acts like these offensive lineman in Seattle suck. Maybe some of it's Russell Wilson, right? And remember, he would just run into sacks. And you watch him today, when that head goes down and you just scramble into guys, that is quarterback 101 that the coaches hate, right? Head down. And his head goes down and then he moves all the time. Like Mahomes, whether he misses or makes the throw, his head's

always up moving around. Jalen Hertz. Even Kyler. Kyler's head is up. Now, he scrambles probably sometimes at the wrong time, but his heads up looking to throw. Caleb just looks in the ground and then it becomes, there's no way this is sustainable. Obviously, you start losing like this, but Ben Johnson's not going down with the ship with this guy. Why? Because Sean Payton will go down with Bo Nix, right?

Andy Reid will go down with Mahomes. I'm not comparing those two situations, but my point is I'm all in on this guy. You can't convince me after a couple weeks that Ben Johnson is going to be all in with this guy for 17 games. It's not possible. They're clearly the worst team in there. I mean, the Packers looks like a juggernaut. The Lions, turns out they're not as bad. Why? Because the Packers are really good. And we'll see how Minnesota looks tonight. But clearly, Minnesota is just, they just beat the Bears. So, I mean, they're just a better operation. The Bears are in major trouble, going on.

Yeah. And there's a reason in the preseason that Ben Johnson made a point. I mean, remember, we came on this podcast and we said, he was gloom. with Tyson Bajun. He's so smart. Man, he's having a great camp. And about a week later, they signed him to a very big backup contract. I think Caleb gets one more start. And if it's ugly, can Ben come out and go listen? Caleb's going to be fine. You sell that to the media. But he needs a week off. He needs to get some stuff right. We need to figure out a way to get this ship going, I could see one more start. I really could. And then you go to Tyson Bayesian. I would say you're crazy because once you bench him, you're done. But we just saw last year,

who knows, I mean, Bryce Young is any good or not. I have my reservations at this point. But Panthers just did it. And he was the number one overall pick as well. So there's precedent in the league of like, hey, you can bench a guy and bring them back. What are the bears going to do? Lose more games? I mean, what are we talking about at this point? So I would say moving forward, everything's on the table. And if you're Ben Johnson, like, you clearly don't care about feelings. You know, the one thing I didn't quite realize, he's wired. You know, he's not like a loosey-goosey offensive coach, you know, like Kevin O'Connell, Sean McVeigh always smiling. Like, he feels more like a Shanahan son, like kind of angry, never smiles. Like this, this is just,

it's way, I bet against it to jump from the jump. It's way ugler than I thought. And today was like a referendum, not just on Caleb, the entire organization. I mean, Ryan Poles, the ruff. That's the other thing. I've watched Penix. I would make a bet now that he can play. I've watched J.J. McCarthy to some degree, and it helps that he has Kevin O'Connell and Brian Flores, but he'll be able to play. Bo Nix can play. Jayden's a star. Drake May doesn't have a ton of pocket presence. But again, today, he moves the chains. I don't think he's great. I think he needs another year. I mean, that's what they said about Drake May when he came in. He is unrefined. But it is very possible for. what I've seen, and it's not close. We're going to have five hits and one miss, and the number one guy is going to be the worst quarterback in the class. I think the thing with Caleb Williams, yeah, I mean, it's sure headed that way right now. I mean, he's a disaster. I don't care what stats you give me last year is I think when you have that great of an arm, and Caleb has a fantastic arm, I think sometimes you, in which is human nature, maybe you struggle to develop

other parts of your game and the touch on his ball. To me, that's glaring. Like, he just has no touch on the ball. And he's one of those guys that feels like he really struggles to kind of throw a softball, a change up. Because watching him play, did you realize he was this good of an athlete in college? I knew he could scramble around, but he moves really well. And he's thick in person when you see him, his head, his shoulders.

He's six feet tall. He feels when you're around him like he's six four. He is thick and powerful. And wasn't that the thing with young Russ Wilson? It's like, hey, he's got a huge arm, throws a great deep ball. But Russ had a lot of touch. And maybe it was that, was he a second baseman? Yeah.

He had some feel to him. And you watch Caleb, like, he could not play second base. That ball would be Chuck Knoblock all over the place. And that, to me, is where you get the Ben Johnson stuff is like, well, a huge part of his offense and his entire scheme is touch place. Look at Jared Gop today. A lot of it, it's, I mean, he threw. a couple bombs, but it's a lot of just get the ball out of your hands, a couple steps,

throw it across the middle, hit guys in stride. Even if you miss a little bit, throw it behind, give him a catchable ball. Caleb throws some balls that even Randy Moss or, you know, Jared Rice at their prime would have a problem catch. Yeah, he rolls out a lot. I think the one point you made that I really agree with is that he just puts his head down and he is now a running back. and then they're just, it's just not working. Again, Roma Dunzee is a very good player, but where's Luther Burden, this kid from Missouri? I mean, Colston Loveland, you know, the tight end from Michigan, where are they?

I mean, it's just you've got to use, I mean, I'm watching all these, Bo Nicks is getting everybody touches for the Denver Broncos, Franklin, the Oregon kid, Mims, everybody's, the tight ends. I mean, he's spraying the ball around. Everybody's getting touches. I mean, in Chicago, it's like, if you're the GM, you've got to be watching this thing. And, bro, these are good players. So I'm almost interested in watching Tyson Bayesian.

I think offensively, I think they actually have some skill. And they're just not, they're not, Caleb's not equipped to get them the ball. Well, look at, and I'm sure we'll talk about this game, is the thing that stood out to me, now whether they got lucky to win the game, we could probably argue all day long. Indianapolis Colts, obviously in a perfect world, you would get a star quarterback. But if you just get me a point guard that can get me double-digit assists, even if he can't score. And Daniel Jones actually is playing pretty well this year. But he's getting – they got good players.

They got three or four wide receivers. They got this top 10 – or I guess he's the 15th fit because he went after leveling. He was making plays all day. They have a star running back. And you're watching a guy just distribute. And you're like, this team's pretty physically gifted on their skill positions. Right. But you didn't feel that with Anthony Richardson because balls are skipping.

He's running. He's getting sacked. And Daniel Jones, just get it to the boys. They scored them. Get it to the guys. They're just making plays. They were 10 for 10. They're their first 10 possessions this year.

And to your point, their roster is excellent. I don't think Indy's a great team, but it's a prime example is they have a good roster and they're using every player on their roster offensively. Every single one is contributing. That was this week's Sunday night football brought to you by Uber Eats. When football makes you hungry, get game day deals on Uber Eats. I do every week. The official on-demand delivery.

partner of the NFL. Order now. I just did. Hey, it's us, the Jonas Brothers, and guess what? We have some big news. What's the news, name? Huge news. We created our own podcast called, Hey Jonas. We invented a podcast. Well, we didn't invent it. We just contributed to a podcast. We're the first people to do podcasts. Pretty, yeah, pretty wide range of podcasts throughout there. But this one's extra special. So how do we actually come up with a name Hey Jonas, guys? I honestly don't remember. I think it was on a call about what we should call it. Well, we were thinking I'm originally calling it one of the early names of our band before Jonas Brothers. This is how you guys remember it going down?

