2025 Week 15 NFL Recap: Mahomes and Parsons Injuries, Broncos and Bills Statements, Wild Card Race Decided?

16:32Jourdan Rodrigue:Yeah, I think so. Honestly, I think that it wasn't just that. We'll get to sort of a little bit more of the breakdown. A lot happened in this game, Greg and Patrick. It felt like nine games all stuffed into one actual football game with all of the sort of drama, chaos, and then actual football happened as well. But yeah, this was to me that the game that sent a message to the rest of the league that Bo Nix is ready to lead this team to a playoff push is, is able to play a complete four quarters, but not just that to give his, his offense an advantage in those four quarters. And you saw it with some of the ways that Sean Payton took the training wheels off the offense at a certain point of this game.

17:17Jourdan Rodrigue:The biggest thing though, that we have to start with is on the Green Bay Packers side, because these two teams entered the game as among the best of the NFL. And one team doesn't just leave with a loss, but with the looming and very ominous questions of what the future of this season is because the Green Bay Packers lost Micah Parsons to a knee injury, a non-contact left knee injury that reports so far are saying is feared to be a torn ACL. Matt LaFleur didn't have much more of an update after the game, but it wasn't just that. They also lost top receiver Christian Watson to an injury. The team is calling it a chest injury and offensive lineman Zach Tom, and they were also without Tucker Kraft.

17:56Jourdan Rodrigue:So you have to really start this thing by wondering what is, what does the near future look like for this team? Yeah, I want to, we've, we've had so many, you know, we've already had this, this Mahomes conversation. I wanted to give Boa's love and we will get to, cause I think it's a, could be a transformative win for the Broncos, but you're right. Parsons going down with what sounds like an ACL injury. Matt LaFleur said it doesn't look good, as you mentioned. And Evan Williams is another guy, along with Zach Tom, who are really important for their team, Zach Tom at tackle, that LaFleur said doesn't believe that they are going to be long-term injuries, but he's not sure if it's going to be a week or two weeks or three.

18:33So those two guys sound week to week, whereas omitting Watson in that scenario might mean his could be long-term, like Micah Parsons, but this has been a difference making like defense all season, but it's also felt like Micah Parsons has covered up some things, not getting a ton of pressure from other players on the Packers and their cornerbacks, you know, not the strength of their team. And Bo was making great throws today, but maybe we saw some of that even today after the injury.

19:02Jourdan Rodrigue:Yeah. Well, you saw it throughout the course of the game too. I mean, the thing that Bo Nix is doing is it's like the synapses are connecting when it's like time for Bo Nix to run and extend a play and also not over commit to a throw or take the the risky trick shot or make the decision that maybe is the lowest probability decision and it's all connecting really well there were times where he was on the move avoiding pressure Micah Parsons before he got injured was coming off the ball so fast and getting to him so fast to the point where we talked earlier this week about the Sean Payton and Bo Nix plan probably would get a lot of the screen game going.

19:44Jourdan Rodrigue:Well, they were playing Micah Parsons in a way where he was detaching quickly from his block and covering the screen. So blowing up these plays, but the plays that Bo Nix made came on crucial downs third and long where he worked out of structure, avoided pressure twice and gets the ball downfield for a conversion. Another third and three where I'm choosing to coin this play. It wasn't designed, but it probably will be moving forward as this moving screen where he was working to his right again to avoid pressure and sort of like fakes out the defense by thinking he's just going to go out of bounds.

20:18Jourdan Rodrigue:But then he dumps off the screen to Troy Franklin, who had a great connection with a really beautifully feathered, layered, long pass to Cortland Sutton for a 42 yard explosive, a fourth and three again to, to Cortland Sutton where they're just going for it. And you could see in this game, I mean, he, he missed, he only missed his second throw, like in the third quarter. And this was in a, in an incredible game where you didn't just see the way that he could make these plays happen, but also his, his situational awareness and the entire team situational awareness, but really Bo Nix catching, it's like a much more veteran player catching some of these defenders out of a personnel change with 12 men on the field and snapping the ball quickly so they get five more yards.

21:01Jourdan Rodrigue:The clock management at the end of the game, the communication between all of the receivers and the offensive linemen and Bo Nix, it feels like a mature operation for him only being in his second season. And like I said, it feels like coming together at a time where the Denver Broncos are sending a message to the rest of the NFL that they are going to be a nightmare to face in the playoffs, not just because their defense this time, because also because of their offense.

21:28Patrick Claybon:Yeah. We're expecting and calling for a majority of the first half. Oh, here's this rock fight in Denver between two very good defenses. And all of a sudden Jordan love and Bo Nix start going crazy where you, you only saw it. Next gen stats only credited the Packers with one quick pressure. Other than that, it seemed. And again, cause you know,

21:46Jourdan Rodrigue:yeah. And I would, I gotta say too, this is where I buy, I'm taking your take on like next gen, you know, I love it.

21:52Patrick Claybon:Proximity alert.

21:52Jourdan Rodrigue:Because Micah Parsons was there. Yeah, he was there.

21:55Patrick Claybon:And Nick's, to his credit, and just like Jordan said, was very imaginative with how to manipulate the pocket, including on the play where Micah Parsons got hurt because he got away from Micah Parsons on that play and kind of forced him to try to make that move that ultimately injured his left knee. But so much of this seemed like the culmination of two seasons of work and play calling between the head coach who's calling the plays and his younger quarterback than most. I know Bo played a lot of college football. But for you to have this game and this situation against this Packers defense where the screens, yeah, he was hitting on the short, quick passes.

22:34Patrick Claybon:He had two touchdowns. But the extended plays, especially on third and fourth down, where Bo Nix was 7 of 10 for 84 yards, 128 passer rating on third and fourth down in this game, 8.4 yards per attempt. Like this is not Dinkin and Duncan. Nix was taking shots down the field and hitting most of them in the second. And this has to be a game where you say they won because of Bo Nix, not with Bo Nix because look, their defense literally gave up points on the first five Packers possessions. So the Packers offense is essentially destroying them through the first possession of that second half. And then after that, the Broncos defense we expect to see shows up, but the Bo Nix helps to keep them in this game.

23:12Maybe Sean Payton does too by going for it on fourth down in two spots late in the fourth quarter, under five minutes to go showing faith in his offense on fourth and short multiple times, once giving the ball to Alex Prentice, like John Payton loves him a fullback, like in the biggest of spots. The other time Bo Nix had a, had an incompletion on the throw, but that kept the Packers in the game. But ultimately what a, what a great team win. And then, you know, you thinking about the Packers, Jordan longterm, it just feels like they're not going to be at the same level. And right now they're now behind the bears in the, in the NFC North and they're, you know, the chances for the one seed are obviously lesser.

23:51I think they have a chance, but just feels like their ceiling is significantly lower without Micah Parsons to the point where like, okay, if you're in the AFC, I'd might throw you right near the top of the mix, but you're not, I'm putting you a level below the Rams and the Seahawks.

24:04Jourdan Rodrigue:And I want to say too, just that it's not just that you're missing one, the best players in the NFL today. But, but also, you know, you remember when he first came in, he came in late before the start of the season, obviously when they made that, that move and it took them a couple of games to build a plan around him and to really understand as a group, because you can't really, you don't have time to do that during the season. That's what training camp is for is to install scheme, right? You don't have a ton of time to do that. You run your plays, the best ones, according to the defenses that you face, that's game planning, but you have to design now and do something in the, in a sudden change.

24:40Jourdan Rodrigue:And that's very hard to do. And you saw it at first, they were, uh, didn't, everyone was playing well individually, but they didn't quite come together in a way that we really wanted to see right away. Well, then they started firing on all cylinders, especially after the bi-week really came together and look like one of the best defenses in the NFL were playing like it. Certainly now they've got to do another sudden change. And that's what I think is, is more significant, uh, sort of the under layer of losing a player of that status because he is the center of a solar system. When you have a player like that, I saw it with Aaron Donald for years.

25:09Jourdan Rodrigue:When you have a player who is the center of the solar system, every other piece falls into orbit around it. And that is Micah Parsons. And now you have to figure out how all of the planets float around each other without him. And it's really tough to do, especially in December. It's going to be an enormous test for this coaching staff. It will. And I thought, you know, there was a moment when Love got the ball back down eight. If he was ever going to stick himself into that MVP conversation, it would have been some miracle comeback year. That's gone. But it could sort of make, and I think that's over with for Love.

25:46Like, it does make me just think that they're just going to have to go nuclear on offense, which it's possible. Josh Jacobs with some crazy, awesome plays today. It's certainly possible. But as Matt LaFleur said today, what was it? if it doesn't hurt, why are we doing this? Why are we doing this if it doesn't hurt?

26:04Jourdan Rodrigue:I mean, it's going to hurt. You know you're in trouble where you're on the of the Shanahan tree guys. You're on the side. You're vacillating towards Shanahan vibe. Dark, ominous, no one knows if we're going to be here Sunday vibe versus the Peppy Perky. We'll get him next week. Sean McVay vibe, you know? Matt LaFleur has taken a turn. No question. Meanwhile, Sean Payton, remember before the season him saying he thought he had a Super Bowl team? Well, they're the one seed with three games to go. And that upcoming game against the Chiefs, and to just think about that, it's often about who you play, when you play them.

26:38Like the Kansas City Chiefs, when you think about who they play the rest of the season, they have a game against the Broncos that now just looks like a total layup for Denver, whereas before, not so much. All right, Denver's number one, in part because of what happened in New England. The Patriots were one half away from winning the AFC East two weeks before Christmas, but they couldn't close the deal.

27:04Nick Shook:Too tight end set, but they're split out to the left with Shakir. Two on the right and an empty set. Third and goal from the 14. Here's the snap. Four-man rush. Allen steps up, fires, and he's got Knox in the end zone for a touchdown! Josh Allen with a laser to Dawson Knox for his second touchdown reception of the game. And the Bills, for the first time, have come all the way back to take the lead. Oh, Chris Brown on WGR. 35-31. The Bills win this game. And I chose that touchdown in particular. Because on every third and long, on every play where the Patriots could just get the Bills off the field in the second half, Josh Allen did something awesome.

27:57And it wasn't just one thing. There was playmaking. There was gutsy decision-making. I think the fourth down decision by McDermott to go for it was obvious enough. But the fourth down decision from Josh Allen to go for a seam ball up the middle to Khalil Shakir and put a perfectly placed pass in his hands where they called the pass interference. Patrick's making a face. I'll pick you up, Greg. that to the victor goes to bold. I mean, like, you know, he was bold. He put it right on him. A questionable pass interference. But he caught the ball anyways.

28:30Jourdan Rodrigue:A lot of those today. I thought that was an it's a bang, bang call. I've been complaining about the calls here, but he caught the ball. He got the ball in the end on that Shakir play. They ruled that he had the catch before Jones pulled it away. Either way, whatever Josh Allen and the Bills offense were trying to do, they got done in a span of five straight touchdowns. They go five for five in the red zone, keeping the Patriots in the last place. They are the worst red zone defense in the NFL by a decent amount. And yes, down 21-0. It's the first time the Patriots have blown a 17-point lead in 120 attempts at doing so.

29:12Only Josh Allen could do it. Mike Vrabel spoke after the game about last year's MVP.

