The Herd with Colin Cowherd - HOUR 2 - Herd Hierarchy, scoring

Episode Date: September 13, 2022

Colin gives his latest Herd Hierarchy  There are times in the NFL when you need to get the points when you can   Guest: Mark SchlerethSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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You're listening to Fox Sports Radio. Sports Radio. Here we go. It's our two. We're live in Los Angeles. It's the herd wherever you may be and however you may be listening. IHeart Radio, Fox Sports Radio, FS1. So, you know, we were talking here during the break, J. Mack and I.

Heard hierarchy in a couple of minutes. That, you know, you don't want to overreact to week one. So the teams that I thought were bad were bad. I didn't think the jets were very good. I mean, I'm looking around the league. I thought the Patriots offense would stink. I thought Buffalo would be great. We both thought Kansas City would probably beat Arizona.

Last night, it's a bit of a shocker. You don't want to overreact. Russell Wilson did throw for 340 yards, and they average 7 yards of play. So a lot of it's two fumbles in the red zone, or they win the football game. So you don't want to overreact to stuff. But, you know, so I'm thinking, what is my overarching feeling week one? And it really was, this is the second or third straight year. when teams are not playing starters, and I thought the offensive line play was awful all through the league.

And that is the one unit where you need constant repetition. So that's my, I don't have a real big takeaway on teams. I bet underdogs. I like the lions, the Jags, the Texans. I was a big underdog fan last week. You know, I like the Vikings to pommel the Packers or beat the Packers. So it was kind of the week I thought. Last night's obviously a surprise.

You don't want to overreact to it. Did you have, was there one, mine's the old. line play was awful. Do you have an overarching thing, theme after week one? I didn't think there were a lot of surprises, as you said, in week one. The biggest one was last night, but everything we expected to happen basically went down, right? As you said, Jets were terrible. We didn't expect the Colts to show up in their opener because Reich historically hasn't. But I think week two were going to see some surprises. Like we were talking about the Rams line for week two, Colin. Falcons, 10-point dogs. I think the Rams are bouncing back strong. Well, the Packers play the bear.

That's going to be a blowout. Remember Packers were bad last year in week one. So does Green Bay bounce back big against Chicago? I think they probably, I don't like big favorites. I think Green Bay is going to have a resounding performance in week two. Maybe they can finally crack your herd hierarchy. They have not been in it. So speaking of that, it's our top 10 teams.

I spend way too much time thinking about it. Here we go. Heard hierarchy. Time is now. Let's go. The top 10 NFL teams, according to college. Number 10. Listen, I drop Denver down to 10.

They're still in the top 10. You can't overreact. They had two fumbles at the one yard line. But here's what worries me. 12 penalties for 106 yards. That's the most penalty yards by any team. An absolutely historically epic fail with three and a half minutes to go. Do we have a coaching issue on our hands?

I mean, I'm telling you, that worries me. I don't love their offensive line. I still like their personnel, but I'm going to slide them down to 10, way too many penalties, chaotic at the end of the game. 70% of coordinators that get jobs fail. Some quickly. Do we have an issue in our hands at Denver with the head coach? Number nine.

You know what? Philadelphia makes it. I like teams that do something well. They led the NFL in rushing last year this weekend. Over 215 rushing yards. Four different people had a rushing touchdown. They know what they are. They play to their strength.

Saints, A.J. Brown got 13 targets. They give the ball to the right people. Listen, Jalen Hertz is not going to, you're not going to confuse the way he throws the ball with Kyler Murray, Justin Herber, Patrick Malhomes. But when teams know what they are and lean into it, they run the ball, they're physical, and now they've got a star receiver on the outside. They're a handful, 38 points in week one. Remember, nobody's playing in the preseason. That is a lot of points in the NFL in week one, Eagles 9. Number eight. Listen, I think the dolphins are going to be a playoff team.

I thought they would beat New England. They've won four straight against the Patriots. Tyreek Hill, again, they gave him 12 targets and eight catches. They got the ball to the right people. Here's the other thing. We know Tua is accurate. And we said, give him an offensive coach and better weapons. Well, what did he do?

He completed 69% of his throws and had 104 passer rating. He doesn't throw a great deep ball. Tua's not going to run around. But if you give him a great left tackle, he has it, a smart offensive coach he has it, and weapons he has it, he's going to give you about 26 points a weekend. Dolphins at 8. Number 7. I worry about the Rams offensive line.