Yes. I have a very different memory of this. We were talking about a thing, a bit for the podcast, for people could call in and say, hey, Jonas. And then I wrote down on my little notepad, Hey Jonas, and offered it up as a potential title for the podcast. But thanks for remembering that, guys. Listen to Hey Jonas on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Just listen. We don't care where you hear it. 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 I-Heart Radio

app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind. Highlights are trending, opinions are flying, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo. Every episode, we're cutting through the noise, breaking down the plays, the controversies, and the stories behind the headlines.

We go straight to the source, the athletes themselves. Their locker room stories, their reactions, the stuff nobody gets to hear. The laughs, the drama, the triumphs, the moments. that never make the highlight real. From viral moments to historic games, from buzzer beaters to controversial calls, we break it down, give you context, and ask the questions everybody wants answered.

SportsSlice brings you closer to the action with stories told by the people who live them. Listen to SportsSlice on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Slices Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Jacob Kingston grew up in an isolated polygamous sect. We were God's chosen.

kingdom on earth. He felt destined for greatness. So when a swaggering Armenian businessman catapults Jacob into an extraordinary world, he doesn't look back. Ferraris and Lamborghinis, private jets, meeting the president of Turkey. I'm Michelle McPhee, and this is one of the most shocking criminal conspiracies I've ever come across. When Jacob met Levin this went to a billion dollar fraud. But with two kings from entirely different worlds, just how long can their empire survive? The largest tax investigation in American history. You need to tell me what you know. Is somebody coming after me? Jacob told Levan, you're ruining my life. Listen to Kingdom of Fraud on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Okay, let's talk Dallas 40, New York Giants 37.

in the early window has given us some gems. I mean, there were five lead changes in the fourth quarter. Dallas prevails. Russell Wilson played brilliantly at a terrible pick on an alley-ute ball in overtime. Dak had a huge run that set up the game-winning field goal. You know, I think my takeaway in this was that until that terrible pick in overtime, I thought both quarterbacks played really, really well. And it did remind me a little bit of old Russ, where Russ was good moving.

Russ was good on stuff underneath 12 yards and closer. And Russ was good deep. The problem is if he, and neighbors is a, and where both good deep receivers. The problem is if he doesn't have that and you ask him to dissect a defense with seam routes, that's not what he does. He can move around and he throws a really nice deep ball. Now, he had one terrible pick in OT. but it did look, it Jackson Dart came in for a player too, but it did look a little bit like

the old Russell Wilson, did it not? It did. And listen, I'm not trying to diminish what we witnessed. It was really, it was fun throughout the game. His pick had a little, I would say, reminiscent of like that farv pick in a playoff game out of nowhere because he's playing a great game and all of a sudden the ball down the middle of the field. The Cowboys defense could just be horrendous. Like they could be really, really bad because it's not normal to throw.

go routes over and over. And you don't do that against any other team. And I think Olson pointed this out. Like there is no disputing in his heyday. He was as good of a deep ball, go ball, airing it out quarterback as we've ever seen. I mean, definitely of his error, he's the best. I mean, you see Mahomes overthrow. I mean, he throws a beautiful go route.

And it was fun to watch. I also think that there was a moment that got the Cowboys, they have this weapon. I mean, the kid didn't even play college football. He was a Notre Dame soccer player. Colin, you've been watching football longer than me. When have you ever seen people comfortable kicking 60-plus-yard field goals? I mean, that's, this is unheard of. I mean, that would have been good from 70 yards.

But the Giants, you know, part of zone defense is you go to spots, right? There's a point in time in football where it's like, you can't just drop to your landmark when the game is on the line and Ferguson's running right down the field. move over a couple yards and cover them. They just gave Dak Prescott and Ferguson like a 20-yard gain and it put Brent. And it's like, that's low-level football. And that play won't be talked about, but you should never allow them. And even Olson's like, why are they playing so far off?

You're just giving them. They got good skill players. I mean, the giant should have. I can't even imagine if you're Brian Dayball. Like, if I can't win this game, what game am I going to win? Yeah, and I've defended Brian Dayball. but there were 26 penalties in this game. I thought the Giants multiple times had this game won.

I will say this. I was harsh. You know, maybe I'm too harsh sometimes. But, you know, Brian Schottenheimer had not interviewed for a head coaching job in 14 years. And the people in the league that I talked to, he's an old school offensive coach. Now, he's an offensive coach, but he's very old school. He's not innovative and creative. He's not, you know, he's not like a lot of these guys that we, you know, Liam Collins or McVeigh or a Kevin O'Connell.

But I will say he is a walk-around coach where he lets his assistance coach. Now, maybe that bites him later. But I got to tell you, when I watch DAC, Dak is comfortable. George Pickett is made an immediate impact. They're getting the ball to CD Lamb. I think their offensive lines playing pretty well. It definitely is. Yeah, their secondary is not great.

I mean, it's just their defensive personnel isn't great. but their offensive personnel is okay and they look fairly well coached. I always judge this. Are you getting the ball to the right people? They are. They're getting the ball to the right players. And, you know, I'll say this for DAC. I mean, I think his numbers 33 of 45, 293 yards.

I think, you know, sometimes you have these surgeries and you're never the same. And sometimes you have them, they clean stuff up. I think Dak's got some juice. I think he looks really alive and really active. And even though they're only one-and-one and could be 0-and-2, they went straight up against Philadelphia, played him as close or better than Kansas City, and they won a game they could have lost all those lead changes.

I think Dallas, even though they're just one-in-one, is one of the surprises of the league so far. They look very competent. Well, I'll say this. You know, George Pickens, for the majority of playoff teams, I don't think they would mess with. Like, I can't see Sean McDermott dealing with them. I can't see Sean McDermott dealing with them because there will be plays that are there to be made.

And he just kind of like, whatever, kind of puts his hands up. But then he also makes really good plays once the ball is in his hands. And listen, when you are the Cowboys coach, you don't pick the players. You have nothing to do with the roster. You just coach the team. And they are force feeding him the ball. And he has added an element to their team that, let's face it, they didn't have last year because they didn't have a number two wide receiver. So to go along with C.D. Lamb, Ferguson's a good player.

Javante Williams, he was a hyped guy coming out of college, had that bad knee injury. He's playing, he just gives them, I mean, they did not have a running back last year. I mean, they had no running back. So you get him, like you said, if you told me Brian Schottenheimer took over the bears, like he would be done from the beginning, like most guys probably. But some of these, DAC is a professional quarterback. Yes. And if he's going to be healthy, that is, you know, it's a pretty good landing spot. Now, defensively, I mean, how many games are you going to win 43 to 40? They don't have a lot.

They don't have a lot of games because they can't stop the soul. But offensively, which is his side of the ball, they have been really good through two games. I mean, really good. Yeah. And again, it's, you know, it's hard to predict who's going to work. Half of these coordinators don't work at all. Liam Cohen today with Jacksonville. Jesus, he's barking at Trevor Lawrence.

They got Ryan Thomas doesn't want to be shying away from contract. That thing could unravel. It's Jacksonville. It could unravel by next week. You know, Zach Taylor can't went in September. Burroughs hurt again. I mean, there's a lot of offensive coaches. We don't know how good they are.