29:19Patrick Claybon:Just watch all the games and know that it's just the same as it was last week. You had a guy free, weren't able to make the play. Last week's team had a guy free, weren't able to make the play. That's why they draft him and that's why they pay him$60 million. I don't know what to tell you. Poor Mike. That came after about 30 to 40 seconds of him just kind of rattling off a list of reasons why Josh Allen had him a little resigned. Remind me a little bit of that Josh Allen playoff game where Bill Belichick and the Patriots did not force a single stop of the Bills and Josh Allen.

29:54Jourdan Rodrigue:Yeah, I was going to... Actually, I'm glad you brought that up because I was like, he's feeling a little depressed at the podium, late stage Belichick right there. Certainly different vibes overall in New England. It's also really disheartening to lose like that when, according to NextGenStats, the Bills had a win probability of just 8 % at a certain point. And they came all the way back. And I just felt like coming into this game, we talked earlier this week about the bills and you just can't because of Josh Allen and because also of the variance that this team plays with for the positive in the second half of games, you can't really count them out ever.

30:34Jourdan Rodrigue:And certainly you could not count them out of a sweep, of a potential sweep. Yeah, they were plus 94 in the second half of games going into this week. They trailed 24 to seven at halftime in this game. So, you know, they make up a 17 point deficit and win by four. And that part of it didn't shock me because like the Patriots are a flawed defensive team and the Bills got it going before halftime with the touchdown drive. I think they won this game in part because in the second half of this game, their coverage held up and they got the Patriots off the field quickly every single drive. Now, one time they got him off the field quickly because it was a one play Travion Henderson touchdown that took back the lead.

31:18But overall, it was just the Patriots were living on the field and they had a lot of designer stuff and stunts and everything cooked up early in the game where they were kind of winning. And I felt like the Bills and Joe Brady and Josh Allen figured it out and they relied on on their quarterback, but also on James Cook in the second half of that game. And it felt like a prayer anytime the Patriots were trying to stop the Buffalo Bills after that.

31:40Patrick Claybon:I think the big play was made by Joey Bosa late in this game where the Patriots had a crucial fourth down. Mike Vrabel's going for it. Drake May and the Patriots had just had a kind of woeful drive considering how explosive they were. And I guess it's the plague of all these most explosive offenses where it's tough to sustain a lead when all you can do is get giant chunk plays as the Patriots were doing this entire game where they have Bosa actually drop as a spy. And of all the difficulty every single Bills defender had in keeping up with Drake May this entire game, Bosa is able to get his foot in the ground in the right moment where there's nowhere for Drake May to go.

32:21Patrick Claybon:And then when May decides to throw over him, he knocks that pass down, essentially saving the game for the Buffalo Bills. Yeah, it's such a great point because in the first half, Drake May and the Patriots coming out of their bye, remember they're coming off that week off. It really felt like, okay, hey, we're getting close to the end. Maybe let's press that Drake May design run and scramble button a little more than previously. And he had two rushing touchdowns in the first half of the game after having two all season long. And he was playing fantastic. There was a great throw down the sideline to Booty.

32:52Like Matt Collins had a couple of nice plays. But you're right. It's so dependent on the big play. Hell, let's listen to a moment in time because I have a feeling our friend Scott Zolak is going to have a great call on the Travion Henderson touchdown.

33:05Nick Shook:Now New England goes to work from the I-formation. Two receivers to the left with May under center. Tosses it right for Travion Henderson. The Bills haven't defended well. He tries to bounce it back left. He spreads it down. The 40. He's a 45-50. 45-40. Two men to beat. 25-20. 50-10. Touchdown, Patriots. You've got to be kidding me. And like that, New England has the lead. I'm sitting here getting a rip-up. because they went tossed right into the mass of the defense. It's a bad call. The rookie kicks the backside, and your quarterback recognizes it, and he busts his ass to get out in front of the speed guy because he's got wills, and he busts two guys.

33:51Nick Shook:You're witnessing something that is really starting to come together for this team. Oh, man. That's so good. almost as good as the most loathsome man in sports media, Dave Portnoy. They sent me a video about how they own the East and their new dynasty has started in the middle of this game. They're making it hard to be a Patriots fan out here. It's hard the whole time, Greg. No one who's with you. You're not to be kidding me! And then they blow that game. But I think it makes sense to me. They're a young team to sweep the bills. Man, it doesn't mean they can't win the division. There's still one up that game against the Ravens looks even bigger next week.

34:33It just makes sense to me to beat a team like the Bills. And after that Henderson play, by the way, it was like, man, their defense cannot get off the field before that. And it's just very methodical. James Cook up the middle, up the middle to secure penalty on Carlton Davis, who's struggling and is just very methodical. The Bills didn't mind and they answered and they are right near the top of my contenders in the AFC.

34:56Jourdan Rodrigue:I like what you said mentioning the youth of this offense overall, because I think that the Bills know something and are very practiced and experienced in something, especially with Josh Allen at quarterback, that the Patriots are still learning and figuring out, which is the explosive plays are awesome. But if the other team's strategy is to get the ball back into the hands of the quarterback as much as possible, your entire strategy has to be avoiding doing that, which means playing more ball control on offense. I'm not saying it's not a good thing to have explosive plays. That's fantastic, obviously.

35:26Jourdan Rodrigue:But balancing those things out with a ball control offense, you are more than capable of doing it. This quarterback is capable of doing it. That balance is necessary when you have an absolute unit of a weapon on the other side in Josh Allen, who is going to make you pay for it if you give him one more chance to snap it. I just think these are two really heavy offensive-leaning teams. And ultimately, Allen was better today. Drake may, it was a couple plays in the second half where he makes a bad throw. He gets away with one interception. He has an arm punt. I don't mind that decision at all on a play where Booty goes up for a pass on third and long.

36:02But I think that's a good point because look, they ran the ball well all day. It wasn't just big plays. They had a design success rate of 54%, but they just couldn't keep the ball in the second half. Shout out to Josh Allen, who's not out of the MVP race. Patrick, I think you should score some points because you know what gets some extra points when the camera shows you on the sideline puking during a game if you come back to win on the road. And that's just what Josh Allen does.

36:32Nick Shook:I mean, if they don't catch it every game, I don't know. It basically happens every game. If I don't get enough out pregame, it usually happens at halftime. If I don't get enough at halftime, it usually happens in the third or fourth quarter.

36:46Patrick Claybon:and that's just, I don't know why I do it. It just happens and it's due to nothing else but other than just like a weird feeling. Just got to get it out. Shout out to Productive Nerves, you know, like the greatest athletes of all time. They feel it a little bit and just a boot and rally.

37:03Jourdan Rodrigue:Better that way than the other way, daring a football game. No question. This Bills team, they've turned around since Eric Roberts was in the crowd watching them. Big day in the MVP conversation. We're going to get to Matthew Stafford after the break.

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42:01Nick Shook:Colby Parkinson go off. His second score of the day. The Rams are back on top by two possessions. It's a multi-touchdown performance for the MVP frontrunner, Matthew Stafford, against his former franchise. If it's a day that ends in Y, It's a Colby Parkinson touchdown day and a great call by J.B. Long day on KSPN. When he said MVP, I thought like, all right, let's slow down. Parkinson's been good, but that's a little much. Matthew Stafford goes for 368 and a couple of touchdowns in a game that the Rams trailed by two scores in the second quarter. They get a field goal right before halftime, Patrick, to cut it to one touchdown, and then they roll second straight week.

42:55They go over, what is it, 400 yards and 40 points, 500 yards, and they win the game 41 to 34. What impressed you the most out of these Rams?

43:05Patrick Claybon:It was the Colby Parkinson game who makes a play in the first half where you and I are going in the next-gen stats to try to figure out what's going on with Aiden Hutchinson, who has a turnover, and Aiden Hutchinson's running free. Nothing but green turf in front of Aiden Hutchinson. He hit a top speed of 18.5, 6 miles per hour. Colby Parkinson put up a 20 on the MPH and chased him down. The big tight end that comes up with that. After that, he has two touchdowns in a game where Devontae Adams leaves with a hamstring injury. Not sure about the status long term. They're a scary one. And Puka Nakua in and out of this game in spots where this Lions defense and Calvin Joseph have a plan that bothers quarterbacks.

43:49Patrick Claybon:And it has bothered them to the extent where Matthew Stafford missed an absolute layup to Ferguson in this first half, where Stafford hits that 99 out of 100 times. But the Lions were scrappy. And unfortunately for Jared Goff, who famously on Fantasy Live, Adam Rank calls an indoor cat. He's got an indoor game at SoFi Stadium, but he's not beating the pressure allegations because his first half was great. 221 yards, three touchdowns. He was not hit. and Young and Verse combined had one pressure in the first half. In the second half you get a sack from Young, excuse me, from Kobe Turner after that considerable difference.

44:30Patrick Claybon:Post sack the game goes the other way as the Rams keep marching down the field. Nakua comes back in. Again, Puka's in and out of the entire second half but there was one drive in this game where Sean McVay goes for it on fourth down twice. both of those fourth downs stafford to nakua uh converts there in great game by blake quorum great game by karen williams the run game a little bit of the difference there um but you have to talk about this rams pass rush uh down because emmanuel forbes got put in some really rough situations the lions had a chance to make this a a closer game fourth and one uh on the goal line it is emmanuel forbes right there on amon rossst brown jared goff everybody in the stadium knew exactly where that ball was going.

45:15Patrick Claybon:Unfortunately, the stripes officiated Emmanuel Forbes in the same way that Riley Moss has been getting officiated all season long where there wasn't a whole lot there. They get the flag. They get a David Montgomery touchdown, but too much Puka and Stafford late as the Rams were able to. You know, what's crazy is like Puka can go for nine for 181

45:33Jourdan Rodrigue:and miss half the game. It's just that. And also that we're not talking about him for MVP. And his season is just absolutely outrageous because it's the big plays and the crazy catches, but because it's those fourth downs as well. Like a couple like one of them I know was a really difficult contested catch. And this dude is just carrying like an offense as much as you can carry an offense when obviously Stafford is the MVP candidate. And I think he's the clear front runner now with with three weeks to go. in an offense where Devontae Adams is scoring all those touchdowns, but now we don't know how long he's going to be out with a hamstring injury.

46:14It'd obviously be very surprising if he plays on Thursday night. But it's just another Lions game where I think, okay, we're getting used to the fact that the other good NFC teams have significantly better run games and have better defenses. And so, yeah, like Jared Goff, he has to try to keep up in a shootout, but it's just not, the Lions aren't as good at the other stuff this year. And the defense, which looked great for a while, like the floor has kind of fallen out the last month and a half.

46:42Jourdan Rodrigue:Yeah. And it's some of its personnel, right? Because yes, a lot of it. Yeah. And they've been so injured on the back end. And I think that especially once they were able to sort, sift through what the coverages were doing when Matthew Stafford and some of the route combinations that the Rams were using, you saw, of course, you saw their 13 personnel and you saw they were using the tight ends a lot, which does give them a significant, I think, size advantage. But also you saw them mess around with like Tutu Atwell was in there a little bit. He's back.

47:12Patrick Claybon:Yeah, big catch as well.

