The Herd with Colin Cowherd - The Herd - Hour 1 - Aaron Rodgers and the Jets

Episode Date: September 12, 2023

The Jets should feel good about their shocking win over the Bills on Monday Night Football but the somber reality of losing Aaron Rodgers for the season means they can no longer contend for a Super Bowl Looking at Josh Allen's regression since Brian Daboll left to become the head coach of the Giants and why this is bad news for the BillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and friends on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal, but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque.

Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, this is Robert from the Stuff to Blow Your Mind podcast. Joe and I are both lifelong Star Wars fan, so we're celebrating May the 4th with a brand new week of fun, thought-provoking Star Wars-related episodes.

Join us as we tackle science and culture topics from a galaxy far, far away, such as the biology of tauntons and wampas on the ice planet hot, or the practicality and corporate business sense of the Sith rule. of two. Listen to Stuff to Bole Your Mind on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks for listening to The Heard Podcast. Be sure to catch us live every weekday on Fox Sports Radio in noon to 3 Eastern 9 a.m. to noon Pacific. Find your local station for the herd at Fox Sports Radio.com or stream us live every day on the IHeart Radio app by searching Fox Sports Radio or FSR. Now let's get this party started. You're listening to Fox Sports Radio. Here we go.

It is a Tuesday. We are live in Los Angeles. It is the herd. Wherever you may be and however you may be listening. Thanks for watching or listening to this show. And thanks for making us part of your day. Top of next hour, herd hierarchy, top ten teams in the NFL. We've got a million different angles.

Aaron Rogers, out for the year. Achilles surgery, devastating. daunting blow, gutting blow for the New York Jets. Not good for fans, not good for the city, not good for the franchise, not great for older Aaron Rogers. J. Mack, this was a rough one for you. I actually had multiple people text me last night and say, how's J.Mack hanging in there? And I said, I'm just going to let him deal with the night. I didn't text you after the injury, so it's a rough one.

I was unwell for much of last evening. It was a tough one. We won the battle, won the game, but we lost. the war and Aaron Rogers. Yeah, out for the year. So it was a wonderful win for the Jets. It really was. And it's the last week they're probably going to be in first place. When you look at that schedule and that O line and now Zach Wilson, that's fourth place. Listen, Aaron and that offensive line, you, I, everybody, didn't we say, God, if they can go three and three through the first six, you got a new coach, a new city, a new culture, a new old line, you don't know about your

tackles. Aaron Rogers, we thought, was six and six. Now, it's Zach Wilson at Dallas's defense. Mahalms, Jalen Hertz, Belichick, at Denver. Aaron was always the difference with this team between seven wins and potentially 11 or 12. I've had coaches tell me this, that a great quarterback actually makes your defense even better because they feel all they have to do is make a stop and get the ball to the Hall of Famer. Michael Vic had that relevance and that ability. He was in Atlanta, players felt like just give Michael the ball. He'll make something happen. And that was Aaron Rogers. It's a gutting loss. But he had three dropbacks last night and had to move for all of them and got hurt for the last one. Robert Sala deserves major props. The Jets defense was amazing.

It looks even better this year. They were optimistic, never lost energy despite the injury. They still had plenty of fight left on the field a lot. it never tired, and Zach Wilson didn't lose you the game. I never want to overreact to one week in the NFL, but after one week, I look at the Jets Division and four things are true. Miami's offense, maybe the best in the league. Buffalo still has a better quarterback and a better overall roster.

The Patriots are going to be a tough out, and the Jets needed Aaron Rogers to get to the playoffs. They just do. It stinks. It's a great win. It's not going to be a great season. We've said this. With older quarterbacks,

offensive lines are even more crucial. When the Rams, Matt Stafford, had a good one. He won a Super Bowl. Last year, they had injuries. He got hurt. Tom Brady to Tampa, first move. Get me a right tackle. They trapped Tristan Worf's.

Get me Gronk, a great blocking tight end. I did not have the Jets in the playoffs before the season started. virtually everybody else did. I bought into the hype train a little because he's Aaron Rogers. He's one of the most gifted throwers I've ever seen. Maybe first or second best, Dan Marino's up there as well. But this team needed Aaron. Defenses can only be on the field so long.

I looked at the Jets' schedule this morning, and remember, last night was the healthiest the Jets O line is. What if they have an injury? Mackay Bechtin can't stay healthy. Dwayne Brown is 38 years old. So last night was the best of the offensive line. But if you look at the schedule, with Aaron Rogers, there is only one game on it. They would have been the Jets at a quarterback deficit. That's Mahomes.