So, and a lot of, you know, it's just very hard in this league to know. We knew Andy Reed was going to succeed when he went to Kansas City. We knew Harbaal was going to succeed with the Chargers. Dan Quinn felt like, you know, he knows what he's doing with Cliff Kingsbury. But with Brian Schottenheimer, I've got to be fair about this, is I didn't think it was going to work. I thought he was over his head. But, you know, here's the other thing. Dak was good with Jason Garrett.

He was good with Mike McCarthy. And Dak is good with Brian Schottenheimer. Dak's pretty good. Yeah, he is. I just think, like, we just have to embrace. He is what he, you know, he's the seventh, eighth, ninth guy. He's never going to be a top five quarterback. And if you get him the personnel, a.

running game, the offensive line. Here's where I'll give Jerry Slash's personal people credit. Look at the Bears. Like Rome had a good game and I'd say relative to where he's been drafted, pretty overwhelming, right? Relative to I think people are hoping he'd be a superstar and we'll see. But like if you could do that over, they would have taken offensive linemen if you were the Bears. Take a tackle, the kid from Penn State, right? If they could do it, that's who you would take. Jerry, they are valuing, you know, they traded Michael Parsons,

but they drafted him high. They drafts past rushers, defensive linemen, offensive linemen. Like, they do have the right philosophical belief on how to build a team. And, John, remember when the Lakers traded Shaq, they were going to lose that trade the first two years because Shaq went to Miami. But it was the right decision. Shaq fell apart physically, didn't practice as hard. So you just had to eat a dirt sandwich for a year knowing you'd get crushed if you were

the Lakers because you traded the much more likable and popular Shaq, who went to an excellent organization and won a title. But over a course of the next eight years, Kobe, who was obsessed with practice and games, was the better move. When you traded Mike into Green Bay, you are going to lose for a year. You're going to lose that trade. But next draft, Dallas could turn those two ones because Dax's playing at a high level. They don't need a quarterback. If they end up with 11th pick, somebody's moving up for a quarterback. And they could get another two, another three, another four. Dallas may be able to, and next year's draft is considered above average, Dallas could restock its entire roster next year. So yeah, you're

going to lose them because Micah's playing for the Packers. And it's a team that just needed Micah. They just needed a playmaker. And so you're going to be reminded every Sunday or Monday. God, what were we doing? Wait till April and Dallas is going to look really smart. The timing for Jerry, Jerry should have done it before the draft, but obviously once he did it, he didn't want to trade him to the Packers. Did you read the story? He tried to trade him to Jets? And they're like, yeah, we just wanted the money or whatever. So at least Jerry knew. And Philly gave him the best offer, but obviously you can't trade him to Philly.

But Green Bay, were you a little surprised that they were really the only team willing? Because obviously not shocked at all Howie and Jeffrey Lurie were willing. But none of the AFC teams, and I understand cap-wise would be a little. But if you're Buffalo, I mean, imagine if Buffalo had done that. Green Bay, because if you really look at what Green Bay is, they have their quarterback, they have their weapons, they have their interior linemen, they have their tight ends, they have their coach, they have their star back, they're one of those teams that can give away first round picks the next two years. They really can. I mean, what they can't guarantee is that Micah would be available because they're going to draft deep at the end of the first round. So Green Bay is like, we can get a guy that would be a lottery pick player.

We never get into the lottery pick. We give up a one. So I think it makes a ton of sense for Green Bay. Dallas needs players. I mean, they're defense. I mean, you could go into next year's draft, which is a good quarterback draft. If Dallas's first six picks were defense, you'd be like, yeah, absolutely. I mean, you could see them doing that.

Maybe you're running back at some point in the first five picks, but I think it works for both teams. it's just going to look bad for Dallas until April. Well, and one thing, watching the Chiefs today who obviously are going to be good on defense and have excellent team speed, you know, Jalen couldn't just run around today. And if you're the Packers, like, who are you, who are the top couple teams you need to beat? Well, it's obviously the Eagles. And remember that playoff game against Green Bay, or, I mean, against Philly for Green Bay, Jaylon made some big time plays with his legs.

Now you're watching, their whole defense feels faster with Micah. Right. And obviously, Micah's speed is, you know, pretty a lot. elite for an edge rusher. And he does feel it's pretty rare in football. Like Buffalo, are they truly a player away? I feel like on the defense, they need a couple players. Like the Green Bay looking at it and they kind of feel like they were a player away.

Now, I'm not saying the bills can't win the Super Bowl, but I don't know if they were a player away. So maybe that's how they justified not making the trade. Green Bay didn't want to trade Kenny Clark. But the truth is they did and they're fine. They have, they've, you know, they just draft well. You go to the last 30 years. They draft well. When's the last time they missed?

on a wide receiver, a tight end. They just don't. Been a while. Yeah. So, all right, here's a game that there's a lot to discuss. Seattle 31, Pittsburgh 17. It looks like Seattle had a dynamic day offensively. They didn't.

Pittsburgh gave them a touchdown. It was 14 to 14. It felt like for a long stretch. I had the under on this game. I felt great until Caleb Johnson forgot the rules on the kickoff. So, you know, again, this game, two takeaways before I get to the botched play by the Steelers. They can't run the ball.

It does feel a lot like the Jets offense. It's an average offensive line, just like New York. They can't run the ball. They average three yards to carry against Seattle. Aaron had a couple of picks. He was 18 for 33. One of his receivers made a mistake in the red zone, ran the wrong route. So I listened to his postgame today, and it sounded a lot like Aaron Rogers with the Jets,

where he's playing with some young guys that aren't up to his speed. And truth is, Aaron's really smart. It's hard as a young player to be up with him intellectually and cerebrally, because Aaron's playing upstairs another level in the most guys, like an older Brady. So, you know, my take is, I said this before. I think this is one of the ones I'm right on. I said they won't run the ball because Tomlin can't figure out the O line. the O line will be maybe better than the Jets, but not great.

It's going to feel like a much more refined, polished, well-run version of the Jets. And I got to be honest with you, John, that's what the offense looks like. You said average offensive line. That feels like a stretch to me. I might even go below average. And maybe once you start paying all these guys, I would put Cincinnati in the same kind of vein, the offensive line. Like the resource, because if you miss on a draft pick, all of a sudden Aaron, who can't really move as well anymore, even when he makes his great play scrambling and it feels like he's kind of moving in quicksand, relative to the guy that we, you know, knew a decade ago when he was younger. Their offensive line is getting him killed.

And to me, the thing is, one, how often you're going to see 10 points scored in two plays. They kick a field goal. They kick it off. And when he touched, Caleb Johnson, who I was high on, I like that Iowa has clearly been a disaster. disaster. I mean, that play, I don't, if you told me next week, he's inactive as of like, we just, we talk about a guy that needs a break. Like, what was that?

He just quit. Maybe he doesn't know the rule, which to me would also be on the coach and they have a great special teams coach. But that was, they got the ball back. You know, they kick a field goal and it is 24 to 17. And the defense just needs to get to stop. Well, you know, they're paying T.J. Watt. Cam Hayward's getting a raise.

They get these two DBs. They're the Pittsburgh Steelers. And Seattle goes right down and scores a touchdown. It's like, well, if you were going to be decent at all this year and be real like, okay, this is finally the year with Aaron Rogers, you can win a playoff game. You were going to be a top two or three defense. You know, and the defense right now through two games is nowhere near. I mean, Sam Donald throws a couple picks early in the game.