47:14Jourdan Rodrigue:Yeah, a great catch. It was like scooping an inch off the ground type of catch. It was incredible on the sideline. And it was also using both running backs. And it was just throwing everything you possibly could at this Lions defense. Obviously, the significance of this win is not lost on anyone in that building, not just because of the history between the two teams organizationally, but also the Rams clinched a playoff spot by winning this game. So it is certain that they will go to the postseason. And they built themselves to do this. This is why they built in so much variety into this offense.

47:49Jourdan Rodrigue:And the one weak spot that we've been talking about all year, again, showed up over and over and over again. Because when there is no pressure, and in the first half, the Rams front, as great as they are, but were really struggling to get pressure to Patrick's point. And they played that, that zone that they like to play in the back and they, the Lions receivers were just getting explosive after explosive after explosive against these guys. Akella Witherspoon was a healthy scratch. So AKA was benched. And so it's Emmanuel Forbes and it's no Quentin Lake who they badly miss in the middle of the field directing traffic.

48:22Jourdan Rodrigue:And it is Darius Williams and it is Kobe Durant. Who's been really great when he's been good, but can sometimes get picked on a little bit too when he's not having a good game. And it's like a rotating plan at safety. And basically, if you can't get enough pressure, these corners are in trouble and teams know it and they try to key in on it. Yeah, Ollie Connolly, who does the Saturday show, noted in the second half, they went 54 % single high. They went from kind of the split safeties they usually have and they go single high just to put some numbers on it. And that really helped on the back end.

48:55You mentioned Kobe Durant. Hell, let's actually watch a tough moment for him. It was Jamison Williams' second touchdown. Jamison Williams in the Dan Campbell play caller era is freaking insane. Seven for 134 and a touchdown. Aman Rago's 13 for 164. I mean, they're putting up fantasy numbers while the run game for the Lions is not. But yeah, just watch the Durant dive at the end of this absolute dime by Jared Goff.

49:18Nick Shook:Long count. There's the snap. Jared back. Jared looking, looking, throwing right side. Jamo in zone. Got it. Touchdown Detroit Lions. Oh, baby, what a dime from 16. 31 yards on the connection. Kobe Durant in coverage, but J-Mo blew right by him. I had one of the best celebrations of the year, too. The 40-yard dash everyone wants to see was seeing Jameer Gibbs and Jamison Williams. But the dive by Durant, he was like 15 yards away from the ball.

49:45Patrick Claybon:It was top five futility dives of all time. If folks want to go back and watch that play, because there's no chance he gets to that ball. But nobody's going to be mad at you in the field room. like that's that's selling out for no reason but it's selling out jaymo's gotten really creative

49:58Jourdan Rodrigue:with his celebrations patrick and i were talking earlier in the day right right as the game started a great a big first down conversion and he pretended to to pick his nose through like the sort of uh like scarf thing or face mask thing that he wears pretended to pick his nose and flick it but pointed the first down conversion as the flick it's amazing like i've never seen that one before that's pretty great uh jaymo always entertaining i think this was as big a a win for the Rams as it was as crushing a loss for the Lions. Cause I know people kind of had this chalked up and there's a long way to go.

50:32They are two losses behind a game and a half behind the Packers. Now for the seventh seed, the 49ers are a couple of losses ahead and they have an uphill battle now to make the playoffs and the Rams now back into the first seed, at least for now, Thursday night pending would the Seahawks do their part and take out Philip Rivers and set up a great Thursday night game Seahawks Rams first and 10 11 seconds Taylor

51:03Patrick Claybon:in the backfield for Rivers takes the snap four man rush Rivers gonna throw down the seam gonna

51:10Nick Shook:be intercepted and that's gonna do it ball is high to the intended receiver it is picked off by Kobe Bryant. And he races to the south end zone. His fourth interception of the season. A career high. The Seahawks defense, they nail it on the second to last play of the game. Kicking off Phillip Rivers. Oh. Our beautiful boy was so close. Our beautiful grandpa. Phillip Rivers directed a drive. These are facts. In the fourth quarter of a National Football League game against the number one defense, according to DVOA, on Sunday, that led to a field goal being kicked to take the lead with under a minute and a half to go.

52:06How dare the Seahawks score too quickly to even set him up for that interception? throwing over 10 yards was not going to be Philip Rivers's strength today. We learned that, but he did have them in position to win the game. Ultimately Seahawks pull it out 18 to 16 in a field goal fest for the Colts. I'm torn on what to think about the Seahawks side of things. So let's just start on Phil. How did it make you feel, Patrick, to see this man who was in the NFL when you were just like cutting your teeth as like a college reporter, making passes out there.

52:44Patrick Claybon:It was great. It made me think about NC State and T.A. McClendon and all those guys playing for the Wolfpack with Phillip Rivers. No, but to be perfectly honest, just to see the release, the back battle, obviously the physical stature is not necessarily the same for Phillip Rivers, but to see him operating the offense, to see the way the team. And yeah, I joke about the team trying hard, but to see these guys rally around Phillip Rivers, especially the Colts that were there back in 2020, And I think about that final possession where it's a third and five and Philip Rivers is thinking, you know, hey, the world's like, what's Philip Rivers got?

53:18Patrick Claybon:And he checks to the draw because he believed in Jonathan Taylor and Shane Steichen sends out the kicker because he believed in the decision that Philip Rivers made at that point. And it comes through and it makes it even more frustrating. Yeah. The way that things ended because that that storybook stuff. Yeah, I misspoke when I said under 90 seconds to go. The Blake Groupie hit a 60-yard field goal in Seattle to take the lead with 52 seconds to go. It was third and seven. And yeah, Rivers checks to a run there. I think he saw a look. He gave it to his best player. You know, Taylor picks up four yards.

53:55In the moment, I was talking to you, it's tricky because you're going against the Seahawks defense. But I would go for the fourth and three. You're laughing, Jordan.

54:05Jourdan Rodrigue:No, I agree with you. I love the group you made this kick. You're going to need every single person to be at their best on this team for this Colts team to pick themselves back up. And that's certainly what you saw today. But we were just talking before. It's like, listen, we're getting the Phillip Rivers experience here. And so why don't we just go all in? Tush, push. Do it. Yes. Well, it's funny because I saw a lot of body shaming for poor Phil today. You know, a little bit of a dad box. He was set up for failure. He was also wearing that protection. I don't know. Over on Blue Sky, there was a lot of Hank Hill backside comparisons to Philip Rivers' body, which I don't think is fair.

54:43He was set up for failure.

54:45Jourdan Rodrigue:White uniforms will set you up for failure every time. I couldn't unsee it. But it was a fascinating game management game overall, like at the end of the first half, at the end of the second half. And so the decision there is, do you have a better chance of picking up those three yards in getting to finish with the ball and whatever the groupie field goal attempt is going to be, or the chance of winning first groupies got to hit the kick and then you got to get the stop. And even though they didn't give up a touchdown all day, it felt like as the game wore on, the Seahawks were certainly moving the ball better and better.

55:18And I had very little faith with this new kickoff rule that the Colts defense was going to prevent the Seahawks from hitting a field goal. And they did. You know, it took a couple of plays for them to be in field goal range. They did stop him, so they got that one or two plays at the very end. But it's not a decision I can kill either way. I think it was just a very difficult decision. And Groupie made him look better. And ultimately, his defense, which played awesome today, played their hearts out, just couldn't get a stop. And Jackson Smith and Jigba put another credit to him on the Offensive Player of the Year, Candice, because it was his big catch and run that set them up in the second half.

55:58And it was a really key catch where he gets open to help set up that game winning field goal. So it's just good ball. The fact that Philip Rivers was in this game, I mean, they were 13 and a half point underdogs. Let's give the man some credit. Absolutely.

56:09Patrick Claybon:And a lot of credit going to Lou Anarumo. Yes, maybe even more. As far as the defensive play college performance and the way that Liao Tulatu played and getting pressure on Sam Darnold. And this Colts defense as a whole, they hold Darnold to a negative four completion percentage over expected. They were five of 13 on third down, which I also think plays into the field goal decision. Like, all right, Lou. All right, everybody, boys. You guys have almost pitched the shutout essentially against an offense that was screaming up and down the field the first 10 weeks of the season. They just they just couldn't about 10 more yards.

56:43Patrick Claybon:Yeah. The problem was, I think because of the game situation, it was like the second half of this game and even really how the first half ended. Nine play drive by Seattle, 11 play drive by Seattle. Then the Colts did have a good drive to force a punt. But then an eight play drive from Seattle, 11 play drive from Seattle. And that's what set up that final sequence. So they were moving the ball. And look, Rivers' arm strength was not there compared to where we last saw him. And it obviously wasn't like an upper tier strength for him even then. But he made good decisions. He avoided mistakes. And I think he managed the game.

57:20and he even had a touchdown pass. It was all worth it.

57:25Nick Shook:Third down and three at the seven-yard line. Rivers backs into the shotgun, looking over that defense, four on the play clock. Takes a step, three-step drop, looking, throws inside the five, touchdown for the Colts, and it's Josh Downs across the goal line. Touchdown, I-N-D-Y.

57:44Patrick Claybon:And the Colts now are on top, 12-3. Man, Phillip Rivers came off the couch and came out here throwing dimes. Awesome call there by Matt Taylor and Charles Arbuckle on WFNI. And Rivers told the broadcast team on Saturday. Oh, yeah, okay. He told them, I could get killed out there tomorrow. It could go horribly. I know the Hall of Fame thing, like I pushed that five years back. But he said on Saturday, it has all been worth it because I had so much fun this week practicing with everyone. So it's really got to be worth it for him now. And it does make me even more interested to watch Monday Night Football against the 49ers.

58:23It's got to be a tough one against the Jaguars. And then you're at Houston. It's a brutal slate of games for Phillip Rivers. But he's got to entertain us at least. How will his body feel tomorrow? Not great. He did get rid of the ball as quickly as he could. But he still took, you know, a hand more than a handful of hits in this game. It was against Seattle.

58:45Patrick Claybon:including one from the logo where he takes a step back into the logo, slips down, but to his credit, gets back up and gets a few yards where it's like you see the spry, the spry 44-year-old that doesn't even know his own weight. Shout out to Phillip Rivers.

59:02Jourdan Rodrigue:What's that mean where it's like the player is 29? He's like, oh, is he older than dirt? He's out. And then all of the rest of us like normal people are thinking, oh, that's really, that's pretty nice. Well, to you, Phillip Rivers is older than Dirk. Yeah. To me. He's like your status. He's still a couple years younger. I was already covering the league when he was getting drafted, unfortunately. Look, Seahawks, this first half offense, being a little sluggish, Sam Darnold certainly not playing nearly as well as the first half. It's a thing. The running game not being quite as consistent over the last two weeks.

59:37I know they played great in the second half last week. It's a thing. Just like the Rams secondary is their bugaboo. So yeah, Sam Darnold and overall, this offense is not up there with the elites, but can their defense make up for that? I think all these NFC teams have one issue. This is an 11-3-3 team. They had an over-under going into the year of eight and a half wins. They're awesome. I almost see too much negativity from the Seahawks fans of like, oh, they're not real contenders. Why not? We'll find out on Thursday night. In the meantime, let's talk about another team that could be a contender, the Baltimore Ravens.