But it looks like to me, Josh Allen's regressed. I'd take Aaron over Josh. I'd take Aaron over Russell Wilson. Look at the schedule. In every game but one, you could argue the Jets would have the best defense on the field and the better quarterback. With Zach Wilson, not trying to be mean, but they will be a lot. a quarterback deficit in 13 of the 16 games. How long can you ask your defense to save the team?

Listen, two things can be true. It was a gutty, impressive win, and it will not be a great season. Aaron Rogers was the difference between seven and 11 wins. Their defense was great last year. It was great last year. It's better this year, but he was the difference. This is, story's got so many layers. Robert Sala, after the win, but talking bigger picture. Personally, I don't hurt for me. I don't hurt for our locker room. I hurt for Aaron and how much he's invested in all of this. You know, so I'm still going to say prayer. I'm still going to hold hope. But, you know, my, my heart's with Aaron right now and nowhere else. Yeah, that's about, I was actually surprised, pleasantly surprised, that the jet

didn't unravel to some degree. It was so emotional for the city yesterday, but for the Jets to hang in there, run the ball, play inspired defense, not unravel, was really, really impressive. There is something special about this Jess team, but when you start looking at that schedule, there's a reason they went out and got Aaron. I have my differences with Aaron. There are things I question about Aaron Rogers, but he is the magic. He was a lot. the magic. Get well, get better. There's next year. I still hope this has a happy ending. For Buffalo, I don't think there's a single NFL player, not one, that misses a coach more than Josh Allen, misses his former offensive coordinator, Brian Daible. Since Brian Daible became the

head coach of the New York Giants, Josh Allen, From that moment until tonight, has 20 picks and seven fumbles and leads the NFL in giveaways. His mechanics are worse. He's had drama with his star receiver, and he still won't slide. I didn't like what I saw last night. And I understand with Alan's size and athletic ability and his talent, I'm not asking for perfection. This is not a guy that needs to go, you know, 28 of 34. It's not what I'm looking for.

but he is a heavyweight fighter and he has lost his corner man. Mike Tyson was never the same once he lost Custamato. And people would argue Tiger Woods was never the same when he lost his swing coach, Butch Harmon. It doesn't matter if you're a magnificent singing talent. You'll notice in Hollywood the best actors often lean and work with the same directors over and over and over. Josh Allen misses Brian Dable.

Last night, these numbers are weird and shocking. O for five on passes over 20 yards, two picks, and a zero-zero passer rating. Tiger was never the same without Bush. Mike was never the same without Custamato. Three years ago, we looked at the best quarterbacks in the league, and I think all of us would agree it was Mahomes 1 and Josh Allen 2. But when Mahomes goes up,

off the rails mechanically, and he does about once a year, Andy Reed brings him back home. When Josh Allen goes off the rails, and he's there right now, Buffalo's got a defensive head coach and a defensive-minded culture. They still can't get their O-line right. It's like Steph Curry. Steph Curry, if you've watched him, we have and we love him. He's J-Mack's favorite player and probably mine will have these stretches where he gets really loose with the basketball. and then Steve Kerr bring it back home. Let's reel it back in. Let's go back to basics.

The greatest talents need somebody in the sidecar. A man, a woman, a trainer, support, whatever it is. Josh Allen, Mrs. Brian Dable. That is not to say that Ken Dorsey's not a good coach, but there are certain relationships in the NFL, Matt Ryan, Kyle Shanahan, it was magic. Matt Ryan's still good without him, had great years without him. But he was better with Kyle.

Creative mega talents, sometimes they go off the rails. I love Lady Gaga. The meat dress moment's like, let's reel it back in, a little too far out there. But I feel like when I watch Josh Allen, he's not the same quarterback as I felt his last game with Brian Daibald. mechanics won't slide deep ball not as good impatient not as accurate ball last night one of the interceptions two were just brilliant plays one of them was just like he threw it to the safety Josh Allen after trying to force the ball um yeah same same place different day I heard our team tonight I cost our team tonight

really similar to last year and I hate that it's the same. Yeah, that night was so many different things. It was hype and optimism. It was fantastic. It was, there were so many great emotional moments right before the injury. And then in the injury, you're basically praying, crossing your fingers. Okay, two weeks, three weeks. I immediately ran to the jet schedule.