Left tackle, they miss Andrew Whitworth a lot. Jalen Ramsey was awful. But it really comes down to Stafford being sacked seven times. That's as many times as he was sacked during their entire playoff run. So they have a left tackle issue. Their center is now out for a month. I didn't think their own line was a strength to begin this season. Now it is absolutely a weakness in a division with a lot of good pass rushes.

So I'll put the Rams at seven. I mean, listen, they got shut out in the second half against the bills. They couldn't score at home with Matt Stafford, Cooper Cup against the bills. Number six. Tampa, kind of ugly, but I like this. Leonard Fernette got the ball, 127 rushing yards. That's with some offensive line injuries. Chris Godwin, hamstring, Donovan Smith, elbow.

They've got injuries. They've been injured a lot, though, in the last couple of years with Tommy. They only allowed three points. Their front seven is fast and furious. Fewest points allowed in the NFL, Tampa at six. Number five. Boy, was that Kaleel Mack acquisition, a good move by the Chargers? Listen to this.

Joey Bose and Kahlil Mack combined for 16 quarterback pressures. Well, the Raiders only dropped back to throw 42 times, and some of those were quick three-step drops. So essentially on half the dropbacks for Derek Carr, he was pressured, hitter sacked. 16 pressures, 10 hits, five sacks. Listen, Keenan Allen's hurt. They didn't throw the ball much to Mike Williams. I'm worried a little bit about that.

But defensively, that's kind of the weakness and inconsistent pass rush. You could run on them. They look great on the defensive side. Derek Carr running for his life. Number four. The Ravens. You keep telling me, Lamar Jackson can't throw. Well, all three of his touchdown passes were over 15 plus yards down field,

the most by any quarterback in week one. Seems to me he throws a great deep ball. He's not the most accurate thrower. And the Jets out gain them. But what you are with Lamar Jackson, you're a big play offense. I'm okay with that. They're not as consistent completing third down passes. They're not as beautiful to watch.

But between his legs and thrown over the top, they are an explosive big play offense. They get cheap points and fast points, and I think eventually that's how you have to score in 2022. You've got to be able to score fast. Number three. Love my Vikings. Staff's making fun of me this morning.

Didn't turn the ball over. Justin Jefferson was the best player on the field. And anybody noticed Kirk Cousins is actually pretty good against Aaron Rogers? Listen, I thought when I watched that game, the only surprise to me in the 23-7 win is that it wasn't 33-7. I thought they completely dominated Green Bay. Now, the Packers O lines beat up, but they went and got Zadaria Smith to be a pass rusher. He was great. I think Minnesota is, I said it in the preseason, I said it in the off-season.

I'll say it now. This looks like a 12 or 13 win division winning team. I don't know what their weakness is. They're not great at Corner, but they're good enough. Number two. The bills. The only reason I put them two is because of their turnovers, but they didn't punt against the Rams. In four of their last six games, including the playoffs, they haven't punted.

And that's with an average offensive line. They held the Rams to 52 rushing yards, and their last 19 regular season wins have been by 10 or more points. They are Mike Tyson if they were a fighter. They're not nuanced. They just knock you out when they get rolling down. Bill's at two. Number one. Listen, Kansas City, only team that scored 40 plus points,

at least in September with Andy Reid and Mahomes. You don't want to play this team. This is when they're at their best. I mean, he's got the highest pass rating in league history. I don't think they'll score as quickly as they did with Tyree Kill, but I said this in the offseason. They'll score as much and be as productive. Also, you forget this.

Juju Smith-Schuster was dealing with a, shaky O-line in Pittsburgh and an old quarterback. Anybody notice how good he was with Kansas City? Like they added some of these pieces, some of these rookies, Juju Smith-Schuster, a Packer Deep Threat. You do realize they're all going to be better now playing with this coach, this quarterback,

this O-line, and Travis Kelsey drawn double teams. Kansas City number one. All right, Mark called the Eagles Lions in week one. He's now joining us live. Mark Slare with Fox Sports. First of all, I watched a lot of that game. and I said this, you can have a ceiling, but if you know what you are in any business and lean into it, I watch Philadelphia, they got one great receiver, they're going to run the ball.