1:00:08Nick Shook:Play clock at one. Burrow takes the snap. Drop the throw. Blitz pressure coming. It's intercepted at the five. Kyle Van Nooy hands it off to Gilman along their sideline. Alohi Gilman to midfield. He's gone. 40, 30, 20, 10. Touchdown, Ravens. Alohi Gilman. And with 7.38 left to play in Cincinnati. The Hayes and the Bars. Ooh. Love that call by Jerry Sandusky on WBAL. A.L., one of those most mature, responsible handoff slash laterals from a defensive player of all time.

1:00:47Jourdan Rodrigue:Please take this.

1:00:49Patrick Claybon:Oh, I don't want this right now. Just an easy moment. The Bengals don't seem to be trying right now. Why don't you take this? You just try to hand the ball off for 12 yards. So self-aware. I absolutely love it. Compare it to a Giants interception later in the day where there's three laterals where they're just winging it out there. That was awesome.

1:01:10Jourdan Rodrigue:It was a baton. It was like running the 400. Stick. Yeah. Such a weird game here. 24 to nothing. The Ravens win. A much needed win. Lamar Jackson only threw the ball 12 times in this game. That's all he had to, Patrick. He still ended up with a couple touchdowns and 150 yards. How are you feeling after a shutout victory, a little revenge for your Ravens?

1:01:30Patrick Claybon:The first thing I wrote when I got the game assignment and I had my trusty notebook, I've been trying to channel Greg Rosenthal with mixed results because I forget how bad my handwriting is.

1:01:40Jourdan Rodrigue:I was going to say, I'm looking at both of your handwriting. That took me a couple of years. I just write in all caps now. It looks like a serial killer, but then I can read it.

1:01:47Patrick Claybon:Yeah, I struggle with my own because I know it's bad. Can the Ravens win without a pass rush? The Ravens got a pass rush today to the extent where Joe Burrow had one of the worst games I've ever seen Joe Burrow play. He was shut out for the first time as a professional. You got to go back to the season before they had the greatest offensive season in college football history against the University of Alabama the last time. burrow had a team where he plays the game and they get and they get shut out where they were dominant early uh jamar chase had a turnover in this game i'll credit jamar chase with the turnover because the pass rush gets to joe burrow the arm angle changes so chase jumps early because he's expecting he's you know he's played with joe burrow a lot that that ball's going to get there the ball's a little fluffy he jumps late ball goes off his hands it's intercepted by marlon humphrey and thinking it's going to go back and forth because lamar has a rube goldberg interception of his own where he throws a pretty nice ball to Zay Flowers.

1:02:40Patrick Claybon:Yeah, shout out to Rube Goldberg and all those machines where Zay Flowers boots the ball to Jordan Battle, and I'm thinking, oh, here we go. The Ravens are going to have weird turnovers again. It's going to be back and forth. No, that's essentially it. Baltimore plays a pretty clean game on offense and a dominant game on the defensive side of the ball where Mike Green, who it's been like missing. Is Mike Green going to eventually make a play and be worth all this, you know, the consternation of bringing him on to the franchise, considering the questions for the draft. And, you know, he contributes with a sack.

1:03:11Patrick Claybon:They get multiple pressures from all types of guys. And the Ravens have a dominant win. Yeah, full team win, too, in the second half of this game. I'm surprised the Ravens' rush success rate isn't higher than 47%, because in the second half, they were starting to blow open big holes for Keaton Mitchell, who ends up with 66 yards, and then Derek Henry, who had a nice runway during it. And look, I know the Bengals' defense is bad, but the Bengals offensive line had been playing well. And certainly Joe Burrow had been playing well leading into this game. It is interesting. And we're going to listen to Joe Burrow's comments during the week.

1:03:45It's just think about this performance in the context of these comments. These are actually from Wednesday. I want to keep doing this. I have to have fun doing it. You know, I've been through a lot and if it's not fun, then what am I doing it for? So that's the mindset I'm trying to bring to the table.

1:04:08Patrick Claybon:Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but it seemed frustrating. There's just a lot of things going on right now. A lot of things going on right now. Football related, personally? All of you both. So Joe Burrow addressed that after this game and he said, you know, his comments had nothing to do with Cincinnati, everything to do with my mindset. in football he also pointed out look last week where he seemed very resigned that was a weird press conference too after the game last week he seemed very resigned for joe burrow after the game just kind of accepting i guess it's just not our year and you know he pointed out he thought he played near perfect last week and that this week was one of the worst games that he's ever played and uh it's just a lot i don't know what do you think's going on here um i i think that on the outside there's been questions about the long-term viability of zach taylor as the head coach of cincinnati bangles i i think if if the coach's job is anything it's it's to manage uh the way that the the players are coming into the game plan the way that the players are feeling throughout the week um they the bangles went through a lot as joe burrow has uh to get back to this point and i know that the end of the of the game and the loss to buffalo was frustrating he had those he had a pick six he had back-to-back weeks with a pick six and the aloe gilman reluctant not unreluctant handoff from Kyle Van Nooy on that play where I I know he says that it's you know it's not Cincinnati related I don't think it's related to the landmass and the people in pay core stadium on the day but perhaps related to one in particular fair and it can't be really about ownership because he signed that kind of not that you couldn't be frustrated a little bit But I think he's in it in Cincinnati.

1:05:53I think that's a fair read. Although I could point a little finger at ownership. We actually have a picture, I believe, of the unsnowed seat at the game. Courtesy of Nick Wesseling's sister-in-law. Despite this being an audio medium, some people do watch on YouTube. You can actually see the unshoveled seats. And shout out to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. You know, sometimes it seems a little overly litigious, but pointing out that it's an NFL rule. You got to you got to get the snow off those sheet, those seats, Mike Brown. You're making everyone show up in like zero degree windshield and you can't even get the seats clean for the poor Bengals fans out there.

1:06:36Give me a break. Yeah, I just like, come on. This is the it's a professional football.

1:06:41Jourdan Rodrigue:Yeah. And it's when you're the quarterback, you represent that. You know, I think it's a lot to think about if you're Joe Burrow. like what exactly it is that you're representing and what exactly it is that you're the face of. And certainly you can, I think in, and probably should in some ways criticize the push and pull of power that gets him, you know, the players he wants, but the team is also not capable of being constructed in clearly a substance, in a functional way around him. And, and it's, it's to me when I watch a person, who is in his late 20s at this point, will be entering his 30s.

1:07:25Jourdan Rodrigue:Now, this is a little bit more like my recent memory of a lifetime line is you go through another sort of transition mentally where you figure out what you're going to be in the world. You have chased the career. You've chased what you do, right? You chase what your structure is, but you have to now start thinking about like what you want your life to feel like and representing the team and where you are and the place that you are in mentally. I see a person who's, who's lost in that regard. And I hear a voice that that's very close to the surface when you're laughing and smiling off these, oh yeah, it's, it's a little both and all these things.

1:08:09You're usually masking something else that's

1:08:12Jourdan Rodrigue:significant. And, and I think it's very close to the surface for him. And I'm not trying to overly psychoanalyze. He's the one wearing the crystal, not me. But I will say like it's it's to me, I'm concerned about him. I think mentally just from afar.

1:08:25Patrick Claybon:I don't have as much concern. I'm glad Joe Burrow is willing to share and to be open because he could very easily. Yes. Have just nonsense. Oh, yeah. Looking forward to this. Blah, blah, blah. Taking that. But and when you watch the whole 10 minutes, like, no, I totally normal and in like open and not at all concerning. Like when you watch the whole thing, these are sometimes taken, not out of context, but just like when you're that honest for 10 minutes straight, that things like that do pop. And then to have the nastiest game of your career four days after that, you know, causes people like us to go back.

1:08:59Patrick Claybon:Yes.

1:09:00Jourdan Rodrigue:I listen to the whole thing and I'm not saying I'm like, oh, he's saying he wants out. Like I'm not saying that at all. But I hear some things to be concerned about on a human level. For sure. That's what I'm saying. And I think the coaching thing is fair. I think both of these coaches are there. So every coach is a little up in the air in the AFC North. Probably not Tomlin, but I don't know. He started like putting those things out. It just made me wonder, like, if does he want out? Because I don't think the Steelers want him out. But does he want out? Well, the Ravens, they got to seven and seven.

1:09:31We'll see if that's good enough for a tie for the AFC North lead. The Steelers game pending, obviously. But I know John Harbaugh's feeling better. And you knew it was kind of the Ravens day when Lamar almost threw a pick. And then the very next players are certainly that drive. He hits that long touchdown to Zay flower. So the big plays were back for the Ravens. Speaking of big plays, how about the offensive juggernaut in Houston?

1:09:56Nick Shook:Look, I don't care how we pick up 36 inches. I don't know that anybody does. If you got to throw it, throw it. It doesn't matter to me. Just pick it up. Find a way to get this thing in. If you're not getting movement, boost CJ out, throw it. Whatever you got to do, put this thing in. Third and goal at the one. Stratton is center. And they snap it directly to Marks. He runs in. CJ got out of the way. Marks got the snap. Got the touchdown. Razzle dazzle. The Texans score on third and short. Good thing it was 36 inches. Yeah. They got it in, Andre Ware. Moved it around. And he made sure. Mark Vandermeer and Mr.

1:10:35Ware on KILT. Could have picked many touchdowns. The Texans put up a 40-burger on the pathetic Cardinals defense. 40-20. It is bad. They're not even that injured, by the way. They're pretty healthy up front, and he's a defensive coach. It's not going well, but let's give credit where credit is due. Woody Marks made sure he got that 36 inches, and then he got about, like, I don't know. I would have to do the math, but. Five more feet. Yeah, like 190 more inches. He jumped from the two. He landed about six or seven yards into the end zone. That was incredible, Jordan.

1:11:09Jourdan Rodrigue:I know. I loved it because that, and we talked about putting this play as the highlight, even though there were so many to choose from because it was such an ass-kicking by the Houston Texans all day in every phase, including special teams where they forced an early takeaway, an early fumble on the kickoff unit for the Cardinals. But that Woody Marks play was a play to me that sums up that the Texans' offense is how they're coming back to life. young players such as Woody Marks are really giving it a boost. Like there's no actual reason for Woody Marks to launch himself through the end zone like Ralph Wiggum coming through the window.

1:11:46Jourdan Rodrigue:But he does it. Why not? Why not? Why the heck not? There's no reason, by the way, for CJ Stroud to make maybe the toughest throw available to him on this play. A 16-yard pickup to Dalton Schultz where, look at this, guys. as he throws it to, yeah, oh yeah, there's a player there. You can't really tell at first because it is so unclear because there's so many defenders crashing down and another eligible receiver in front of it. Why not take the hardest play in front of it? I do posit this as a throw of the year nominee just in terms of sheer difficulty and because it is so absurd in terms of its difficulty level and the tightness of that window that you almost felt like it was maybe an accident that CJ Stroud particularly threw it to Dalton Schultz there.

1:12:33Patrick Claybon:I do think the touchdown to Woody Marks was an accident. Either that was great fake work by CJ Stroud turning around with his eyes as big as saucers after the snap goes between his legs to say, oh, the ball's going to the ground. And then it's directly like a weird wobbly pass that hits Stroud's hand on the snap on the way back. I think that might have been an accident.