I go online. Okay. they'll lose to Dallas, they'll hang with Kansas City, they can beat Denver, and then Robert Sala after it's bad news, and this morning, Aaron Rogers is officially out for the year. This can still have a happy ending. It's not going to be in the next eight to nine months, but it still can end well. We cross our fingers that it does. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern 9 a.m. Pacific on Fox Sports Radio,

F-S-1 and the I-Hard Radio app. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds.

I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the IHard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what you're saying. Yep, that's me, Clifford Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions,

my journey from basketball to college football, or my career in sports media. Well, somewhere along the way, this platform became bigger than I ever imagined. And now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered 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 Cliverts 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 Clivert Show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast,

you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. Do you remember when Diana Ross double-tap Little Kim's boobs at the VMAs?

Or when Kanye said that George Bush didn't like black people. I know what you're thinking. What the hell does George Bush got to do a little Kim? Well, you can find out on the Look Back at 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 all day, but just so you know.

I mean, at this point, Mark, this is the second episode where we've discussed crack. So I'm starting to see that there's a through line. We also have AIDS on the table right now. 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 IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. You know, there's a saying, we don't appreciate what we have until it's gone. And I watched the Packers this weekend, and we discussed this yesterday. They were a very, very well-oiled machine. Jordan Love had the second least pressures of any quarterback in the NFL this weekend. And Aaron Rogers was running for his life and his three dropbacks. Packers are stable and consistent, and the jets have historically been turbulent and chaotic.

So this is not to say that Aaron did not appreciate what he had in Green Bay, but what he did have was two offensive coaches, no impulsive crazy owner, no bad offensive lines in 15 years as the starter. He could hide in Wisconsin. They didn't know his get the best free agents, but since only about 30 percent of free agents hit, that was probably not a bad thing. if you looked at Jordan Love this weekend, clever play calling from an offensive head coach, unbelievably solid protection, run game, weaker division.

And again, I said this before Aaron played a game. I said, if you really break this down, simplify it. The Packers for 15 years have been a really well-run business, and the Jets have been a poorly run business. And they're acquiring Aaron mostly because they put themselves in that spot. spot. They reached on Zach Wilson and they whiffed on a left tackle, who's now a right tackle that can't stay healthy. So they had to overpay for an expensive 39-year-old prickly quarterback who is gifted and great and amazing. But there was some warning labels on this. Let's be honest about this.

We discussed this in the preseason. Robert Sala discussed it at team meetings. Older quarterbacks tend to need better offensive lines. I do think Aaron rehabs comes back. I do think this is going to have a much happier ending. If you remember, Farr with the Jets started well and ended poorly. This is starting poorly. My guess is it ends well. Aaron comes back. Here's a big bonus for the Jets.

There is a small silver lining for the New York Jets. Their biggest need is left tackle. They don't need to draft anybody on defense. Maybe after C.J. Mosley leaves, they need a left tackle. Next year's draft has three minimum great left tackles. And the Jets do not have to give up their first round pick because Aaron had to play 65% of snaps. If he did, the Packers got their first round pick. Now they don't.

So the Jets number one need, the number two need, I think, is a receiver. But they're good enough there now. Their number one need is left tackle. there's two great ones and a third with Duke that's very good. And the Jets, my guess, will be about 15th around the middle of the pack in the NFL. 7-8-9 wins, a middle of the pack, they can get one of those or move up. So the little brief, I know it's small, silver lining. But it's also fair to say, and I talk to a GM, a former GM in the league,

it is harder for older players to rehab. younger bodies heal more quickly, injured less frequently. When they are hurt, they rehab, and they return quickly. How many times have we seen a young player get hurt? He'll be out eight weeks. He comes back in five or six. The medical staffs, the medical professionals in New York are top of the world. You're getting the very best help for Aaron Rogers.

But there is a likelihood, perhaps, perhaps, that at 39 years old with a severe Achilles rupture, we may have seen the best of Aaron Rogers. Now, good Aaron Rogers with his intelligence, his moxie, his experience, and his arm, a good, less mobile Aaron Rogers with that defense could still be a fantastic team if they get the left tackle right. So there is just a sliver this morning of positivity on this. You're going to find out for sure with Zach Wilson. Zach Wilson got to watch Aaron Rogers for camp, summer. Did he learn some things from Aaron? you're going to be able to get your first round pick.

That's positive. But we also have today, we've got to be honest. The Jets are in this position with Aaron because they reached on Zach Wilson, whiffed on the left tackle. I said this two weeks ago. There were a lot of flashing red lights with this situation. It's why I didn't see the Jets as a playoff team. Two things can be true.