It could be Miles Sanders, it can be Jalen Hertz. As an offensive lineman, you have to watch that and think, it's almost 1975 football, but it works for them, Mark. It does, Colin, they're an impressive football team, and I know that it was a high-scoring game, but offensive line-wise, they're big, they're physical. But their combination, I think they're the number one group in football, their combination of size and toughness and ability to just come off the ball and thunder punch you right in the teeth,

but also to get out on the edges and control the running game out there. I think they're incredibly athletic. I think they're a really, really good football team. So I agree with you on that. And then Hertz, you know, think about this. Jalen Hertz has not had the same head coach slash, play caller since high school. Since high school was the last time that combination happened.

He has Nick Seriani. He has Stuyken, the offensive coordinator. This is the first time since high school, but he's got the same play callers. And their ability to run that RPO stuff and how simplified that is for that quarterback. One read, hey, if the DM pitches it, keep it. If he plays out, hand it off.

If the waitside linebacker scrapes up, throw it over the top. If he drops back, then run, I mean, it's simplicity at its finest. They're going to, like you said, lean into that. They'll be pretty good. Yeah. And there's not a lot of people running that offense in the NFL. So the advantage they have is it's hard to simulate it at practice when you're playing them because there's nothing else quite in the league like Philadelphia.

Now let's go to Denver. You host a wildly popular radio show in the mornings in Denver. So I want to know, first of all, from your audience, who were they blaming for that mess at the end of the game last night? Oh, the head coach, Nathaniel Hackett is taking it in the teeth right now. And, you know, rightfully so. I mean, that was completely mismanished. At the very least, you call a time out after the play to Javonte Williams.

Yeah. You know, you've got a minute left on the clock. You have a discussion. And I will just tell you this. I mean, I've been around Peyton Manning for long enough to know that if John Fox or Gary Kubiak tried to pull Peyton Manning out of the game on fourth down and five to kick a 64-yard field goal, he had just told them to put it where the sun don't shine. Right.

Because he's playing offense. And I promise you, I just promise that's the way it's, it operates. At least you call a timeout, you huddle up, you talk to your quarterback, you tell Ray Finkel, your kicker, get out of here. We don't need to talk to you right now. You go do whatever it is you do, right? We'll let you know if we need you. And you make a better decision.

I think in the history of the NFL, 64-yard field goals that have been attempted, you're 2 of 41 in that situation. You've got a much better chance of completing a pass or converting on 4th down and 5 than hitting a 64-yard. I just thought it was poor management, poor decision, and you hope your young head coach learns from that mistake and doesn't make it again.

Well, it's interesting. What concerns me is they also led the NFL in penalty yards. And, you know, part of me thinks, you know, my first radio show, I was a little overwhelmed. Your first time as a coach, you're a little overwhelmed. But I watched Green Bay the last two years melt down at the end of games with Aaron Rogers and Nathaniel Hackett. So I'm like, okay, we got a common denominator here. I've watched Aaron and Russell in the last couple years, smart guys, been in the league a long time, melt down. And I think to myself, do we got a Nathaniel Hackett problem?

or is it just like, hey, it was the loud stadium, it's on the road. Like this morning for you, do you feel like, all right, we got the Mulligan out of the way, we're going to be fine. Do you feel some of that? Yeah, I do. I think, number one, they went up and down the football field. Yeah. They turn it over twice at the one-yard line. I mean, like, those things just don't, they can't happen. They don't normally happen, but it costs them the game.

I get that at the end of the game management was a true. Let's just call it what it was. Here's the other thing. They didn't play any of their starters in the preseason. And I know, you know, I've got mixed emotions about that, right? I understand that keep players healthy and all that stuff. I think quarterbacks that didn't take a snap in the preseason were three and eight week one. There's no way to get yourself ready to play football other than playing football.

And as much as you try to simulate games in practice, it's just not the same. And especially when you go to Seattle. I mean, that place is, it is so loud. They were so invested. It was that Monday night was their Super Bowl. Russell Wilson gets booed out of the stadium, you know. I mean, here's a guy that helped you win a Super Bowl, go to two. And because, you know, because you're like a scorned lover, you're going to, you're going to treat them that way.

And I get it. It's sports. It's what makes sports great. But I think that was pretty extreme circumstance. I think the Broncos essentially were overwhelmed. Yeah. Penal these, stupid mistakes. Just like you said about doing your first radio show.