This should be a game that they dominate this team. Seattle's got one wide receiver who's an excellent player, but it's not like they got some potent offense. You know, Seattle can only win one way. It's got to be low scoring. It's got to be, you know, Sam had an occasional big play. You know, Aaron, when he throws the ball to DK Metcalf, then he had one of the tied-in and the end zone. Aaron still throws that red zone as well as anybody in the league. But the question is how often with this whole line and run game are they going to get into the red zone? Aaron, Aaron needs certain things, protection. He throws a beautiful ball, those back shoulder throws. It's gorgeous. It's as good as anybody that's ever thrown. own it. But I look at Pittsburgh and between the snafu on the kickoff, the lack of the run game, it's just, it is exactly the Jets, but it's just a much less chaotic organization. Well, exactly. And isn't that, you know, Mike Tomlin, this $15, $20 million coach, they're going to be, you would just say, hey, they're going to be buttoned up, a well-run operation, even whether they have

the high-end talent or not, they're going to be buttoned up, and they're going to be tough. While I'm watching this team, they don't physically look as tough as they've been. some of his heyday teams and buttoned up. I mean, they got this rookie out there that doesn't even know what's going on, just hands over seven points in a game that, I mean, that was the game right there. I mean, once that play happens, it's like that, that derailed them, which it would derail any team, but how can that happen? And, you know, the old adage, you're coaching allowing it to happen. How are you having the kid out there? If he's been that big of a disaster for you to even put him in that situation, I think, you know, their roster, and listen, maybe I did,

I overrated a little bit because they're forcing, obviously they're putting him out there. He's their best option. Maybe they're not as good as you think. And, you know, Aaron Rogers getting peppered. You know, I'd say the same thing about Cincinnati. I'm like, I think they could be, well, if your offensive line is a shift and can't block a soul, the NFL, I mean, you can play average teams. They're going to have some pass rush. Your quarterback's going to get killed.

So unless you've got Lamar Jackson back there, these guys are going to get hit. And all of a sudden, is Aaron Rogers the way it's going right now? Is he going to make it 17 games at this age? He's getting peppered like he is? You know, it's, you know, Aaron had an eye roll moment, and then he called out a teammate at the podium after. He was right. But generally, I mean, Bo Nix could call out three of his teammates today. He did they, that kick, they had the game on.

Bo Nix is not going to go to the podium and call people out. But that's Aaron's sense of value that he's just going to do it. So it's feeling to me a lot like the Jets, where Aaron's going to call out teammates. He's going to have weird body language. they'll be the occasional eye roll. He'll be like, well, you know, we got some young players. Listen, go watch the Denver indie game. Denver made three idiotic.

Sean Payton and Bo Nick. That's just part of pro sports. The game is fast. The rosters are younger than they've ever been. So I, listen, Seattle wins one way. It was a nice win for Seattle. I mean, if you go into the season and you're like, hey, we go on the road and beat Pittsburgh. I don't care of good Pittsburgh is.

That's a big W for them. That feels great for sure. 100%. Well, I'm fired up to announce Hard Rock Bet as the volume's new presenting sponsor. Everybody knows Hard Rock Hotels and Cicitos are iconic for entertainment. Well, now the Hard Rock Bet app brings more energy and excitement than ever to the world of sports betting. What does it mean for you? Well, here at the volume, you'll start to see us use Hard Rock Bet's lines when talking about the biggest games, college or pro.

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We created our own podcast called, Hey, Jonas. We invented a podcast? Well, we didn't invent it. We just contributed to it. First people to do podcasts. Pretty, yeah, pretty wide range of podcasts. We're starting a trend. But this one's extra special.

So how do we actually come up with a name, Hey Jonas, guys? I honestly don't remember. I think it was on a call about what we should call it. Well, we were thinking I'm originally calling it one of the early names of our band before Jonas Brothers. This is how you guys remember it going down? Yes.

I have a very different memory of this. We were talking about a thing, a bit for the podcast. We could call in and say, hey, Jonas. And then I wrote down on my little notepad, Hey Jonas, and offered it up as a potential title for the podcast. But thanks for remembering that, guys. Listen to Hey Jonas on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Just listen. We don't care where you hear it.

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, S&Lis. NFL'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. 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.

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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 iHeartRadio app. Search Learn the hard way and listen now. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind. Highlights are trending, opinions are flying, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in.

Timbo. Every episode, we're cutting through the noise. Breaking down the plays, the controversies, and the stories behind the headlines. We go straight to the source, the athlete themselves. Their locker room stories, their reactions, the stuff nobody gets to hear. The laughs, the drama, the triumphs, the moments that never make the highlight real. From viral moments to historic games, from buzzer beaters to controversial calls, we break it down, give you context and ask the questions everybody wants answered. Sports slice brings you closer to the action with stories told by the live them. Listen to SportsSlic on the iHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts,

or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Sliced Life 12 and the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. I want to talk about this game. It wasn't because I'm never going to do this and not talk Niners. Niners beat New Orleans 2621. So I had a couple

friends. They're like, why pay Brock Purdy? They're laughing. Mac Jones goes 26 of 39, 380 yards, 3 TD's no picks, without Brandon. I, Uke. Excellent on third down.

They had 345 total yards. It is, and I think Kevin O'Connell has this, I think McVeigh, to a degree, has it. I think Brock Purdy moves much better than Mack Jones. But as you noted this week in your podcast, Brock Purdy is hurt again.

So they got a pretty team-friendly deal with Brock Purdy. But Mac Jones, who was, you know, he was done. I mean, the league, like, had said, you're done. And I looked at him today, and John, if I'd never seen him play to go on the road, he was pretty impressive, was he not? Yeah, early on, it was a little bumpy. And even he said, you know, he's worked on his breathing. He was amped up. And Trent Williams essentially looked at him, said, relax, buddy, we're going to be okay. And he calmed down. But as the game went on,

he played really well. Saints defense, I think, is pretty bad. They're back seven. So you're not, It's a little like playing in Miami, and defensively is not very good. But Kyle Shanahan, like this guy coming out for reason, fits his scheme. Like you said, Purdy, to me, is a much better player. Much better, actually. Here's a thing. Yeah, they actually have, I'd say Purdy is a slightly better arm, but neither guy has a great arm. McCaffrey's healthy right now.

He's making a lot of plays. Ricky Pearsall threw two games, looks like a player. Like, Ricky Pearsall's really, really good. Joanne Jennings is healthy. He made some plays today. And Kyle Shanahan, here's what the thing I'll say about, just in, general. If you have a guy that's on a big contract for a starting quarterback, and you can go on the road whether you're playing the best team in the league or the worst team in the league. And the

Saints are not. The Saints actually are better offensively. I think Rattlers look okay. They got Spencer looks okay. I would say this. Your backup quarterback can win you a game. That is a massive win. You earn a contract immediately with one win. And if you have to start two or three games and you get me two wins out of three starts, you're worth 15, 20 million. You're underpaid. So Robert Sala, here's the other thing. They let a lot of guys go. And it wasn't easy for Kyle who cares. And we talk about drafting when coaches get a big say in the draft room. They look at the depth chart, not at the future five years because Kyle Sjanaan is not thinking about 2008. He's thinking about week two, 2025. Robert Sala has been an ass kicker so far for him.