I feel awful for Aaron Rogers, but I do think it'll be a better ending, a happy ending. but I think, you know, for the next four months, it's going to be emotional and pretty rough. Here's Jay Mack with the news. No, no, no, no, turn on the news. This is the herd line news. The wardrobe people let me wear this jet shirt today. I actually liked it. It's a good look.

I had to clear it with them because, you know, it's not buttoned up. It's a little dressed down. But I told Colin via text everybody that there may not be another chance to wear this shirt again this season. Listen, Dallas hosting the Jets next week, it doesn't feel very hopeful this morning. And that's the magic of Aaron Rogers. You go into that game and think, our defense, against their defense, Aaron will make a play. I mean, that's the magic of Aaron. Aaron will make it work.

What do you say? You don't trust Zach Wilson and Nathaniel Hackett? Well, against that defense? Against anyone? Well, I mean, again, ask yourself this. If the Jets had 10 average quarterbacks, wouldn't you say the Jets defense would suffocate those quarterbacks? So, I mean, let's be honest, the Jets have a top five defense. The Cowboys have a top five defense.

The only way to beat those teams is with elevated quarterback play. The Cowboys are going to win nine games just if they don't move the ball. The Jets are going to win seven, eight games just because of their defense. Aaron took you to 11 or 12 with his magic. And watching the Jets last night, everybody knows the only reason they won. Josh Allen vomited all over himself with that fumble. And then the punt return touchdown. You think Zach Wilson could go the length of the field?

for a touchdown? Well, no, I don't. I don't. All right, let's move on. Let's move on. I just needed a moment there. Let's defensive tackle Chris Jones of the Chiefs ended his holdout this morning. A one-year deal worth up to 25-mill, base salary, 19.5 million. Incentives could bring them up. I just looked at how the Chief's defensive line graded out against the Lions. It's extremely poor. All the guys are orange. Orange is like the worst. They're going to need them this week against ETN. Tank Biggsby. Great name. and that Jags offense.

Jags Chiefs might be after Jets Cowboys, the best game of the weekend. Well, I get both my guys back. I thought this was an interesting contract. Go back to Kansas City's opening loss to Detroit. My number one takeaway in that game for Kansas City was, oh, they're getting an excellent pass rush without Chris Jones against the Great O line.

And I think Brett Veach says, I like our young guys. We probably need Chris this year. I think this is really good for the Chiefs. Chris gets his money, but this is a great, great deal for the Chiefs. They probably need Chris for one more year, but if you start looking at what they've drafted up front, it gave the Lions great O line real consistent trouble. Are you surprised he took this?

I was. Listen, we just saw Aaron Rogers took a massive pay cut to help the Jets, and after four plays, he's done. And we don't know if he's going to come back. I think retirement's in the cards, but. By the way. Kurt Jones, a one-year deal. There's some risk here.

By the way, Aaron did risk taking a pay cut. One of the reasons players don't take pay cuts is you get hurt. You only have about seven years of great health in the NFL for legends. You know, you're not quite, you know, your first year in, to your seventh year in, you're in athletic prime. You heal quickly, get hurt less. And then after that, it's a lot of crossing your fingers and luck and protection. Or you're like you and I, still in our athletic. But Aaron basically takes a pay cut for the team, and today he'll watch the team.

Yeah, I mean, I don't know how much you want to talk retirement, but I don't know that he's coming back to the Jets after this. I'm trying to be totally positive today. I looked up quarterbacks who have had Achilles' injuries. Old guys. And I haven't found one like a good quarterback at his age. Testa Verde was like 35. Dan Marino had one, but he was younger.

Well, it's funny because Aaron was considering retirement coming to New York. I don't know what it's going to be like to come back from this kind of injury for a guy like Roger? It's, I mean... My guess is he'll be positive and start this rehab. Yeah. And then about six months in, he may have to have a sit down with Sala and say, I just, it's not going to work. I think there's a darkness retreat. Sorry, in the cards for him again.

But I do. I think he'll take the positive tact. I think he will work. I think he'll go for it. I think, you know, he's still single guy. Football's a big part of his life. You know, he didn't have a family waiting for him at home. So I do think Aaron will make the best of it.

But I could see six months in another four-hour rehab day saying it doesn't feel good. It doesn't feel better. I'm going to be 40. Like, I get it. All right. Let's move on to Jordan Love and the Packers, Rogers' old team. Jordan Love got a huge win over the Bears. However, despite the 15 of 27 for 245 and three tutties, Bears safety, Jaquan, Bristol.

was not impressed. He's just Jordan Love, number 10, Packers QB. He's nothing special. We're going to stay the course. We're going to focus on Tampa. We'll see them again. They'll get theirs. Kind of harsh words.