You know, you're nervous, you're hacked up, you're too aggressive. I think a lot of that stuff went on Monday night in Seattle. So really interesting. You can't fool players. And the lowest completion percentage mark for a quarterback last year that made the playoffs, the lowest was 61% Jalen Hertz. So Trey Lance is now thrown 99 NFL. passes. 99. It's not a lot, but it's about 100. He's completed 54%. That's not close to the worst

playoff quarterback. And so you could say, what takes time, it takes time. This isn't baseball. Your son played in the bigs. You don't have a game tomorrow. It's not the NBA. We have a game in two days. Same with hockey. You don't win Sunday. You don't beat the Seahawks or O and two. And for six days, the media, the fans talk about it. The scarcity of games means problems become infernoes overnight. And I watched Seattle's defense last night and I'm like, Trey's not, this is, you get, not to panic, but if they lost to Seattle and they're o' and two and going to angry Denver, do you go to Garoppolo? Take me, what would players say? What would the offensive line privately be saying?

Yeah, we need Garapolo. And listen, players just want to win, right? Right. And Garapolo is beloved within that locker room. And they've been to a Super Bowl with Garapolo, right? They went to an NFC championship last year with Garapolo. And when you run the offense, they run, you have the running game and the multiple things you can do out of their running game, you should, at the very least, like, you

walk in to that game plan with that running game. game and just on play action and bootkeep action just on those plays alone calling you should be 10 for 10 12 for 12 and then anything you complete 50% of the rest of your passes and you're still in the high 60s right so that is I mean it's unacceptable right now here's the deal if you look back you remember Josh Allen his first couple of years there were question marks he was about a 58% completion guy and then he is you know he's completely bounced up It took him a couple of years. Well, if you're San Francisco right now, Seattle leads the division, everybody else has a loss.

And you're looking at your backup quarterback who is taking you to a Super Bowl and an NFC championship game. And he's sitting there on the bench ready to roll. I mean, the leash I would have for Trey Lance is incredibly short because, you know, he'll get late early. And this is a winnable division right now. The Rams looked awful on Thursday night. and I know we can't overreact to that, but they looked bad. Obviously, Arizona, hey, Kansas City could have hung 65, 70 on them. Like, it wasn't even close.

Right. I mean, it was, it was, it was varsity versus JV. It was ugly. So, like, it'll get laid early in that division if you don't, if you don't fix the quarterbacking issues. So Mark had Eagles, Lions in the opener. He's actually got a wildly intense game, Seahawks 49ers, which now is interesting. One more question. I don't want to overreact to Green Bay's opening performance, but you have kids.

I talked about this yesterday. And Sean Payton and I talked about this off the air and on the air. When you have kids, you have to build in patience. They make mistakes, right? Little people. When you take small school wide receivers, Nevada FCS programs, and their opening game, because Aaron doesn't play preseason, their opening game is in Minnesota. one of the loudest places on earth and they drop a pass and there's miscommunication.

My takeaway with Aaron is you put your arms around those guys and go right back to them and say, hey man, you were playing for Nevada Wolfpack, you know, six months ago. You were playing FCS football and there were 1,600 people in the stands. Instead, Watson dropped a pass didn't get a target until the fourth. And I think Aaron, you really got, this is what you, Sammy Watkins will not be healthy, much and Randall Cobb ain't it. I was disappointed that Aaron didn't go right back to the kids. Or is he teaching him a lesson in a standard being prepared?

Where do you land on this? Yeah. Listen, in my day, that's how you got coached, right? That's, you know, it was your day too, man. It was just different, right? You didn't have to worry about people's feelings. If you couldn't handle it, then we don't need you. it's just different it's different now you know it's there's a different process and

erin came up obviously you know it wasn't like brett farb was doing a lot of tutoring to erin rogers right learn on your own buddy because i don't care um and i think that that's i think that's part of that having to morph into and change the way you approach the game as the game continues to advance and and these kids come in they they need to be you know for lack of a better term I used to call it mama catting guys. You know, you got to come in there and you got to love them up a little bit. And that's probably more true in today's game than it is when Rogers came in. And he didn't get treated like that.

Maybe he's not doing that kind of, you know, that kind of mentoring. But I'm with you. I think that probably needs to happen for a kid like that coming out of a very small school. Yeah. Mark Schleris got the Niners Hawks this weekend. It shapes up to be an incredibly important game for the 40. It's a must-watch game. great seeing you, buddy.