1:12:54Jourdan Rodrigue:Yeah, it was it was and it was rolled a fumble recovery because the snap was bad. And then they they mishandled it. But then Woody Marks, like I said, he just launched himself. But it was great. And you know what? I mentioned the young players. The kids are all right in Houston, guys, because when Woody Marks left the game because he was dealing with some ankle issues that he was in and out of the game throughout for, Jawar Jones, a former six-round pick, he came in and became the Texans' first 100-yard rusher of the season, played outstanding, had a great game. And between Woody Marks and Jaden Higgins and Jawar Jordan And these guys are growing up together.

1:13:32Jourdan Rodrigue:And it's very interesting because the defense is so mature. The defense is such a, like we talked about them being like professionally violent as a, as a unit. And so the offense going through its growing pains early in the season and then coming out and putting together a really, really solid and complete game. Yes. Against a bad team, a bad defense, but an absolute thorough beating that was over in the first quarter. really it felt like it was over because the 17 nothing first quarter yeah because well and it was it was over at 10-0 because before it was 10-0 before Jacoby Brissett even touched the ball because CJ Stroud on the second play from scrimmage hits Nico Collins on a on an explosive touchdown and then the very next play or on the kick on the following kickoff then the Cardinals fumble it and and the Texans set up a field goal and then when you play from an early deficit against this defense you're screwed because of how sound and aggressive this defense is So it felt over immediately.

1:14:29Jourdan Rodrigue:And the Texans just piled on. Well, they're starting to do things that real deal teams do. Like the Seahawks, for instance. They just put away the Cardinals quickly and hid. And it's not like they had like a million possessions or had defensive scores. I know the special teams in defense did set up two short fields. But they had nine scores. I mean, they had 40 points in, I believe, only 10 drives. which like they either missed a field goal or scored on every drive, but one today they had, it's like CJ Stroud. And one thing I noticed in the post game with, from his teammates, they're all talking him up as like, well, yeah, like CJ's the best quarterback in the league.

1:15:12And, and like, we expect C like CJ is that dude. He, he is as good as any quarterback in the league. And now obviously I don't put them there yet, But I do believe that they believe that. And that's a dangerous combination. A lot of continuity, a great defense, a really good quarterback, and some young players developing. They got a chance to win the AFC. All these teams do.

1:15:35Patrick Claybon:And I'm wondering, because I know the early start for the offensive line was miserable, but there was some Stroud involved there. And I think as both have improved and CJ has gotten more healthy, there were 11 Cardinals that got pressure today. CJ Stroud was having to make moves in the pocket. It wasn't necessarily easy up and down the field, every single opportunity for the Houston Texans. But I think he knows and trusts where they're going to be to the extent where he's able to make these plays that we're used to seeing CJ Stroud make at the start of his career. And that's why they're hitting the explosives.

1:16:08Patrick Claybon:He's making these plays on third down. And they're a fun team to watch. And in the end, only two quarterback hits and one sack for the Cardinals. So that's a great game for them. Derek Stingley did leave with an injury, but he was speaking to the media afterwards, which would indicate it's maybe not too serious. Kamari Lassiter with a big-time interception. Could they possibly get two all-pro corners? I don't think it's crazy.

1:16:30Jourdan Rodrigue:They played so well. One of my favorite moments of the game, too, was when Jalen Petrie took a massive hit of a smelling salt that he was holding with him on the field before a snap and then dropped it as the ball is snapped and then goes and makes a tackle. Like, this defense, it just knows what it's about. It has all year. It's my favorite defense to watch in the NFL. Like it's, it's just cool. And then on the other side, the only player that really gave this deck Texans defense, any trouble was Trey McBride, who was 12 for one 34 and two touchdowns. And it was basically like, there was a tunnel screen that he had where it took multiple Texans defenders to bring him to the ground.

1:17:08Jourdan Rodrigue:No other player on any part of this Cardinals offense was giving the Texans defense, even making more than one person come to tackle them. and I just thought, I have these thoughts sometimes. I'm sure you guys, do you ever watch a player and you think, man, I wish he was on a different team or like you watch a player who's really, really good and you think, man, I wish I could just pick him up and put him somewhere else. It was really strange because I felt when watching Trey McBride against the Texans, man, I wish Trey McBride played for the Texans because he was bringing the same energy against their defense that the defense was bringing against him and have all season against their opponents and he fits them and he's like this lone island there in Arizona.

1:17:48Jourdan Rodrigue:It's the only positive, the only bright spot. Yeah, they've lost six straight. They are now looking like a 3-11 type of team. They're sixth right now in terms of tank-a-thon. They could easily get into the top three or four picks here. I don't know if Jonathan Gannon deserves to be fired or not. That's for another day, but this absolutely looks like a team whose coach is going to get fired. Let's take a break. The Texans held serve. It was kind of a day where the two teams now atop the AFC South had to just take care of business. We'll come back on the other side and listen to Jaguars Jets.

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1:19:30Jourdan Rodrigue:a once-monthly treatment for moderate to severe eczema.

1:19:34Nick Shook:After an initial four-month or longer dosing phase, about four in ten people taking EBCLIS achieved itch relief and clear or almost clear skin at 16 weeks. And most of those people maintained skin that's still more clear at one year with monthly dosing. EBCLIS, LibriKizumab, LBKZ, a 250 milligram per two milliliter injection, is a prescription medicine used to treat adults and children 12 years of age and older who weigh at least 88 pounds or 40 kilograms with moderate to severe eczema. Also called atopic dermatitis that is not well controlled with prescription therapies used on the skin or topicals or who cannot use topical therapies.

1:20:03Nick Shook:EBCLIS can be used with or without topical corticosteroids. Don't use if you're allergic to EBCLIS. Allergic reactions can occur that can be severe. Eye problems can occur. Tell your doctor if you have new or worsening eye problems. You should not receive a live vaccine when treated with EBCLIS. Before starting EBCLIS, tell your doctor if you have a parasitic infection. Ask your doctor about EBCLIS and visit EBCLIS.lily.com or call 1-800-LILY-RX or 1-800-545-5979. This is Tab Ramos from Inside American Soccer. And this summer, Topgolf is turning into the ultimate soccer destination. They're not just throwing games on in the background.

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1:21:56Nick Shook:Zach, nice vacation spot, but without T-Mobile 5G home internet, I feel so cut off. It's scary. Relax. Just breathe in the woodsy woodsy-ness. Zach! Don't open it. It's a monster. I just know it. Buddy, it's just our DoorDash driver delivering our T-Mobile 5G home internet. Here you go, guys. Thanks. Look, Donald, now you can get the fastest 5G home internet with same-day delivery powered by DoorDash. And it's easy to set up. See, nothing to be afraid of. We're saved. It's scary how easy it is. Get T-Mobile 5G home internet delivered the same day. Powered by DoorDash. Just$35 a month with auto pay and a voice line.

1:22:41Nick Shook:Plus taxes and fees. Same day delivery for most internet eligible customers. See if it's an option during checkout. Fastest according to Ookla Speedtest based on Speedtest intelligence data. Second half 2025. All rights reserved. Shotgun formation, Bunch right, dropping is Trevor. They swing it out of the backfield. This is Travis Etienne with running room. 40, 35-yard line. Inside of her stays on the street. 30-yard line, 25. Along the near sideline. 10, 5, touchdown! Travis Etienne has scored again from 45 yards away. How good is that?

1:23:20It's great. It's amazing. it's maybe the third straight week. Someone could credibly say, is this the best game of Trevor Lawrence's career? It's a wild streak. Frank Frangie there on WJXL. The Jaguars put up 48 points on the Jets. Final score, 48 to 20. And you might say, what did Trevor Lawrence really do on that play? It's like a little dump-off pass to ETN. If Trevor Lawrence puts up six touchdowns in a single game, Patrick, we're playing that six touchdown. I don't care what it looks like.

1:23:53Patrick Claybon:Yeah, no, absolutely. If it were that easy to do what Trevor Lawrence done, it would have been done before in NFL history. The first player in NFL history with five or more passing touchdowns, a rush touchdown, and 50 yards rushing in a single game. Wow. Has never been done, but congratulations to Aaron Glitzchitz as they come in. And pour one out for all the QBs who did that, but without the 50 yards rushing.

1:24:14Jourdan Rodrigue:And also for all the QBs that are like, that guy did it.

1:24:18Patrick Claybon:He did it averaging 10 yards a carry as Trevor Lawrence got a long rushing touchdown where the Jets actually held on defense. I believe it was Britton Strange. I got held down the field on a third and 15 in the red zone. Trevor Lawrence runs it all the way back in for the score where Trev had a throw of the year nominee. In fact, we'll play it while you talk about it. It was to Parker Washington. That thing was beautiful. So Trevor Lawrence rolling drops even further back as pressure comes. And I'm thinking, well, don't, don't do it. He throws a Jordan love fade away. It's perfect to Parker Washington.

1:24:58Patrick Claybon:Then he Jordan shrugs to the sideline to show that Trevor Lawrence was in fact feeling it where the Jets and Brady cook. Hey, congratulations, Brady cook. He did have his first career touchdown. I got to say that that's got a chance.

1:25:09Jourdan Rodrigue:You think this while he's being hit too, he, he is. Yeah. It's Will Johnson. because the fact that you're rolling left and then you're taking the hit right, you're throwing it to a guy in stride who it's not like he's wide open. There are two defenders in the area. Yeah, you got to layer it. And then I think the key here is the shrug. That adds a little extra. I think that will help with the judges. It definitely beats out a similar one from a week ago. We're the judges. We are. Yeah, we are. I am the judge. Yeah, and the jury. And it's a third and long. That helps, too. I don't know why.

1:25:48Patrick Claybon:Yeah. One of the few chances the Jets had to get off the field. Trevor comes up with that. There's, you know, Brady Cooks, again, Edna Mitchell caught his first career touchdown pass. Great moment where his fiance and mom and dad are celebrating in the stands. Not a lot of great moments other than that, as the Jets' offense looked pretty rough here against a team that, again, no player has ran for over 100 yards. No players gotten close to 100 yards against Josh Hans Allen in this Jags defense and a dominant start to finish win for the folks. And it's the first game, I believe, where it's Jacoby Thomas, who again has a nice day, 66 yards and a touchdown.

1:26:29And Trevor Lawrence was completing very difficult throws throughout the game. And his rushing the last month is absolutely a coaching point and it absolutely shows up. But it's the first game with Jacoby and Thomas and Parker Washington and Breton Strange. And yeah, this team just looks better each and every week. And they did what, you know, real deal contenders do and squash the Jets.

1:26:52Jourdan Rodrigue:I have to know what Liam Cohen is saying or doing in the headset, because you'd see that Jordan Trug. He's doing that at Liam Cohen. Like he's facing the play caller and the sideline and the headset can click. It clicks back on at the results of the last after the results of the last play. so you can hear him if he's losing his mind in there, like excited. You can hear it if you're the quarterback. So I'm like, this is cool because they went from, you know, sometimes yelling at each other, similar to Bo Nix and Sean Payton. Like they would kind of get after it with each other. To now, they're like sort of like, you know, almost competing with each other but in a good way, in a functional way.