He's nothing special. But I did look into it, Colin. You know, seven passes attempted behind the line of scrimmage, one of four on passes over 20 yards. Like, it was a very cookie cutter performance from Love. I don't think that quotes inflammatory. I think it's accurate. I think Jordan Love with great support

can win games over the Chicago Bears. I don't think he's special. I think he is an athletic game manager. So you can roll the pocket with him. You know, game managers used to be a guy that sits in the pocket, easy throws, screen passes. Well, in our time, 2023, a game manager can also be that and some athletic ability to roll the pocket, occasionally run.

Jordan Love feels like that. Kind of a game manager. Alex Smith had some of that, where he was managing the game. but Alex could peel off a run from time to time. He's the number one overall pick. Well, I know. And he, yes, he was. So that's probably not fair.

But I always felt with Alex, didn't have a big arm, some physical limitations, but could occasionally. Who we liked a lot, who comes on the show, I think he's coming on today. Like, Sanchez, I think the fifth pick, Jets traded up for him. He could make plays. Game manager doesn't mean you're not athletic. It doesn't mean you can't make plays. It just means you're not going to carry a franchise, like a Josh

Allen with just physical traits nobody can duplicate. Well, we'll see about Josh Allen carrying anymore. Real quick word, Packers Falcons this weekend is interesting. Falcons defense, you know, Bryce Young moved the football on them despite the two picks. I don't know. I had thought the Falcons would be the side here, but I'm given more thought to Jordan Love and company. Like, we'll see what Aaron Jones's status is, did have the hamstring injury.

If you have two young quarterbacks, I don't know. I thought the play calling by Green Bay was really clever. How about the defense? I mean, they have like seven number one or first round picks. First round picks on that defense. And they showed up again. I mean, Justin Fields is under pressure. I don't know.

It's a tough game. Maybe you stay away. Final story. The Giants. Ah, yes. Talk about losers. 40 to nothing. That lost to the Cowboys.

It is just one game. They'll have to regroup ahead of their next matchup against the Cardinals. Brian Dable said, though, make appropriate adjustments this week. We evaluate the tape, I'd say, with a critical eye, starting with us as a staff first. and the players, obviously you take into account what happened the previous game. And, you know, we have difficult discussions if you need to have them and then try to make the best decision you can for the team, you know, based off of, you do look at performance in training cap, no question about it,

but you also are real with performance in the game. So I'd say it's probably a little bit of both. And then at the end of the day, you've got to make a decision that you think is going to help your team. Evan Neal's performance is going to be very scrutinizing. He got overwhelmed. So he was the kid out of Alabama, seventh overall pick, graded out as the 62nd out of 65 right tackles. And I thought he was sort of an improving player.

I don't know what happened. Like he was like a sleeper. I mean, he got destroyed. I will just say, remember how we talk about the gambling services giving out picks? About an hour ago, they gave out Giants minus four. It's now up to Giants minus five and a half against Arizona. Oh, I think.

I think the rule we always have, if you have a capable quarterback, Daniel Jones is capable, and you are humiliated on national TV, you know, I would have taken, I would have taken the Giants minus four. I don't know if I'd take a minus five and a half. It's kind of a dead zone, you know. I, again, the best numbers are never on our Blazing Five Friday. The number minus four giants is totally the play. You take the Giants. Now that number may move to six. Probably will. And then you stay away from it. But at four, remember Daniel Jones, historically played better away from home, I think the Giants are the side here.

We don't, you can, people struggle with this. We don't like the Giants this year. I'm sorry, I don't like the Giants this year, but I do like them this week. You know, you get that? Like, you may like a team this week, but you don't like them for the season. Some people don't totally understand that.

Tampa Bay, we liked them last week. Chicago this week? That's not a sophisticated theory or. We've got some unsophisticated. Well, yeah, yeah, yeah. I like teams on certain weeks because of a matchup, and I don't like the team. I mean, if two bad teams play, and you've got to pick a number or a side, you've got to pick one of them. I mean, the Houston Texans, this year, I will bet a Houston Texans game.

I think it's a five, six-win team. Texans Colts this week. Yeah, I mean. Colts are favored. They should be. They got more consistent quarterback play. Maybe. Yeah.