You too, bud. Take care. Warren Moon last hour, a lot of stuff. It was, I'll tell you what, that game last night, that crowd, that reaction, I don't know the TV number, but it, man, Seattle is loud. That thing felt, when you had a dominant team and a team that's one of the three worst, I mean, if you took any other league and you put a Super Bowl potential team and a tanking team or a really bad team, there wasn't much.

to it. That thing was three hours and 45 minutes of couldn't leave your seat. The intensity of that game, Gino Smith played the best I've ever seen him play. He was good for three quarters. Right. Let's not go overboard. Yeah, I mean, there's limitations. He's pulled it off before with the Jets and then reality sets in the following week. Okay, let's just settle down. Seahawks fans. 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. 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, Cliver 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,

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What the hell does George Bush got to do with Little Kim? Well, you can find out on the Look Back at It podcast. I'm Sam Jay. 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. 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 on day, but just so you all know.

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

Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hard Way 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

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on my new podcast. Learn the hard way. Open your free iHeartRadio app. Search Learn the hard way and listen now. Or other regional action. Check local listings for the game in your area only on Fox and the Fox Sports app. Well, the sports, when it has drama, gets big ratings. If you see on Fox, the Texas Bama game, got like 11 million people.

That's like bigger than the NBA finals. So it was close and there was drama. And so the Niners Seahawks next week, we don't know how good those teams are. But I mean, if you're the Niners, and a Niner fan. This is one of the winnable games. If you don't beat Seattle, a lot of people are going to say,

we've got to go to Garopolo. Because your next game is in Denver, in September, against an angry Bronco team. So that game, you may look at it and think, oh, it's, you know, two, I don't know how good they are.

That is a massive game for the 49ers. Yeah, I know you'd like to talk about ratings. So the NFL usually has two Monday night football openers. They pushed two to next week so Russ could get the full treatment last night. So back-to-back Monday night football games next weekend. Well, the NFL better than any league in my lifetime has always understood. We're a television show because our money comes from television. They manipulate the TV schedule.

You know, it's interesting this week. I'm glad you brought that up. This is an interesting point for the average fan. So Thursday is the best game of the week. Chargers Chiefs is probably the best game of the week. It's on Amazon. Oh. I didn't even know that.

No, no. You have Amazon, maybe I have Amazon? A lot of people in America do not have, they don't have a streaming service, right? It's expensive. So, like, you know, for my job, I have to have all of it. I have to have all the, you know, I got Fubo. I got, I mean, I got everything.

Like, you know, I have to watch stuff on my computer. Do you have Hulu? I have, I have everything. I have to. Yeah. But that's my job, and I can write it off. Right. But it's interesting.

The best game of the week now is on a streaming service. And a lot of people, don't have that. So you're going to have, did you see Amazon's first game in the number? It was tiny. Yeah. I didn't watch the first game. I mean, it was preseason, right? Yeah. But it was a tiny, tiny number. So will it drive signups for Amazon? Absolutely. That's why you get in business with the NFL. But it is interesting here. The best game of the weekend, first time in my life, is on a streaming platform. I have back to school night and I've got a potential Imagine Dragons concert I may be seeing out here. If you want to tag along, you know, I got some access. I already told my wife, Thursday,

clear eyes, no cocktails, Chargers, Chiefs. Jay Mack with a news. No, no, no, no, turn on the news. This is the herd line news. All right, Colin, let's go back to Gino Smith. I mean, he was so good last night, obviously 23 of 28, buck 95, two touchdowns. Everybody doubted his ability to match up with Denver. After the win, Gino Smith had a chance to fire back as at all of his critics. Pretty damn good quote here, Colin. They wrote me off. I ain't right back, though.

I kind of like that, you know? Well, he's been in this system now for a couple of years. Will Disley, Lockett, D.K., so he's got a lot of, he's got a new left tackle, but a lot of this offense, Rashad Penny, a lot of this DJ Dals, it's the same guys. So, I mean, you're talking about I'm at home, same head coach, outside of left tackle, I think it's Charles Cross. It's the same offense. So he did have a little bit of a built-in advantage

where Russ goes on the road, can't hear himself, rookie head coach on the road with all new pieces. So that's why I don't want to overreact to it. If Denver doesn't fumble twice at the one, they win the football game. By the way, Denver only team in the league with a new coach, a new offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator, and quarterback. And Colin, that showed big time last night. The undisciplinedness, if that's even a world.