Bosa looks incredible. Fred Warner looks incredible. Look at the Steelers defense, which has given up 400 plus yards in two weeks. Look at what they pay for their defense. It's the most expensive in the league. Look at the names of the Steelers defense. Fred Warner, Bosa, and Alada, who's that? And they've been excellent.

This is also where schedules matter. And when I went to your show in the summer and Edelman came on, he got offended by it. Don't ever say a schedule is easy. Well, that's the Belichick in him talking. Some schedules are easier than others. And going on the road week two at the Saints, instead of having to play the Ravens or the Packers, is a big deal. And are you winning a game in Green Bay or in Buffalo with Mack Jones?

No. But when you have an easier schedule, and listen, the Niners, we talk about coach, quarterback combination. Just go offensive and defensive play caller. Niners are as good as anybody. Kyle Shanahan, Robert Salah. and they have a couple easy games. They take advantage of it. Seattle wasn't an easy game by any means,

but this game is, they get the Cardinals, and they got to do it without Brock Purdy. It is, you know, someone came at me in my DMs on Instagram and was like, you know, Purdy really has only missed a couple games in his career. Well, one major injury he had happened to be in the NFC championship game, so they had a nine-month break. That's a major injury.

So he's had a major elbow injury. He obviously has a pretty major injury right now. I mean, if he's got a potentially a month playing. Yeah, it's a major injury. So these are big injuries. He missed a game last year being banged up. That ultimately my point is like you need him to be available

and it is, you know, he's a smaller player. This injury is a little weird because you didn't even notice it on, like, you know, the burrow thing, like guys get hurt is part of the deal, but a lot of times you see it happen on the field. When you don't see it, it's like when did that happen? Just wear and dare. But the 49ers, two out of the last three years where they deserve credit,

they value the backup quarterback. Sam Darnold two years ago, this year, Mack Jones, Kyle's very comfortable in the guy, he believes in the guy, and it works. Because we see some teams, the last couple of years in Miami, when Tua goes down, they basically just fold. Yeah, and I just think, I think we know there's some really good coaching right now. And I think San Francisco between Kyle and Sala is a top four team. I think Minnesota's, the Rams, Kansas City, obviously. But I do think you look at what the Steelers are paying for their defense, and you look what the Niners have, which is two elite players and then just guys.

I mean, Hufunga was a great player that is now at Denver. Not a good player. It was a great player. It was a pro bowler. All pro. So it's solid. That's why he quickly got a job. I still think he deserves a second head coach.

If you fail with the Jets, it's like, I don't even count it, right? I give him two years. If their defense is good, he's definitely, I mean, he'll get some interviews. Maybe it's a little too quick, but he'll be a head coach again. I mean, it feels like inevitable, too high level of a guy. Okay, a New England beats Miami 33 to 27. So, first of all, you know, Mike McDaniel and the dolphins are a cautionary tale.

If you pay a B quarterback A plus money, you get into trouble. So the roster isn't much. The defense is probably the worst defense in the league. Listen, New England needed that Antonio Gibson return on the kickoff. They found a way to win. And that's what New England is now. They need everybody. Ramandre Stevenson had a great game for them, the running back, who they got, I think, from Oklahoma years and years ago.

He had one of his best games as a pro. Drake May was fine. He's settling in. I think he's just a guy that needs another year. I just think of all those guys had more starts. They were more polished. I don't think Drake May. You know, again, but he's 19 to 23.

He's not throwing interceptions. So, you know, again, it's Miami. But I thought overall, time of possession, New England dominated. They're not going to be, too had a huge pick, which helped seal the win for New England. It was an awful pick. Do you think Mike McDaniel last the season? You know, I think they deserve some. Some credit today, they had a little more fight and spunk in them.

I think most people would have bet on this game to be like a 23 to 3 just beating of just the team quitting. And they definitely did not quit. I think you're a pretty easy grader. You know, B for two. I might go like C plus. He could have B B plus games, but I'd say over the course of the season because the moment the weather turns, he just kind of falls apart. And whenever they have to leave Miami, if he's turning the ball over, he's just. He's probably like a C-minus player.

I just think they got, you know, they went all in on the Tyreek Hill thing, and he had historic year for him a couple years ago. But this thing, all the off-the-field noise, he's not near the same player. It's so many, it's all sizzle. Yes, I mean, they draft Waddle six overall. Again, Waddle's a good player. But can you imagine Jim Harbaugh drafting a small, quick, wide receiver number six overall in the draft? Or do they?

Did they draft Waddle pre or post hill? I think they had traded for, I'd have to look. It might have been a year before or it might have been the same year they traded for him earlier in March. Regardless, I mean, it's like that is not the way good teams build their squad. I mean, the chiefs got Tyreek Hill. Now, granted, there was because off the field, but in the fifth round, if you're going to take wide receivers that high, he better be Julio Jones, size-wise, physicality.

And here's where I overvalued New England. a win to win, especially on the road. Their roster is not as good. Like, their schedule, it's why I bought it into their schedule, but like their teams. You know, John, Christian Gonzalez is pretty important to them, and he's kind of has some durability questions early on his career for sure. A lot of this is in this league is juice. Like, I mean, when you watch the Rams, Devonte Adams today, oh, okay.

He and Stafford are played now. It's Kyron Williams, Devonte Adams, Puka, Nakuwa, Jared Verse. The Rams have five or six players. you're like, oh, they've got juice. They've got guys. New England just doesn't have enough. Again, Romandre Strevenson had a great game. Gibson, tremendous game. But I think I probably, I was like you. I looked at the schedule. I didn't, I thought the dolphins were circling the drain. Jets are the jets. And I just looked around the league and I just thought, I don't trust anybody. The Indianapolis Colts are absolutely better than I thought. And New England is not as good as I thought today.

Yeah, to me, if you had to say there was one playoff spot, would you bet on Indy or New England as like a seven-seat? It wouldn't even hesitate. Honestly, Indy, like, they can win that division, right? I mean, they have a lot of offensive talent. If Daniel Jones is going to play like this, and part of being a dome team is like he's not playing outdoors in a lot of these games. So their team's speed was evident today against one of the fastest defenses in the league. Yeah, Colts beat Denver, 3128. They get a do-over, a mulligan on the kick at the end of the game because of a penalty by Denver.

And I got to be honest, the Daniel Jones resurrection, again, he's mostly a distributor, but he's a big guy. He can take a pounding. Give him credit. He can take a hit. He's a big, strong kid. He moves pretty well. And, you know, and I like Brian Dable, but you know, but you know, he's a big, he's a big, strong kid. but Shane Stike, and maybe it's just because, to your point, Colts have a better roster.

I mean, Chris Bowler, I texted him this summer. I'm like, nobody wants to admit this, but I'm like, you have good players. Like, I mean, Jonathan Taylor's a top five back. Warren today, he made was excellent. Oh, my God, he made Bronco linebackers. I mean, he was cutting back, and he's very good after the catch for a tight end. But Denver really struggled when he got the ball in space. And again, they have Pittman, Peter.