1:27:29Jourdan Rodrigue:It's pretty cool. To the point where, you know, the teammate who may know Trevor Lawrence the best talked about this recent streak after the game. Travis Etienne.

1:27:40Nick Shook:Back in 22, Trevor got hot in the second half of the year. Does this kind of feel similar to that in a little bit? I mean, obviously I know different plays, different games and stuff, but just him starting to get on a roll at the most important times, does it feel similar?

1:27:52Patrick Claybon:Nah, not at all. I don't think I've ever seen Trevor like this. You know, and I feel like we won a national championship together, and I feel like he's just out there. He's on fire, man. Like you've seen it. He rolled out again, and he just kind of stopped and just – Yeah, Parker's down there somewhere, you know. He launched it, and Parker made a great catch.

1:28:13Jourdan Rodrigue:That's so good. That's awesome. I'm glad Parker Washington's back. He's great. He really helps. And, yeah, ETN had three receiving touchdowns, 73 yards, in addition to doing it on the ground. I've been saying all year, Drake May's ascension is right there at the top of just the biggest stories in the NFL this year. Trevor's got a ways to go. Three weeks is not a season make. But if he can play great the rest of the way, and we'll see this team as a real deal contender. That's one of the biggest developments of this NFL season. Sounds like you're giving the Jaguars some of that much searched for respect that Liam Cohen was wondering.

1:28:49I mean, we did a whole show on them back in October. But look, they stay one game ahead of the Texans. They are very much in the mix. Let's go to the NFC, another team that is in the mix. and they got served a big fat bowl of chicken noodle soup. Just will fix whatever you need to get over your sickness. It's the Las Vegas Raiders. First and goal. Ball at the four.

1:29:17Nick Shook:Hertz in the gun. Barkley to his left. Hertz gives it off on a pitch. And running and dashing. And in for the touchdown is Goddard. Four-yard run with a little flip to Goddard. That looked pretty easy. 31-0 Eagles win. Merrill Reese, Mike Quick on WIP. I saw these awful announcing rankings of the local radio announcers. Let's just say they have J.B. Long and MJD and then Matt Money Smith and Dana Jeremiah criminally low. But there's a ranking of this duo, too, that I think Eric Roberts, our producer, would disagree with. And I'm on his side, too. 31-0 Eagles. Win. Easy. I don't know if my analogy really worked coming into the thing, but I was like the Eagles were sick and the Raiders will heal them.

1:30:10Jourdan Rodrigue:I think it was very creditable. Dallas Goddard had two touchdowns, both off of little wrinkle plays, a pitch touchdown in the first quarter and a sweep off a run fake in the third quarter. And he could have had another touchdown, and it didn't even matter that he dropped an easy would-be touchdown off a little Jalen Hurts quick pass because this was such a tail whooping the entire time. Jalen Hurts ran for 40 yards, including some key third and long conversions to set the Eagles offense up into scoring position. Hit a couple of really great throws. One to Devontae Smith. A deep shot on the perimeter really sticks out to me on that.

1:30:44Jourdan Rodrigue:And the Las Vegas Raiders were the Las Vegas Raiders. This one was a blowout that got Tanner McKee in this game at the start of the fourth quarter. And at that time that Tanner McKee entered the game, the Raiders themselves had just 66 net yards. Well, the great thing about them is that they only finished with 75. Usually when you're writing down these stats, you're like, oh, they're going to get some yards in garbage time and it's going to ruin it. I couldn't fathom a world where their performance against the Chiefs was not the worst performance by any offense this season, but we found it. 75 total yards by Kenny Pickett and the Raiders.

1:31:22The lowest yards per play, according to Josh Dubow of the Associated Press, in the storied history of the Raiders. I mean, there's some bad offenses over the years, and this was the absolute worst. And so I think it supports the idea that this Eagles defense could just be the best thing in the NFC playoffs. It's possible. And can the offense be good enough? Can they find enough things they like on offense? They obviously, you know, this wasn't the week to totally find out, but I think they'll still feel better about themselves.

1:31:53Patrick Claybon:Yeah, I think the doom and gloom questions about the viability of the Philadelphia Eagles. Maybe we're a bit too much, especially after a game where there were some fluky turnovers, two turnovers in one play by one quarterback in a situation that has never happened. You get those types of things to happen. You lose the game on a turnover where they could have very easily won that game. They could have won the game in regulation and in overtime, but it went the Chargers way. And like you said, Greg, this is more than a warm bowl of chicken noodle soup. This is like a sensu bean. This is a healing touch from Mr.

1:32:30Patrick Claybon:Miyagi. The Raiders will give you everything you need and more in a game where Ashton Jinty only runs for 35 yards, but it's still the majority of the offense that one player had for the Raiders.

1:32:42Jourdan Rodrigue:They allow you to work on stuff, which I saw the Eagles doing today. That's a kind way of saying that about the Raiders, I guess, is you can do stuff that you don't normally do and still win the way that they did and totally shut them out. the Eagles ran more play action. It's a small sample size because Jalen Hurts only threw the ball 15 times. He was remarkably efficient with those throws. Usually they're only about a 12, or excuse me, a 25 % play action rate team. But today, 40 % of his dropbacks were off play action for 70 yards and a touchdown. So really clean and efficient when using play action.

1:33:15Jourdan Rodrigue:The Eagles version of play action makes me laugh because it's really slow developing. And it's clear that not every you know it's it's just not something you see some teams and they do the ball fake like very fast and they get into their drop and they're only flipping their back for a second this takes its time to develop and again it did not matter and so you can just do you can you can create and set up those those explosive plays and and i liked seeing it i liked seeing them work on things in that regard because they're going to need to be more have more dimension to their offense and they're going to need to be more layered yeah and you know their their success rate was fine, but considering it was against the Raiders, like the running game does rack up 183 yards, but still Saquon and Tank Bigsby like go for under three and a half yards per carry, even against the Raiders.

1:34:00So that's not necessarily totally fixed, but I did like Jalen Hurts, as you mentioned, just ripping a third and long design run. Do not see that out of the Eagles too much. So that might be an end of the season type of thing. Okay, let's use his legs and then even getting AJ Brown involved after it looked like Hurts was banged up a little. He comes back from the injury and finishes the game with a long touchdown to A.J. Brown. Great win for the Eagles. Every win is huge for them. They step a little closer to winning the NFC East. Let's talk about a team that's quietly still in the mix for their division title.

1:34:33It's the San Francisco 49ers.

1:34:36Nick Shook:Out of the shotgun, he takes the snap on third and goal. Purdy, under pressure, jump, throw! Kittle's got it! Touchdown! Touchdown! 49ers! What a play! From midair, Purdy off both feet, suspended in the air as he throws it to Kittle in the back of the end zone. And George is having a big day, and he connects with the score. Not since Tim Tebow have I seen a jumping pass like that. Brock Purdy. That was the most Brock Purdy pass of all time. Three touchdowns, 295 yards. Back in my day, Tim Tebow and the Fighting Gators.

1:35:18Jourdan Rodrigue:Any chance he gets? Let's talk about Tebow. No, I mean. No, no, the Purdy. You throw a jump pass. Oh, no, you throw a jump pass like that. That's the name that gets mentioned, although that was more athletic and kind of incredible because him and Kittle had to be on the exact same page there. He wasn't that open. Kittle finishes with 88 yards and a touchdown. Purdy continues his excellent play that he started against the Browns, and the 49ers survive a game, Titans' second-half effort. They win 37-24. Really, what we've been talking about is the 49ers' playbook right now, which is you're just going to have to be awesome on offense each week, and that's their path.

1:35:55They've won 10 games this season. And, like, they are still in the mix in the NFC West. I won't rule them out totally.

1:36:02Patrick Claybon:No, and you saw a continuation of the things that has kind of carried them this season, not kind of. Christian McCaffrey in the receiving game has literally carried this 49ers offense. But you get back and you get because Kittle missed significant time this season. He had a big game. Ricky Pearsall missed significant time this season. Even in this game, he went out for a minute. And so like to see them back and kind of fully formed to the extent like, no, it's not. We're not thinking peak Niners where it's like this world beater dominant, like going to out talent you on both sides of the ball.

1:36:32Patrick Claybon:A lot of those guys are still there, but they're they're in different stages. they're succeeding to different levels and against the team like the Tennessee Titans they you know can come out there and kind of groove their way to a win where yeah it was a jump pass it was a cool highlight I don't necessarily know it's necessary he's fading away Brock's feeling it you know he's a little pressure in his face yeah I mean most jump passes aren't really necessary probably but uh it was cool one of the more superfluous uh jump passes in league history I would say that touchdown to George and it would have looked bad like if if it didn't uh get completed because yeah the titans were doing some things in the second half of this game so there was a two-play sequence and if jeffrey simmons does not make the all pro team this year and i'd have to go through i don't want to be unfair because there's other defensive tackles to look at a two-play sequence where he forces a fumble on brock purdy it's 31 to 10 to start the fourth quarter you figure this game is absolutely over but he forces a turnover uh they cash in with a touchdown pretty quickly.

1:37:35And you know who that touchdown was to? Who was it? Greg?

1:37:38Jourdan Rodrigue:Jeffrey Simmons. So great. It's the coolest part of this coolest moment of this game with Jeffrey Simmons catching a touchdown and not just a touchdown where the defensive

1:37:50Patrick Claybon:player comes in. They scheme him up. Like who's going to cover the defensive guy. It's a defensive tackle kind of running a little bit of a, a, where he looks like he's going to be a lead blocker. And then he goes into the flat. He does that. but then he's not open. Look at him. And so Cam Ward has to roll to his right and Jeffrey Simmons is adjusting while the play is going on.

1:38:11Jourdan Rodrigue:He works with the quarterback in a scramble drill.

1:38:13Patrick Claybon:But when are the Titans running a scramble drill at practice? This is just a dude figuring it out. The dude who loves ball, who's out there like, oh man, I'm not open for this play. Let me make a play for Cam Ward. Like, look at him. Well, the crazy thing is he knows Cam Ward so well that most receivers, lesser receivers, would run towards the quarterback. When he sees Cam Ward rolling left, he says, there's some open space over here. My guy is so great thrown across his body that there's about 17 throw of the year nominees of that exact throw, and that's exactly what Cam Ward does.

1:38:44Jourdan Rodrigue:I see you, an unnecessary flourish jump pass by Brock Purdy, and I raise you, an unnecessary but awesome flourish of a jump catch by Jeffrey Simmons, who bounced about three inches off the ground to make that catch that was coming into his chest anyway. And so he had it, you know, he had it locked and secured and there, you know, all of that. But he still, you know, just a little emphasis, you know, just a little emphasis. I loved it. It was the most fun part of this game on the side of the 49ers. They some of this obviously is Cam Ward being able to scramble around. But the thing that will we talk about these contending teams and these teams that are going to make a real playoff push, especially in that tight, like really crowded NFC West and the 49ers cannot get pressure.

1:39:30Jourdan Rodrigue:and regardless of whether the quarterback can scramble or not they cannot get pressure and on the other side I think it's very cool kind of what seems to be forming here which is George Kittle is now back to doing kind of his yards after the catch thing but they also are using perimeter receivers and they're taking some of that it's almost like they're blending the two eras or iterations of these modern 49ers defenses and trying to see what kind of becomes of it as they enter this most crucial stretch run of their season. Yeah, like Kendrick Bourne goes over 500 yards to get a$500 ,000 bonus. I always like those performance bonus notes.