On defense, I think they had like 13 penalties. It was bad on both sides of the football. They did not look buttoned up to use your football. Listen, we all know that's one of the loudest stadiums in the league. Minnesota's really loud. Seattle. Like some stadiums are loud, and then you have a couple that are off the hook. So that was a really tough environment.

And again, it really comes down to don't fumble twice at the one-yard line, and Denver wins the football game probably. Nice usage of off-the-hook. I didn't know people were still saying it. Oh, I lit and off-the-hook. I live with those. There we go. Okay.

Next up, the Dallas Cowboys lackluster performance on offense. Only three points. Only team in the NFL not to score a touchdown. One explosive play. It was brutal. Now, they'll be missing Dak Prescott for a while. Stephen Jones, though, is kind of calling out C.D. Lamb and the receiving core? Here's what he said.

I think we've certainly got to step up and do better. And that's a, you know, the passing game goes hand in hand, the quarterback and the receivers. And certainly, you know, we've got to be better there. I mean, C.D. he's got to, you know, he's got to improve and work his way into being the number one receiver we think we can. But, you know, obviously it wasn't good enough. And, you know, we've got to hold Tampa Bay and Tom Brady the 19 points. You've got to think you've got a good chance to win that game. But we just didn't get the job done.

Well, now the good news is I saw a report this morning. Michael Gallup off the ACL tear. Check me on this. I think he's back at practice. Okay. So that matters. Is it going to matter if the offensive line can't block? Well, Gallup's a nice, deep threat.

He can run. C.D. Gallup, their tight end. Zeke, Tony Pollard. Those are real weapons in the NFL. So Cooper Rush, you got something to deal with here. They're not great at left tackle. The O line's not as good. But, you know, listen, Cincinnati is in a foul mood.

But again, Joe Burrow didn't play in the preseason. So Burroughs kind of playing himself back. So it's an interesting opportunity. But I do think, you know, they say the sky is falling. Don't go out of the building to solve your issue. That's going to be back in a month. So quick note, Cooper Rush started last Halloween against the Vikings. I don't know if you remember that game Sunday Night Football.

threw a couple touchdown passes to Amari Cooper and Cedric Wilson, who are no longer with the team. Amari Cooper had 13 targets last year in Cooper Rush's only start. So now it's like C.D. Lamb. And I mean, I don't know. Who was their number two receiver? Was it Dalton Schultz? Well, he got, yeah.

I mean, he's a pro-bowl level tied in. He's a highly productive player. Bengals, this is going to be a problem for Dallas. Bengals is my favorite bet of the weekend. And real quick, what other front offices call out their star receiver after week one? Why receivers got to be better? Well, what other owner does a radio show every week? This is embarrassing.

It's not great. All right. Final story. There was some concern surrounding Mack Jones following the Patriots Week. one loss. He skipped media after the game to get an x-ray on his back. He had an additional test Monday. They said it's fine. He's doing much better. They did not officially say he's starting this week, but he's doing well and on track to play was the words that they're using today. Colin, banged up Mack Jones. Sounds like no T.J. Watt, obviously, but this is a Pittsburgh

defense. It's still pretty darn good. Minka Fitzpatrick on the back end. The kid, Highsmith, had a couple sacks against the Bengals. Steelers Patriots, your thoughts? I like New England. Favorite on the road, huh? Well, Belichick doesn't lose back to back a lot. Belichick's been very good against Mike Tomlin. And I also kind of feel like I like Mac better than Trubisky.

T.J. Watt is out. I think if you're the Steelers, you come out of a huge emotional, divisional game, pull back. Patriots feel like they were embarrassed. Steelers getting new shoots from Tomlin in the locker room. They're dancing after the game. So I feel desperation is a great ally. And I think New England feels like in that locker room, like you can't go O and 2.

In that division, O and 2. That's a dense sentence. Well, I mean, what are they, 1 and 8 in their last 8 or 9 against 2 and Josh Allen. So, I mean, again, this is a massive game for New England. My favorite Belichick stat, since Tom Brady left, 18 wins, 19 long. below 500 since Brady departed. Brady got out that sinking ship just in time, Colin. Well, you know what Brady did? What Brady did is Brady, remember, Brady put his house up for sale a year before he left. And so Brady sensed, he's like an insider trading their stock.