I mean, they're good. I mean, Indy's got good players. They're not a great team because Jones isn't a great quarterback. But to drop 31 against Denver, a hyper-aggressive team with the best corner in the league and that led the NFL in Sacks and probably will again, my takeaway today was, I made a mistake. Indies better than I thought. Yeah, I mean, we have an example. To me, his comp coming out of Duke was Alex Smith.

and we saw Alex Smith, those guys aren't physically gifted enough. If it gets weird, if someone doesn't believe in them, it can look really, really bad because their floor is really, really low. But if they get in the right spot, Alex got with Harbaugh, then he got with Andy Reid. And it wasn't debatable. He's just a good player. Now, how good. No one's comparing him to the top guys.

But you can win double-digit games and make the playoffs with this player. And you could argue that Daniel, even relative to Alex, maybe an Alex was older when he resurrected his career it felt like than Daniel is right now. It feels like Daniel's a little bit more explosive as a runner, maybe a little bit better arm. He's a little bigger. He looks bigger. Thicker for sure. Yeah, Alex was felt a little slender.

Alex was tall as well, but you watch Daniel running like, this is a big dude. You know, breaking tackles falling forward. So I'm just, they're skill guys. I mean, Pittman's a really good player. Physical over the middle guy. Warren's a star. One thing, I think sometimes in the draft, and some teams just if they abide by these rules and you're going to miss sometimes,

but let's use the bears. They like Loveland more because he was a more explosive athlete, a little twitcher. Well, I think sometimes we overrate the testing because Warren, when he tests, is not going to test as well as Loveland. But if you watch Warren, let's say against USC last year, like this guy is just a freak. Yeah. Yeah. And then you watch him the day, well, that's as fast of a defense as they're in the NFL. And he's juking guys. He's running by guys. He's just a, you can't fake just being a good player, right?

Charles Barkley had no business at 6'4 being his, but he's just an instinctive. He's natural. He's a great rebounder. Well, he's not seven feet tall, but he'd get rebound over guys that were six foot 10 because he was instinctive. You watch Warren, like, that's elite football instincts. So what do they do? They get him the ball in space and just let the guy make plays. And this is where Shane Stike and his value comes in.

Like, I knew Bo Nix was going to bounce back today. I'm like, well, Sean Payton, they're not going to let a game. Now, he had a pick that kind of killed him at the end, overthrew it. Bad. And I expected Denver to win that game. You know, to start, I had money on Denver. Sure did I. But I was, Bo Nix bounced back, showed some.

Denver has a lot of speed. Like, if you just compare them to Kansas City on offense, they got a ton of playmakers. Franklin, kid from Oregon, Mims, Cortland Sutton, their tight ends, multiple running backs. Harvey, J.K. Dobbins. No, Denver's personnel is strong. Yeah, Beau had a really bad pick. He's an intense kid. He and Sean were barking at each other again late in the game.

But I think Denver, I feel very confident saying this. They're a playoff team. I think they'll win. I was, oh, yeah, I still think they can win the division. I was a little surprised at the end of the game that Stuykin was very conservative. He doesn't have Braden-odry kicking football. I mean, the guy wasn't even close. close. I thought he'd be a little aggressive. His offense had been good. This wasn't a 7-7-tie game.

This was a high-scoring, explosive plays. His quarterback had been playing well. He got very lucky. He played for a 58-yard field goal was. With the ball travel, 46 yards? I mean, you barely even got to the white on the back of the end zone. He got, obviously, that rule, you can't jump over the snapper or whatever, but I don't know. I mean, I thought it got bailed out for bad coaching right there when he had coached a great saying. Yeah, I was the same way. When they just kept running the ball into the line, and by the way, by the second one, on third down, Denver sniffed it out. Denver's like put eight guys in the box. And I'm like, coach, you don't have a kicker that's going to hit a 59-yard kick. So they- And Sean had no timeouts.

He had them on the ropes. He's got, he's got big bodied skill guys when Warren and Pittman. Like, it's not like you've got a bunch of tiny little T. Y. Hilton's out there. Like, you can just run five-yard curls and just move the, you don't have to even throw the ball down the field, but they got lucky to win. That game was, that's one for, I don't know, Denver, that's, you're going to lose some sleep over that loss. That's a bad flight home. That's one of those flights.

Because your quarterback throws three touchdowns in the first half. You're like, God, are they just going to, are they going to win this game by double-digit points? You were up 28-20, I think, 28, 23 late. I mean, the game was really yours. And you were driving. Got it. Their guy missed a field goal, right? Bouncing off the uprights, that kill me.

That is as tough a loss. I mean, that's why, you know, Jimmy Johnson always says, man, nothing's going to kill you more than players that aren't good above the shoulders. They just made. And J.K. Dobbins is a smart guy, but, I mean, he spiked the ball. And it's like it was only a small penalty. But it's like, guys, get it under. When you're on the road, you have to be more buttoned up emotionally because they're going to call stuff on the road. They're not going to call when you're at home.

Okay, Rams 33, Titans 19. Jared Verse and Byron Young wreaked havoc against Tennessee Titans' tackles. They have a very good offensive line coach. But this was a classic game. Devante Adams emerged with six catches, a touchdown, 106 yards. Pucco was great.

Kiron Williams was great. As we said earlier, the Rams have about six or seven guys. Brandon Frisk is one of these guys, verse and young today. They got about six guys in their prime. If Devante Adams, it gives you this going forward.

Puka had eight catches, 11 and a half per catch. Devante had six catches for over 100 yards. And I was watching them today. I thought this was going to be a close game. And Cam Ward got sacked five times. It just, again, everything was speeding up for Cam Ward.

I thought he looked a little bit more poised against Denver than he did at home against the Rams. but Green Bay is the best team I've seen, and Philadelphia is second. Could I argue that the Rams are the third best team in the league? League would be strong, but I'm with you. This was a very impressive win. You had the Titans in the Blazing Five. I thought the Titans were five and a half at home.

I thought it was a – and Rams don't score a lot. When Devante Adams emerged, I'm like, okay, this is significant. I love the Titans in this spot and I'll never gamble on them again. I'll promise you that. That 10 a.m. kickoff for the Niners and the Rams today, that's difficult on your body clock. That's one of the reasons I bet, Tennessee. I don't care if you're playing the Titans and the Saints. That's tough kickoff moments.

You're eating like a pregame meal weight. You know, it throws off. The Rams flipped a switch, I thought, in the middle of this game. It was like, we're not even, you guys are not on our level. And I'm with you. I thought Cam Ward kind of freelance a little bit more today. It does make some, he had one touchdown pass across his body that was called back. It was pretty awesome.

But you can't really function and win like that. But Devante Adams a really good player. Now, is he in his heyday what he was with Aaron Rogers at this point? No. But you've said this. It was pretty clear. They thought it was a big upgrade over Cooper Cup. And Devante brings them, they got two wide receivers they can depend on.

If Stafford, listen, I didn't know because. He would have been banged up. I said, hey, your back issue, 37 years old. But he has looked pretty good. I mean, he is making some throws so far this season. You're like, holy. They would sign up for the playoffs to start right now because they're guys healthy. And they could beat anyone.

So I'm with you. Now, over the course of the next three months, is that back issue just gone? Is he getting weekly shots? Because if he's healthy, here's where I will agree with you. They can beat anything in the league. And they can play on the road or at home against anybody. And to me, it all comes down, like they have the pieces. it's him. We saw them last year.