1:40:06So he's a little part of the offense, but yeah, you have a chunk play to Demarcus Robinson. You have a touchdown and a chunk play to Juwan Jennings. That was a great play. And then chunk plays to Pearsall, who's been very quiet since he came off his injury, and Kittle. So it's all coming together. And I keep saying that about the division because Seahawks-Rams, they're going to play each other. One of those teams is going to lose. and quietly the 49ers have every tiebreaker possible. They're going to have to beat the Seahawks the second time around, but they're eight, which is going to be very difficult, but they are eight and two in the NFC.

1:40:34They're four and one in the division, and so they are dangerous.

1:40:37Jourdan Rodrigue:Mac Jones. Mac Jones won one of those tiebreakers. Shout out to Mac Jones and Davis Mills for helping their teams. Backups of the year. We should make that an award. Jameis Winston would maybe be a nominee. He did play on Sunday for a little bit. Let's go to MetLife. McNichols is the back. They go RPO. He's got time.

1:40:58Nick Shook:Pass right down the middle field. Wide open Terry McClellan at the 20. Tries to get through a tackle. He does. Spits back. Touchdown. Touchdown, Washington. A 51-yard strike to Terry.

1:41:08Patrick Claybon:And you say, why do you want Terry McClellan on the football field? It's because it plays like that. Marcus Mariota gets one-on-one coverage on the outside, and he throws an absolute dart to Terry McClellan, and he does the rep. Pillar ready into the end zone. Haven't heard enough from Bram Weinstein and London Fletcher this year. Two of the best in the business on WBIG. Yes, Scary Terry, also one of the best in the business. Making it a tough day in the film room there for Dane Belton because he got turned around, and then Paulson Adibo came in there. It was like the Keystone Cops falling off him trying to make that tackle.

1:41:5029-21, the Commanders get their fourth victory. of the season and the Giants stay in first place in terms of tank-a-thon. They are slated right now for the number one overall pick.

1:42:01Patrick Claybon:Well, yeah, to have the safety with a whole lot of green grass between him and Terry McLaurin going one-on-one. I know, but when you do a whole 360, it just doesn't look like that. Yeah, but it's, you know, considering the decision-making from the Giants coming into this game with Mike Kafka and Brian Cox having their disagreements where a whole lot of folks in East Rutherford are rushing to tell people It was strictly related to the seats on the plane. Yeah. I started to wonder because the defense has been a problem. It was a problem once again today where you get the other team's best receiver matched up on a safety three-way go.

1:42:35Patrick Claybon:There was so much grass there for Terry McLaurin to operate in where Marcus Mariota didn't even necessarily have that great of a game. And Jackson Dart, once again, is getting evaluated for a concussion. in, you know, it's crazy. Our friend James Palmer pointed out today, half of the games that he started, he's been evaluated for a concussion. I will not accept your Mariota slander over 10 yards per attempt today. Just only needed to throw 19 throws, but he gets his 211, and they ran the ball better than they have all, in a while at least, the commanders, Bill Merritt, back in the mix. But yeah, the dart takeaway was the biggest one for me in this game because it was full dart.

1:43:15And you don't want to go full dart. Never like there were some great throws in this game. I went and checked PFF had him as three big time throws. And that that's a huge number. Big time foes. I mean, just monster touchdown to Tyrone Tracy. For instance, there was a great one to Wanda. You love, you love to see it. There were at least three, I think turnover worthy plays. They only had them for two, but a ding for PFF. Yeah. They, He had one where he nearly threw an interception on fourth down, but it was dropped. He fumbled the ball on a rushing attempt that he probably shouldn't have. And then he had a brutal interception, which had the combo where you almost should give him two turnover-worthy plays, where it was a really bad decision and a bad throw.

1:44:00And that got picked off. And yet all of that together wasn't even the thing that bothered me the most. It was the fact that he's running near the goal line and putting his head down. And they're blaming the coaches. That was a busted play. It was supposed to be a pass. And he just decided to run. There was a design run, though, earlier on an inside give on the goal line where he took a pretty big hit, too. So it's just kind of the same story. And then again, he did have a bunch of good runs in this game. He ran for 63 yards.

1:44:27Jourdan Rodrigue:In the tale of the New York Giants 2025 season, it is possible to blame everybody. Yes, I think that's a good call. Including the whole defense, except today for Abdul Karna. I was watching him closely. three quick pressure sack forced fumble like he's at least getting into the box so i like that yeah and and good because playing playing that way after some of the you know miscommunication meetings or missed time or the benchings and all of these things he knows people are watching him good i mean the crazy thing is dart comes out for the concussion check misses two plays jamis comes in they're on the goal line jamis can't hit the touchdown and then they bring dart back in for the fourth down.

1:45:10And that was the play I was talking about that should have been intercepted and was dropped and ended up just being an incompletion.

1:45:16Jourdan Rodrigue:Just let it end. Yeah. Yeah. Giants see if anybody could send to the finish as bad as we talked

1:45:23Patrick Claybon:about as things were for the Arizona Cardinals right now. It's been like this for the better part of months. It's really both these teams. But the commanders have been better this year and they deserved that that fourth win. They're four and ten Giants at two and nine. we're going to say goodbye to you guys. And I'm going to thank you for a clutch job. You guys have the clutch jeans stretch. Like this was a show that required the best of us, like a big day in the NFL with these injuries and everything changing. And I know you could feel it before the show and you delivered. We're going to turn it right back around and thank Greg Rosenthal for allowing us to be a part of this franchise.

1:45:59I don't know why we're having thanks when we have three big games to go to on the other side. Let's hit bears and Browns. Shucky coming back before Sunday night football. Shucky! Give me your flowers, Greg.

1:46:18Nick Shook:For adults with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis symptoms, every choice matters. Tremphaya offers self-injection or intravenous infusion from the start. Tremphaya is administered as injections under the skin or infusions through a vein every four weeks. followed by injections under the skin every four or eight weeks. If your doctor decides that you can self-inject Tremphaya, proper training is required. Tremphaya is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with moderately to severely active Crohn's disease and adults with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis. Serious allergic reactions, increased risk of infections or lower ability to fight them, and liver problems may occur.

1:46:59Nick Shook:Before treatment, get checked for infections and tuberculosis. Tell your doctor if you have an infection, flu-like symptoms, or need a vaccine. Explore what's possible. Ask your doctor about Tremphia today. Call 1-800-526-7736 to learn more or visit TremphiaRadio.com. Eczema is unpredictable, but you can flare less with EpGliss, a once-monthly treatment for moderate to severe eczema. After an initial four-month or longer dosing phase, About 4 in 10 people taking EBCLIS achieved itch relief and clear or almost clear skin at 16 weeks. And most of those people maintain skin that's still more clear at one year with monthly dosing.

1:47:38Nick Shook:EBCLIS, LibriKizumab, LBKZ, a 250 milligram per two milliliter injection, is a prescription medicine used to treat adults and children 12 years of age and older who weigh at least 88 pounds or 40 kilograms with moderate to severe eczema. Also called atopic dermatitis that is not well controlled with prescription therapies used on the skin or topicals or who cannot use topical therapies. EBCLIS can be used with or without topical corticosteroids. Don't use if you're allergic to EpGliss. Allergic reactions can occur that can be severe. Eye problems can occur. Tell your doctor if you have new or worsening eye problems.

1:48:06Nick Shook:You should not receive a live vaccine when treated with EpGliss. Before starting EpGliss, tell your doctor if you have a parasitic infection. Ask your doctor about EpGliss and visit epgliss.lily.com or call 1-800-LILY-RX or 1-800-545-5979. This is Tab Ramos from Inside American Soccer. And this summer, Topgolf is turning into the ultimate soccer destination. They're not just throwing games on in the background. Topgolf is going all in on soccer. They've got a new soccer-themed game you can play with your group, special in-venue activations, exclusive food and drink items inspired by the global game, and at more than 60 locations, they've even installed full-size soccer goals so you can try to hit golf balls right into the net.

1:48:49Nick Shook:And every match all summer long will be on throughout the venue. So it's a great place to watch with friends, hang out, compete a little bit, and enjoy the atmosphere. And if you want to keep the fun going all summer, you can get the Topgolf Summer Fun Pass, which lets you play every single day and bring up to five guests every visit. Get yours now at topgolf.com slash fun pass. Summer hits different at Topgolf. Hey, it's Ryan Seacrest for Jewel Osco. For you, save days are here now through June 23rd. Find hot deals throughout the store and earn four times a point. Look for in-store tags to earn on eligible items from Triscuit, Quaker, Reese's, and Dots pretzels.

1:49:30Nick Shook:Then clip the offer in the app for automatic event-long savings. Stack up those rewards to save even more. Enjoy savings on top of savings when you shop in-store or online for easy pickup or delivery. Restrictions apply. See the website for full terms and conditions. Hey, Donald. Really flying on that treadmill. I'm trying to run as fast as T-Mobile 5G home internet, Zach. Well, you better pick it up because now T-Mobile has the fastest 5G home internet. according to Ookla speed test. Really? How's this? T-Mobile's faster than that, bud, and it's still just 35 bucks a month. Speed up! No! Plus, they've got a five-year price guarantee.

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1:50:42Nick Shook:Find exclusions and details at T-Mobile.com. Snap. Play fake. Rolling. He was right. Caleb running out of time. Gonna gun it into the end zone. Back of the end zone. Steve J. Moore. Touchdown Bears. You thought that play was a throwaway. And Caleb Williams launched it to D.J. Moore in the end zone. 20-3 Bears. His 14th completion. Second touchdown of the day from Moore. Right deep corner of the end zone. Crossing from left to right. When you first watched that play on the broadcast copy, Chuck, felt great, but it felt a little lucky. The more I've watched that throw, that's Jeff Joniak and Tom Thayer, by the way, on WNBP.

1:51:27Bears win 31-3 against your Browns. Big time effort. The more I watched that throw, that's a throw of the year nominee. That is an outrageous feat of athleticism by Caleb Williams on one of his best days as a pro.

1:51:40Nick Shook:My first reaction was, oh no, oh no, oh no. You're throwing it into traffic. Oh my God, he came down with that? What? Oh my God. That's like a Cam Ward play. We've seen Cam Ward do that like three times this year. You're right. But the miles per hour on that, I don't know. It's even better. Like, yes, of course, you need a little bit of luck to get that ball through. But I don't I literally don't know if there's a single quarterback in the NFL that could put that much velocity on that throw from where he was throwing. That was unreal. That's part of the shot, too, is you can see his eyes scanning the back of the end zone, finding DJ more and then just being like throwing it, putting it there and put it right on him.

1:52:17just an awesome game. And I, I think an interesting step forward for the bears who just keep checking boxes, 31 to three, they entered today with a negative scoring differential on the day. So I, I do think they've gotten better and better, even though, you know, they've been winning all season, they've gotten better. And this was a great example that their offense could perform against a great defense and that they could just win in a total blowout. Yeah.