Yeah, he sold his stock. He's like, we don't have, we can't separate. Gromks getting old, Edelman's getting old. So in 2018, Brady made his mind up. He said that on Howard Stern. Okay. Mac Jones comes in, thinks he lands in the perfect spot, but the insiders were selling their stock. So he thinks, oh, I got a $100 stock. You got about a $60 stock because Brady, been in the league forever. I mean, don't kill yourself. Mac Jones had better college receivers his year at Alabama than he did in New England in terms of speed and athletic ability and ceiling. So it's very interesting. We thought Mac landed in the perfect place. But as the game is pivoting, Tom sold his stock in 2018. or was it 2019 or whatever left, 2018. So Tom had made a decision.

And the game is changing. And where did Tom go, by the way? To the team that was loaded at wide receiver and had perimeter speed. So Brady saw what was happening to the league. Mac comes into the league and thinks, oh, I got Belichick. But Mac's not talented enough without playmakers. To elevate everyone. What's the great Wayne Gretzky, quote,

skate where the puck is going, not where it has been? And that's Brady. Brady saw this was coming. and bailed. I kind of like that, Brady. And Belichick's got some work to do. Jay Mack with the news. Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by.

The Herd Lye News. Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays in noon Eastern, 9 a.m. Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, FS1, and the IHeart Radio app. Hi, this is Jay Glazer, and you may know me for the world of football or fighting or even shows like HBO's ballers. What you don't know is for my entire life, I have lived in something I refer to the gray depression anxiety so now I'm coming out with a new podcast Unbreakable a mental health podcast with Jay Glazer where each week while we talk about mental health I hope to describe it

give it words listen to Unbreakable with Jay Glazer 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 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 which I'm 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 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. know what you're thinking. What the hell does George Bush got to do a little kill? Well, you can find out on the Look Back at it podcast. I'm Sam Jett. 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 is big to me, not just because of crack. I'm down to talk about crack on day, but yeah, yeah, literally. But just so y'all No. 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.

Business owners, you're feeling the pressure of running your biz during the changing times. 30 plus years of HR experience. Insperity can help with hiring, training, HR administration, expand your possibilities at Insperity.com. So listen, I like new stuff, all right, but there are some things that are time tested and always true. And the average NFL teams scores 23 points a weekend. Field goals matter. Okay. They matter. So, I mean, think about how good Aaron Rogers is. They scored seven points this weekend. Aaron Rogers.

Matt Stafford. Think how good he is. Cooper Cop. Alan Robinson. Sean McBay's brain. No point. Second half against Buffalo. It is hard to score in this league. When big, strong men that can bench Delaware are running at you and tackling you.

Often on the road, you can't hear signals. So I'm a believer. kicked the field goal. Denver last night, kicked the field goal. So four offensive coaches this weekend, Matt LaFlewer, Green Bay, Denver Nathaniel Hackett, Frank Wright Indy, and Doug Peterson, Jags, instead of just taking field goals and putting pressure on less talented quarterbacks, Gino Smith, Davis Mills, Carson Wentz, Kirk Cousins. Instead of just taking field goals, put pressure on the other guys. They put their quarterbacks in these incredibly hostile environments.

Trevor Lawrence on the road, Aaron Rogers on the road, Russell Wilson on the road. So think about this. You're on the road down inside the five-yard line. The fans are closer to you on that play than any other place in the stadium. When you're in the middle of the field, the fans are miles from you. So you're down in the end zone. So the fans are closest to you, meaning it's the most disruptive audio-wise. It's the smallest space.

75% of your playbook doesn't work down there. Because it's fourth down, defensive players are playing at a level much higher than second down. It's a desperation moment. It's one of those two or three defensive moments in a game, fourth down, speed changes. I can't use half my playbook. My offense can't hear. It is a massively pressurized situation. If it was easy, nobody would kick PATs.

Everybody would go for two points after touchdowns. So you're putting your offense, often young Trevor Lawrence, Russell Wilson returning with a new coach and coordinator, Aaron Rogers with rookie wide receivers, Matt Ryan with a new head coach in O-line. Even though they're the superior quarterback in that game, they were all dealing with new coaches, new coordinators, on the road, rookie receivers. And instead of just taking the field goal, taking the points, I mean, Green Bay is down 10-0 or 10-3.

10-3 feels a lot closer than 10-0. And maybe it doesn't matter. But you got to, there's a lot of these analytic things. You always got to go for it in a fourth down. Are you considering that the red zone is one of those things. What you can't do is come out of the red zone with no points. I'll take three over seven and what are the percentages? But I'm watching Aaron Rogers.