We're the only team that gave the Eagles any sense of a push down the stretch of the season in the playoffs. But does he look like he has the first couple weeks making some of these throws in December and January? Because if he does, then they can win the Super Bowl. If he doesn't, and I think it's fair to question. I mean, he just missed all of training camp because his back's funky. And at any moment, that's one of those injuries that you just never know. And that's the same thing like with these guys with turf toe. These aren't like a rolled ankle, you know you're going to get a couple weeks.

I break a leg. I know it's six weeks. Like the back thing, it's like, yeah, it could be good for a month. You meet people old and young. All of a sudden it comes back. I can't even get out of bed. So to me, and I've said it from the beginning, it all right. He's out. I'm out on them.

I know McVeigh likes Jimmy Garland. If he's in and he's playing well, he's just healthy, I believe in them against any. Or give them a shot against any. I don't care who they're playing. Green Bay included. J-Lab has the best audio products in the game. At affordable prices, not going to break the bank.

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We created our own podcast called, Hey Jonas. We invented a podcast? Well, we didn't invent it. We just contributed to a podcast. Pretty, yeah, pretty wide range of podcasts throughout there. But this one's extra special. So how do we actually come up with a name, Hey Jonas, guys? I honestly don't remember.

I think it was on a call about what we should call it. And, well, we were thinking I'm originally calling it one of the early names of our band before Jonas Brothers. This is how you guys remember it going down? Yes. I have a very different memory of this. We were talking about a thing, a bit for the podcast, where people could call in and say, hey, Jonas. And then I wrote down on my little notepad, Hey, Jonas, and offered it up as a potential title for the podcast. But thanks for remembering that, guys.

Listen to Hey Jonas on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Just listen. We don't care where you hear it. 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.

Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hardway with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, Keer 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 things. 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, is we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast, Learn the Hardway. Open your free iHeartRadio app. Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. Jacob Kingston grew up in an isolated polygamous sect. We were God's chosen kingdom on earth. He felt destined for greatness.

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Jacob told Levan, you're ruining my life. Listen to Kingdom of Fraud on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. So I want to end with this is that, you know, a lot of times people think injuries are just bad luck. And I think for quarterbacks, they're not. I think there's reasons Joe Burrow keeps getting hurt. He's not terribly thick. The Bengals owner is cheese. They don't have great offensive lines.

There's a reason he keeps getting banged up. Is that Joe Burrow, I think you can say it now, is a little injury prone. Brock Purdy's a little injury prone. But when Justin Fields, so Buffalo blew out the Jets, it wasn't competitive. There's no reason to spend any time talking about it. But Justin Fields, who is a big, strong athlete, if he walked into a room, any room you're standing in, you'd be like, who's that dude? He is a pro athlete.

He's hurt again. And I think I really, I thought a lot about when he got hurt today, and I thought that is the value. One of the things Bo Nix does really well for a young quarterback. I mean, he changes plays at the line of scrimmage a lot. Now, he had 61 college starts, but he did it today against Indy twice. He went up there, and he just changed the total play. He moved everybody out. And I'm like, okay, that's pre-snap stuff.

He saw something he didn't like, and he moved into it. And in one of the instances, he got rid of the ball much more quickly in that, With Justin Fields and some quarterbacks to get hurt when he got hurt again today, I kept thinking he's too big, strong, fast, and nimble to keep getting hurt. If I say Justin Fields and you had to guess, you would say he's had four different injuries. Would you not? It feels like he's been banged up a lot in his career. And I'm watching that today and I'm like, God, how does he gets banged up a lot. And again, the game's not. I mean, Buffalo is going to win that division for as long as they want. They're just going to, if you told me Buffalo wins, 10 straight AFCE starting today, they probably will.

But I think some of these young quarterbacks, the value of pre-snap is that you get rid of the ball. The value of judgment is you don't get hit. I don't think it's just happenstance that, by the way, Brady didn't get hit a lot or Eli never missed starts. I don't think it's all luck or bad luck, John. Well, I would say this about Fields. Honestly, after two series, my TV situation, I turned that game off. I mean, it was like this thing. I was shocked it was 30 to 10 or 3 or whatever the final score was.

The bills could have scored every single drive they wanted to. It's not even a fair fight. I'm with you. They are the new Patriots in that division. They've won, I think, four or five straight years. They're going to win that 12 straight years of Josh Allen's healthy. Fields turns into a running back, and that's one of his great skills. is with the ball in his hands as a playmaker.

Like, he's as talented as most guys in the NFL. So he takes shots. And I think when you look at Lamar, when you watch him play, like, he'll just plop down. He just gets down. He doesn't take these big shots. First year, Lamar took some heat. He took shots. Gotten way better at that.

I'd say Kyler has improved realizing, like, I've got to be careful. But these are some of the great athletes. They don't have the muscle that, you know, fields is definitely thicker than those two guys. Obviously, Lamar's bigger than Kyler. To me, the Burrell thing, like signing Justin Fields, I know he had an all-time great game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Turns out Pittsburgh might just be terrible on defense. Like, Justin Fields kind of is what he is. The Burrell thing, when you don't invest in your offensive line and have a poor offensive line, especially with a guy like Burr, he's a sitting duck.

He's going to get injured. And it does feel, it doesn't parallel each other exactly. But the Andrew Luck situation, their greatest attribute is they are willing to stay in that pocket a little bit extra. Philip Rivers. Those guys were so big. I've said this forever. When I first got into the NFL and even after started going to these games, like Raider games when I was working in radio, every quarterback that came out, Carson Palmer, the Manning, they looked like NBA players, small fours. They were huge. You know, I remember we did the Fox thing and Carson was there. And I was like, I didn't realize how big Carson Ballmer was.

At Hugh Hefner's, the late Hugh Heffner. It was in and. Oh yeah, LACCC. And Peyton was there among a million. There was a million people there. And I think Donovan McNabb. It was just a party in L.A. And it was nothing. It was a, I mean, I got in. That tells you it was in the middle of the day.

And Peyton Manning was the biggest guy there byage. And I'm six to Buck. Now, Peyton, I looked like his little tiny brother. So like, but I just, when I, we have smaller quarterbacks and it's a more athletic position. But there is, I don't think all. all injuries are bad luck. I think there's usually circumstances that provide a path to why you're getting hurt. Yeah, and I just don't think that Joe Burrow thinks sustainable. I mean, you can't get banged up

this consistently because you're getting peppered constantly. And maybe some of it's on him, you know, holds that ball a little bit extra. But I mean, the organization is, we talk about a marriage just destined to fail. This situation is just going to get ugly because we know how stubborn Mike Brown is. I'll say this. I know he threw some interceptions today. When Jake Browning was in college, and I had followed him, he was a full-sum high quarterback in Sacramento. I followed every snap

of Washington. I wouldn't have bet that he made it through one training camp without just being cut, and maybe not even make it through OTAs. He didn't have an arm. He's still in the NFL, and he's a capable player. Like, I, I, that individual, that human being deserves a ton of credit. I would have bet

thousands of dollars that he wouldn't make it more than one season, even on, like, practice squads, Colin. And he's going to have, what do you think, a 14-year career when it's all said and done, just as a backup playing in the league for other? I had. And today is the game-winning touchdown as like the Drew Breeze moment? I mean, what a cool.