All right, Jay Mack with the news. Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by. Third line news. You know, it's what's really interesting is that we came into the season, all of us, you, me, everybody, thinking the AFC was significantly better than the NFC. Well, the NFC went four and O against the AFC this week. And the three teams that most of us had at the top of the AFC were Kansas City,

Cincinnati, and Buffalo, and they all lost, and their offenses all stunk. So where am I on those three teams? Here's my gut feeling. Kansas City is going to be fine. First of all, they have an excellent GM, and it's going to be a busy trade deadline that can find stuff they don't have. Secondly, they have an offensive coach. They'll solve their offensive problems. They've got Travis Kelsey returning, and now Chris Jones.

And my takeaway on that Kansas City loss was, wow, that defense is good, fast, and really young. Kansas City will be fine. They may not be 14 win fine. They'll be 11-12 win-fine. Cincinnati. Again, offense struggled, but they've got great weapons. They've got an offensive coach. They have a highly efficient quarterback who generally bounces back after losses. There's no trend that Joe Burroughs bad after week one disappointments, and he's had several week one disappointments. I think last year in week one he was bad. So they've started slow before.

I like their offensive personnel. They've upgraded at left tackle. I don't worry about Kansas City or Cincinnati, though I did think it was ugly and it may take them a few weeks to work their way out of it. Buffalo's different. They have a defensive coach. Their quarterback has regressed and the answer perhaps is not in-house. They still have no run game. They do not have a number two reliable wide receiver. The defensive coordinator quit. There are a lot of things about this team I just don't like. Stefan Diggs, has this team really over a barrel. You saw in that final draft, how many times did they go to him?

Three or four times? He's it. Their second best receiver may be a running back or a rookie tight end. So I think Buffalo's in some trouble. I watch Miami's offense. I've seen the Patriots and Jets defense. Hell, the Jets beat them last year. And I think this defense is better now than it was last year.

And so, you know, we've always known this every year. There's at least four new playoff teams. the average is about six, seven coaches get fired annually. There's a lot of fluidity in this league. And J-Mack and I talked about this during the off-season. I sort of leaned with they'll be fine as long as Stefan Diggs at the trade deadline. Maybe they get another receiver. I still think that is true, but they'll be fine.

J-Mack was a little more critical of Buffalo, and right now he's right. I just don't like what I see. Still can't run the ball. Pittsburgh Steelers, Buffalo Bills, defensive coaches. Can't figure out the run game. Kyle Shanan's always got a run game. I watched this weekend. Rams, Sean McVeigh, average O-line, you got a run game.

Mike McDaniel figures out the offense with small Tua. Bill's Steelers. How many years going to struggle with this O'Line? How many years an inability to develop a run game with defensive coaches? It's crazy, but Buffalo still can't run the football, which is remarkable because their quarterback is such a great runner and athlete. He can be such a diversion. He can be such a decoy that you think running the football,

they would eventually figure it out, and they just can't. By the way, the Jets can. The Jets can run the football. The Bills can't. That may be the secret sauce for the Jets going up and beating Buffalo. Now, Vaughn Miller will return, but the one thing I took out of the Jets game last night, that to help this team, if the run game's good and the defense is good,

they're not necessarily man overboard. I think they'll be in games. I just think you get the fourth quarters. The Jets' defense is on the field. You're facing Mahomes and Russell Wilson. And here's a Jimmy Garoppolo. And say what you want. They're better than Zach Wilson.

So I don't think the, I don't think the Jets capsize here. I think they're going to be competitive. I like their coach. I like their defense. I like their run game. But they are going to be in a quarterback deficit. And that is what it is.

You start looking at who makes a play. about one team a year can get in without a high-end quarterback. Maybe it's the Jets. If they can go up to Buffalo again and run the ball, and Buffalo still cannot run the ball. It's been five years. That's your little matchup advantage. They did it last year,

where Buffalo just couldn't consistently run the ball. They rely overwhelmingly on Josh Allen, and his best receiver has to go up against Soss Gardner, the Jets' strength. So the Jets do match up. Very well with Buffalo. Their best defensive player takes out their only, Buffalo's only elite perimeter player,

and the bills can't run the ball. So you're left to Josh Allen throwing 45 times. Look at the numbers. He turns it over twice a game. Fumble or pick last 20 games. So again, there's silver linings to the Jets. They're going to get their number one pick, and they're going to get a left tackle.

And Aaron's going to come back. So it's not all, and I do think this team will have fight. But man, 13 of the next 16 weeks, they got the second best quarterback. Now, they could argue we'll have the better defense. We'll have a comparable run game. We may have a better coach in many of those. So there is a way to walk into that locker room if you're Robert Sala and sell this to the team. We're going to have the best defense in the next 16 games.