Aaron Rogers is arguably in the loudest stadium in the league with rookie wide receivers. You know, Minnesota's offense has given Green Bay trouble several times over the last five or six years. Rookie wide receivers in Minnesota. Got a new coordinator, by the way. Your offensive coordinator left. They brought him the old guy back. Just give Aaron Rogers a field goal. Get him a field goal.

Russell Wilson. Seattle, loud, one of the loudest stadiums, banging around. You don't trust your offensive line. Gino Smith, fourth quarter, just get the points, help him out, a bunch of new people he's working with. It's the same thing with Trevor Lawrence. It's not that I'm not for going forward on fourth down. But this red zone stuff, two and three yard line, 75% of your playbook doesn't work down

there. It's all congested. It's the loudest place for a quarterback to play. I just take the point. Now, there are times I would go for it. For instance, I've got a dominating defensive front. But in Jacksonville situation, their offensive line isn't great and the Redskins or the commander's defensive line is exceptional.

So I'm facing the best part of their team in a congested area. And the weakest part of my team is probably my offensive front getting a push. And I'm on the road. And my quarterback's young. And it's a new coach and a new coordinator and a new system. That's a big ask to get fourth downs in that space. Aaron Rogers is the two-time defending MVP and the Minnesota Vikings secondary is at best. But again, when you're, when you get down to these close areas, you have to surrender

a lot of your playbook. Any of these big throws down field in the red zone that they're out of your playbook. So I would agree with you on like Mitch Trubisky in Pittsburgh. You never go for a fourth down. Just kick the field goal, take the points. You got a great defense. But if I got Aaron Rogers, I got Patrick Mahomes, I got Justin Herbert. I'm probably going for like fourth and two, fourth and three. Okay, but those are different. The Chargers O-line you like, Herbert's great. I mean, you know, that was different. So the Chargers were at home. It was a 50-50 crowd. The crowd's not an issue. My center and my left tackler pro bowlers. Herbert's great. Tons of weapon. Run the ball. And the Raiders defense outside of pass rush stinks. So that's a

totally different ball game. But Seattle was playing with her hair on fire. It's on the road. You have all new people, a battle online, and Seattle's defensive front is, they got some ballers up there. Even their safeties or hitters. I didn't like the running out of shotgun. It really gives the defense extra time to see exactly what's happening. They blew up

the offensive line. Maybe it's the play call versus the decision. It's just, basketball analytics I get. But it's funny about this. So we all know that three-point shooting is great in basketball. But if you notice what happens in the playoffs,

that the guys who get you two points a lot, Janus becomes valuable. Chris Paul becomes valuable. You know, we have this feeling that it's about threes. Over the course of the regular season, yes. But we even see this in baseball where you have analytics, but then you get to the postseason and things change, by the way. You use starters out of the bullpen. So situationally, baseball changes in October.

Basketball changes in the playoffs. You need guys who can get a stop and get a ballpark. bucket. Well, football in the red zone changes. You can't use 75% of your playbook. It's the loudest place in the league. You can't hear. I mean, you're watching that Seahawk thing last night. How is, how can they hear in the fans are 25 feet from you? So I mean, I like analytics and going for it and shooting threes and all out of this baseball stuff. But in the NBA, here's another thing that happens. In the NBA playoffs, referees swallow the whistle. Yeah. So stuff you get in the regular season, James Hardin doesn't get in the postseason.

Westbrook doesn't get in the postseason. You also play the same team over and over. So, you know, the tricks you can do in the regular season, the teams figure out your flaws. By game three, they know that's why stars went in the playoffs, because stars are unstoppable. All the little rotation role players, they don't matter in the conference finals of the NBA finals. It's can Jason Tatum and Steph Curry hit a big jumper? Hour three next. 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. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged.

It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. On the Look Back at it podcast.

From 1979, that was a big moment for me. 84 was big to me. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick a year, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. With our friends, fellow comedians, and favorite authors. Like Mark Lamont Hill on the 80s. 84 was a wild year.

It was a wild year. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Listen to Look Back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what I'm saying. Yep, that's me. Clivert Taylor the 4th.

You might have seen the skits, my basketball and college football journey, or my career in sports media. Well, now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifers Show. This is a place for raw, unfills of conversations with athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. So let's get to it. Listen to The Clivert Show on the IHeard Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you at your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok's podcast network

on TikTok. This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed human.