I'm blown away by that guy. Jordan Palmer texted me once because I was saying, Jake Browning doesn't have an arm. He's not an NFL quarterback. He's small. He's got like a CFL arm. Jordan Palmer goes, you're wrong. Watch this guy. The next week he just flies through the NFL.

And again, I think when you're a little smaller and don't have a big arm, you have to be better pre-snap. You have to be better with accuracy. So I think all of us know that, right? Like if you weren't the best-looking guy and you wanted to date pretty girls, you had to be funnier. Like, everybody knows what they could. Yeah, I mean, that's the reality for everybody. And so I think when you're a great athlete, like a Justin Fields or a Caleb, and I don't think it's necessarily intentional. But, you know, you've been able to run in high school and college and sometimes in the NFL and pick up first downs.

It's like, you know, do you spend that extra 45 minutes every day on film room, that tedious film room stuff, which you've already looked at eight times? But Drew Brees will look at it 9, 10, 11, 12 times because he's smaller without a big arm and he's aging. And I think it's just the reality of this sport is that when guys get hurt, there's usually a reason. I think the best example in the NFL of a guy who knows his game better than anyone is Jared Guff. he knows exactly what he does not have and he will hit the ground he will throw the ball away obviously he can have games where he looks really bad

but there's a reason that guy is going to make $450 million and throw a ton of touchdowns when it's all said and done because you watch him today he's got to be one of the slowest if not the slowest quarterback in the league he doesn't have some enormous arm but that guy you know even Dak who's a much better athlete

I mean not even close And this version of DAC now has a shattered ankle and a ripped hammy, and he could run circles around Jared just moving. So what Jared is able to do, and this gets back to the Caleb thing, why would Caleb know how to check it down? When the hell has he ever checked it down? In college or in high school, no chance. So now they're trying to teach him that. It's not even that shocking that he doesn't listen. He's like, why would I do that?

I can make all the throws. The problem is the go routes and the bombs, that's not how the NFL really works. Peyton Manning and Tom Brady made a living throwing out routes. Yeah. I mean, even Josh Allen, when I watch Josh Allen, I don't see him change the play at the line of scrimmage a lot. And I don't. And I always think to myself, well, he probably tells himself, I'll just make it work. I just, I don't think of Josh Allen as a guy that's moving traffic and, hey, barking and I'm changing. But I saw Bow Nix to, Bo Nix is small. He didn't have a huge arm. He's more athletic than you think. But I do think, you know, people, men know what they're good at, unless they're weirdly delusional. but most pro athletes aren't. But it was a hell of a day. I went two and three on my blazing five picks, and God, Denver hurt.

That one hurt badly. Yeah. Really quick before you get out of here, just because I know you're passionate about USC, but they're a cross-down rival UCLA who fired Foster. Can we just admit in the NIL era that, and I grew up in Davis, where UC Davis,

who used to be a football power, Chris Peterson played there. bunch of coaches. But UC Davis and UCLA aren't that much different in 2025 when it comes to NIL. And UCLA, honestly, the only reason they're in the Big Ten is because USC needed a partner to bring. But their program is much closer to being in the way they think about football, right, is the Big Sky program than it is Ohio State, Michigan and Oregon. I knew Washington, Oregon and USC would be just fine in the Big Ten. They'd be fine. And they are. And they are. I said it when it happened to UCLA. The good news for UCLA is they'll get Wisconsin, Nebraska, Ohio State in L.A.

And it'll fill their stadium. But they have no money. And it's ironic because the campus is in Bel Air. So it's probably the nicest campus. Nicest college campus. Palo Alto and Stanford's pretty damn sweet. I'd say Stanford and them are 1A and 1AA. In the country.

So, I mean, it's just surrounded by wealth. But they just, they have no money. Now, the basketball program, which is really the pride, you know, Polly in the basketball and John Wooden in the history, they get about $4 million a year, I think, in NIL. And that's four million for basketball, and you can be an elite eight team every year. So the UCLA has, you know, Polly, they read that it's a great basketball, college basketball place. I love their arena. I think it's fantastic.

It's got a great sense of history and it's current. But that football program is dead. It doesn't matter who you hire. There's no money for NIL. They don't have a Phil Knight. You know, it's funny is it's an international university. They've probably got some of the wealthiest graduates ever, but none of them care about football. I was told when they joined the Big Ten, they were last or next to last in football NIL.

USC just built a $300 million football program. Their NIL's $18 million a year, and they're paying Lincoln Riley another $80 million. That staff is expensive. USC is private. They don't have to announce what they pay. Whereas UCLA is public and those salaries for football coaches get listed. And so it's always been a program that, you know, is kind of fighting an uphill battle where Washington football matters. Oregon's got Phil Knight.

But they, it's just not. It's done. NIL feels like it just killed UCLA football. Which is sad because when I was a kid in the late 90s, UCLA was really good. My cousin was a walk on there, I think, in 2001. And he's like, at the time, when I went there, we were. were better than USC and then Pete came and obviously changed. But UCLA football used to get very Donahue. Great players. And now I don't think a player, I mean, they would

be more likely to go to like Fresno State or San Diego. UCLA, you watch them against New Mexico and I only watched a couple series because the game was such a joke. It was like, is this, is this really, am I witnessing this? Is this actually happening? New Mexico got into like a red zone area twice and didn't get points. I watched some of it. It should have been worse. When I see these lists, I know we've got to watch Sunday night game of some of these potential coaches, well, some of these coordinators at these big schools are making a couple million dollars. You think UCLA is going to spend $7, $8 million on a head coach? They want to pay two or $3 million. Sean Foster was probably making $3,25, and the coordinators are making six in L.A.

Yeah, that's what Dan Laning pays his offensive and defensive coordinators. So what I just, I just think it's sad. It's just sad, but it's, this is not going to change. Like, it's going to get worse before it gets better. John Middlakov, our Sunday pod. Good seeing you, buddy. See you, Colin.

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The Jonas Brothers. I'm Joe. I'm Kevin. And I'm Nick. And guess what? We created our own podcast called, Hey Jonas. We invented a podcast? Well, we didn't invent it.

We just contributed to it. We're the first people to do podcasts. We get to ask other people questions because we're sick and tired of being asked questions. Well, sick and tired is a strong way to put it. But, you know, tired and sick. Listen to Hey Jonas on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Just listen. We don't care where you hear it.

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 podcast. Podcasts. This is Saigon, the story of my family and of the country that shaped us. From IHeart Podcasts, Saigon. You don't think I'm serious about a free Vietnam? One city, a divided country, and the war that tore America apart. This is for Vietnam.

They're pouring patrol all over here. Freedom for Vietnam! There's a fire coming to this country, and it's going to burn out everything. Listen to Saigon on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. I'm Joey Dardano, and on my new podcast, Hope From a Hypocrite, I'll be changing lives, helping people in need with thoughtful solutions. Sike, I'm a comedian. I'm not qualified to give good advice. Join me and my comedian friends as we riff, rant, recommend some of the most legally dubious advice known to me. This is Help from a Hypocrite, the worst advice from the dumbest people you know.

Listen to Help from a Hypocrite Wednesdays on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. This is an I heart podcast. This is an I heart podcast. Guaranteed human.