We're going to have a run game that's as good as anybody that we face in the next 16 games. We're young. We've got character. I mean, there are things you can sell. I don't know if they match up with Miami. They match up with the bills. I saw it again last night. The bills become overwhelmingly,

Josh Allen, save us. That's their offensive game plan, because sauce takes out Stefan Diggs mostly. So that's the silver lining for the Jets today. Can I ask you real quick? How do they match up with the Cowboys? Because I'm going to put this out there. Who scares you more?

offensively. The Buffalo Bills or the Dallas Cowboys? The Cowboys have more than one weapon. They have cooks and C.D. Lamb. Gallops OK, not great. Tony Pollard is better than any running back for the bills. And I would take Dallas O-line over Buffalo. Okay. Josh Allen or Dak Prescott, who scares you more coming in when you're game playing? I'll tell you something. Josh Allen, four turnovers, is starting to scare me. Well, the Jets have dominated Allen in the last three meetings. 13 sacks. So there's a world where the Jets defense shows well against Dallas this week. No, no, no, no, the Jets defense is going to show well against everybody. But Buffalo is interesting because the Cowboys should be able to run the ball occasionally.

Buffalo can't do it six years in. They can't run the ball. And if you only have one receiver and my best player, Sauce Gardner, I take out your perimeter player. So what the bills did last night is what they are against the Jets. Josh, they look like Justin Fields and the Bears. Hey, Justin, save us. Hey, Josh, save us. That's not a game plan.

As good as Justin Fields, I mean, Justin Fields right now and Josh Allen, It's the same game. But you can save us. Why do they need the saving when they were up 13-3? Why is Josh Allen yoloing it all over the field? I don't understand the game plan. Some of that's on Dorsey, isn't it? You're up 13-3 and the opponent can't do anything.

The Jets are not going to be losing 38 to 6 every weekend. They're going to be in games, but generally over the course of 12 possessions, I have Mahomes, you have Zach Wilson. It doesn't matter how good your defense is I'm going to win the game. 13 possessions. I have two of you have Zach Wilson. I'm going to win the game. That's what I'm saying.

But the Jets are going to be in games. With this run game and this defense, nobody's scoring 28 points on the Jets. I mean, that would have to be a big turnover game. If Zach doesn't turn it overall, let's say he's one turnover again. You're not dropping 32 in the Jets. No way.

Bill's had one explosive play the entire game to Gabe Davis for 26. And that's with Josh Allen, two good tied ends and Stefan Bix. Yeah. one. And by the way, element of surprise, that had a whole off season to prepare for. Breece Hall had to himself.

Explosive plays yesterday. Look, I almost turned the time. Yeah, let's go. Have you seen that exciting? Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern, 9 a.m. Pacific. Hey, it's Ben. Host of The Fifth Hour with Ben Mallor.

It would mean a lot to have you join us on our weekly auditory journey. You're asking what in God's name is the fifth hour? I'll tell you, it's a spinoff of the Ben Mather show a cult hit overnight's on FSR. Why should you listen? Picture if you will a world where we chat with captains of industry in media, sports,

and more every week, explore some amazing facts about human nature and more. Listen to the fifth hour with Ben Mather on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcast, 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. A win is a win.

A win is a win. I don't care which I'm saying. Yep, that's me, Cliver Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey from basketball 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 what you need to be. Listen to The Clifford Show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts,

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

I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick it here, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. Including a recent episode with Mark Lamont Hill waxing all about crack in the 80s. To be clear, 84 is big to me, not just because of crack. I'm down to talk about crack on day, but just so y'all know. I mean, at this point, Mark, this is the second episode where we've discussed crack. so I'm starting to see that there's a through line.

We also have AIDS on the table right now. 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. Big Noon, Saturday kicks off on Fox with a good one, as Drew Allaire and Nicholas Singleton,

lead seventh ranked Penn State in a showdown against Illinois. Catch the action beginning Saturday at noon eastern on Fox. First of all, the Fox noon kickoff is a great show. I think they do. Last week's show was the best one they've ever had. It was just such a fun, fun show. You've got to watch that show if you haven't seen it. It's so fun.

They had so many personalities. Did you see the rating for Colorado's game? It was significant. Like 9.5 million people watched the game. An early game with the Colorado Buffaloes. It kicked off super early before noon. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I mean, they asked Fox asked Colorado and said, hey, can you start it early?

Yeah. And Colorado was like, yeah. And so, I mean, they work together. That's television's powerful and Colorado was cool about it. The benefit is the whole country watched. I think it got a bigger number than Texas Bama. Would not surprise me. That's insane.

That is insane. That is insane that the Colorado Buffalo's in two weeks, the power of Dion are driving a bigger number than the greatest dynasty in college football history and the Texas Longhorn brand. If you don't think there's power in stars, an early game with Colorado driving the marketing bus beats Texas Bama. Now, some of it's just the noon kickoff. It's so dynamic, you've got to watch that show. Okay, so a lot of, I don't know how many of you watch this. So I got to tell you something.

So, you know, I bought, you know, the Red Zone and I couldn't find it for like three minutes. I couldn't find it on my TV because it's moved around. So I missed the opening kick of all the games. So I was 1003, 1004, I watched the games and I missed the opening kick. So I didn't see this live. Sean Payton and Denver tried an onside kick to start the game. So I don't like onside kicks. Why?

The success rate's 5.3% last year. There's two things I hate in football. Fade patterns in the red zone and onside kicks. The Raiders scored a touchdown on that drive with that short field. And I love Sean Payton, but I didn't like that call. And the reason is an offense generally, especially a limited offense with Jimmy Garapolo, it's not going to be the Chiefs, right? It's not going to be like the Miami Dolphins.

They've got about 12 to 15 plays. They have designed that they really think will be the best against the defense, right? You got 12 to 15 plays in the books. You have the element of surprise. you may not be able to run them a second time. Defense is adjust. There's about 12 to 15 plays you have. Why give Jimmy Garoppolo a short field?

Make Jimmy Garoppolo go 80 yards to beat your defense. Because you don't view him as a special it guy, but he's certainly good enough in a short field to get you in the end zone, and he did. So they didn't even have to use all their structured, schemed, all their plays that they designed to use right out of the gate. They probably used half of them. So then by the second drive,

you have more element of surprise plays. Don't love it. I think there's aggressive and there's reckless. I thought that was a little reckless. I also think if it doesn't work and the success rates 5.3%. Russell Wilson once again is trailing in a football game. All quarterbacks are better leading in football games. It's easier.

Also, I don't think anybody envisioned a wild shootout in this game. I mean, the over under I checked this morning was about 43. So people were looking at a 24-20 game, why give away cheap points? If you don't recover it, it takes two first downs. Boom, Raiders have a field goal lead three-nothing. As it was, they took a touchdown lead. So now, Sean Payton did have a legendary onside kick in a Super Bowl, but that was different. You had to be super aggressive, bordering on reckless because you were facing Peyton Manning in his prime.

So when you face a Mahomes, I mean, we saw the Detroit Lions, J-Mack, facing Mahomes in Kansas City. Go for it on a fake punt deep in their own. territory. That's what you do with Peyton Manning in his prime or Aaron Rogers in his prime or Patrick Malm's in his prime. That's totally different. Super Bowl, onside kick, Saints got it, but you're facing Manning. Here you're facing Garoppolo. There's no reason to take a huge chance with a 94.7% failure rate in a game that was going to be 2420 either way. Because Jerry Judy was out, points were going to be at a premium for Denver and because the Raiders don't, I don't think they have a great offensive line. Garoppolo's not super mobile, they weren't going to roll out 38, 40 points.

So I thought here was Sean Payton yesterday explaining the onside kick. We just felt like we saw leverage opportunity and someone we wanted to take advantage of. Obviously, we didn't want to contact the ball before 10 yards. But it was kind of being aggressive, and yet we felt like we came to win a game. It was something we discussed. If we won the toss, we were going to defer. Then obviously we wanted it kicked over on our. our sidelines.

So, you know, it was just one of those things that we felt, percentage-wise, we felt pretty good about the odds. All right. Well, I disagree there. I have a right to disagree. I just disagree there. I feel like you're playing the result. I mean.

95% failure rate. It should have been, it should have been nailed. The guy just touched it at like nine and a half yards. I don't know. A little harsh. Raiders 7 Broncos nothing. I think Russell Wilson needs leads. Hour two next, her hierarchy.

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, 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. Hey, this is Robert from the Stuff to Blow Your Mind podcast.

Joe and I are both lifelong Star Wars fan, so we're celebrating May the 4th with a brand new week of fun, thought-provoking Star Wars-related episodes. Join us as we tackle science and culture topics from a galaxy far, far away, such as the biology of tontons and wampas on the ice planet hot, or the practicality and corporate business sense of the Sith rule of two. Listen to Stuff to Blow Your Mind on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.