1:52:41Nick Shook:A blowout that they earned. Like there was, there was nothing cheap about this. you know their first touchdown drive was six plays 42 yards three minutes and 43 seconds and it's a quick DeAndre Swift touchdown and then they go back and score with DJ Moore and it's 14 nothing and at that point the game was basically over and they were not like dominating but they were winning just flat out winning against that Browns defense now you could say like oh was the weather part of it because it was frigid and everybody looked like they were pretty miserable it didn't matter to me the Bears had more fight in them they look like a team that is ascending that is fired up about making the playoffs is fired up about playing football on Sundays and they dominated on both sides of the ball probably the worst performance from the Browns defense which just felt like they were chasing Caleb Williams and chasing you know those who caught passes from Caleb Williams throughout the day which by the way the rollout the play action rollout was magnificent for the Bears all day but it felt like the Browns defense was just out of sorts and it's probably their worst showing of the year since maybe that early season lost to Baltimore uh and it's all the credit in the world due to the Bears I've been a huge fan of watching Caleb Williams play football over the last six weeks.

1:53:42Nick Shook:And I just think he continues to stack good games. And this is another good one. Well, I know the weather was absolutely brutal. The wind chills down in the single digits are negative. We should have mentioned that with the Bears-Bengal. I mean, the Ravens-Bengals game too. Yeah, that's absolutely something to consider in context. But they put up 361 yards. I know they slowed down in the second half, but their success rate for the day throwing and running was like 50%, which is outstanding. Meanwhile, the Browns absolutely can't do anything on offense. Like I don't think they barely had a successful run the entire day.

1:54:14Shadur Sanders struggle. So it's a great game plan game by the bears defense too. So you can't blame the weather when one offense looks like the weather's fine and the other is terrible. What did you see out of the Browns offense and the bears defense?

1:54:27Nick Shook:Yeah. I mean, well, I'm back to that point real quick. I mean, Caleb threw for two 40 in freezing cold weather. Like that's an accomplishment, but from the Browns offense, a lot of the same, uh, you know, Shadur had a few nice throws. he actually got robbed of what could have been a touchdown pass he put one absolutely on the numbers on jerry judy down the sideline that should have been a touchdown hits judy in the chest falls through his arms and right into the hands of jalen johnson for an interception one of three shador sanders interceptions the other two were his fault good defensive plays made by cj dj and uh the linebacker um demarco jackson and look that's what you're going to get from a rookie quarterback he still holds on to the football too long i feel like i'm a broken record at this point his pressure rate is sky high because he holds on the ball too long and the browns offense i mean he hit a couple really nice balls to isaiah bond he also missed a couple of open targets for isaiah bond downfield it's just it's not a good offense they didn't run the ball well at all um they didn't really stand much of a chance they just looked like a team that was outclassed on in all three phases of the game which has been pretty much the story for them all year today might have been the first time where i was like yeah i don't think kevin's defense he's gonna survive like oh man.

1:55:30Nick Shook:I was there a month ago. I was there a month ago. I just, I just, he's a good coach, I think, but I just don't think he's going to survive. The rope has run out. They're just, it's run out. There's no more tape left. They're out. And I think it's good for DJ Moore to score a couple of touchdowns ends up four for 69 for him to make big plays. And Luther burden continues to break out. I know he left with an injury. It doesn't sound like it was too serious, but he leads the team with six catches in 84 yards. So the rookies are really playing well for the bears. They get a big time win, which puts them back in first place in the NFC North.

1:56:05Nick Shook:also we got one more thing. I don't want to interrupt you real quick, but we got one more thing. Miles Garrett sack tracker. Yes. 21 and a half now had one and a half today. He's one away from tying the record. What a bad job. That's like literally the only note I wrote down. And then I, I don't look down at my notes. That's all I care about with these Browns games. he's eight and a half sacks now ahead of second place i mean that's a lot of sacks like not that many players have eight and a half sacks he got robbed with a half sack today it should he should be at 22 right now ban the half sack go back fix the record book for however it's got to be half sacks are a travesty it's a stupid set and i totally agree he should have had two sacks today, but he is only one away from tying that record.

1:56:50That man is one of the all-time greats. You know who else is an all-time great? Trying to think of someone in this Saints game. How about Cam Jordan? Our podcast mate here at the NFL. Let's go to New Orleans.

1:57:05Nick Shook:47 yards with six seconds left towards the Smoothie King.

1:57:09Patrick Claybon:Charlie Smith would have been a better pick actually. Kai Kroger waits, looks, hold is down, kick is away, flag is down, kick is good.

1:57:20Nick Shook:What's the flag? Offsides. offsides and Charlie Smith has put the Saints on top 20 to 17. There's still two seconds to play in the game. This typical NFC South annoying finish. We didn't need the penalty to kind of ruin the call. We didn't need two seconds left. Kellen Moore to kind of ruin the call because it wasn't exactly a game winner. That was Mike Haas and Deuce McAllister. The New Orleans Saints have swept the Carolina Panthers, shook, they beat them 20-17. I propose that that is grounds for elimination from the playoff race. That's not fair, because the other team in the playoff race with them just lost to the Saints last week.

1:58:05I know. It doesn't really make... They've got a winning streak. It doesn't make sense. It's not really fair whatsoever. The Panthers have actually beaten some great teams this year, but they can't beat the Saints. How did the Saints get this done?

1:58:18Nick Shook:well if you watched last week's game against the Buccaneers you know that Tyler Shuck channeled his inner clutch gene in the fourth quarter and I'll tell you what he did it again on Sunday in the Superdome this time he wasn't on the road he was at home he had an opportunity after it seemed like they'd wasted their best one fourth and one he gets what's listed as a sack but he tries to scramble and comes up just inches short of the line to gain turnover on downs they get a stop they get the ball back they have basically like 80 yards to go and he's just slicing and dicing just throwing it down the field panthers are playing soft coverage he's taking what the defense is giving him you can't go broke when you're taking a profit and he's taking profits all the way down the field and then he ends up getting a one-on-one situation chris olave versus jc horn he fires a bullet jc horn tries to undercut it he misses out doesn't intercept it or break up the pass olave scores celebrates tie ball game that's when you realize oh shucks got the clutch gene It's just ice in his veins every week, but he wasn't done.

1:59:14Nick Shook:They got another stop and they got the ball back with less than a minute. And he leads them down the field with a couple of quick connections to none other than Audrey Gastamay who catches and runs down the field. He hits a lava one more time. And then with the clock running, they spike it and you think, okay, they're just on the edge of field goal range. We'll see if Charlie Smith can do it. We know he's got a leg, but we'll see if he can do it. No. Callum Moore dials up a QB keeper, a good old quarterback draw. He runs forward. The Panthers get caught by surprise. They go after Shuck as he slides.

1:59:40Nick Shook:Personal foul, 15 more yards, and now we're well within field goal range, and the rest is history, and the Saints have won two games in a row in 2025. Great play call there by Kellen Moore. I think this was easily their best win of the season in terms of they showed great fight, and some of the play calling was really inventive, and I love them calling that QB sneak there when the Panthers are just giving it to you, And I think a bad job by there by a Giro Evero for the Panthers defensive coordinator and a good job by Shuck selling it a little bit to on the hit. But there was multiple flags. They were calling that regardless.

2:00:17And he's done it enough, Nick, that it's absolutely a pattern. He is playing his best late in these games and he's really good in the hurry up situation. I bring it back to the preseason game I went to. The one time he looked great was in the hurry up, and he has absolutely brought that forward. For them to get off eight plays in under a minute, I mean, they got the ball back with less than a minute. They get eight plays off, and before that, they get seven plays off in a pretty quick drive to get that tying touchdown. He's been great and just a killer loss for a Panthers team that's trying to win the division.

2:00:57Nick Shook:Yeah, a blowing opportunity for the Panthers. I mean, the Buccaneers lose, and you think, all right this is our opportunity to get a game lead in this very tight battle we are going to ascend while they descend and fall apart and todd bowls with a expletive laced rant after their loss right this is when we seize the moment now this is when we let the saints back into the game and lose a tough one in the superdome that we're definitely going to wish we had back by the time this regular season ends it's rough because i thought for two weeks in a row i was going to get a game in which we had a total of eight possessions for each team you know one of those weird games because the panthers are going on these methodical very long scoring drives and Bryce Young makes a beautiful pass to Jalen Coker down the sideline for a touchdown.

2:01:35Nick Shook:And I'm thinking, here we go. They're going to do just enough to win. But I forgot about the fact that Tyler Shuck was standing on the other sideline there to ruin the Panthers. He's becoming a suck head. I love it. You got to get a better nickname than that. He's going to be the same starting quarterback next year. I'm telling you, what did I say this week? He's got the goods. He just needs reps. I don't know if he has the goods or not. They're down to seventh in Tankathon, tied with a couple teams. But right now they're at seventh. Now that they're four and 10, I just think he's played well enough that they're going to want to see more.

2:02:06And I certainly expect Kellen Moore to be back and everything. And I think they're going to push it forward. And I think that makes sense. At this point, the way that he's played, he keeps playing better each and every week. And yeah, it was a game with very few possessions. And the Panthers get the ball three times in the fourth quarter. They don't score. And the Saints play their best then. And I misspoke on our Thursday night pod. I had it wrong, kind of thinking about, well, if the Panthers and the Bucs split now, the Bucs could lose the division. And it wasn't could. It was they would have.

2:02:42And if the Panthers had just won this game, Shook, they could have won the division next week just by beating the Bucs the first time because all they needed was a split. And so that's really what changes in terms of the stakes. Now the Bucks are right back pretty much on even ground, although the Panthers, I believe, have the tiebreaker right now. And it just gives life. And it's kind of like we talked about with the Bears. They pass a certain test, like blowing out a team you're supposed to. Well, the Panthers not only didn't blow out the Saints, they got swept by the Saints.

2:03:12Nick Shook:I also think that this part of the season is such an interesting examination of the psychology of different NFL teams, because like I compare that to the game we just talked about, like the Browns look like they're ready for vacation, right? the Saints are playing their tails off for Kellen Moore. They're playing with full effort as if they're in the playoff race. The Panthers are somewhere in between where they don't really know how to handle the fact that they're in a playoff race and get a job done and take care of business in a game like this. And the Buccaneers can't figure anything out. You can be in so many different places in December in the NFL, and oftentimes where you are, your record doesn't reflect that, which is why it's so fascinating.

2:03:45Yeah, so they're at 7-7, and I think a big concern for the Panthers is the run game success has really fallen off the map over the last five or six weeks. So they just have slimmer margin for error. We'll see between them and the Bucs who is the better flawed team. Speaking of flawed teams, let's get to Sunday night. The Vikings and the Cowboys may have some warts, but they're fun to watch. Puts Hawkins into motion, first and goal. JJ looking right, throwing right, caught. Touchdown! Jalen Naylor with a two touchdown game. And the Minnesota Vikings have taken a 30 to 23 lead. Oh, it's great to hear a happy Paul Allen on Vikings radio.

2:04:31The second touchdown for Lucky Naylor on the night. We're calling him lucky from now on. I don't know when that happened. I missed it. The first one was a dot from J.J. McCarthy. Vikings win 34 to 26. The Cowboys are all but eliminated from playoff contention. The Vikings were officially eliminated earlier on Sunday while the other NFC teams won. But, Chuck, the season goes on long enough for J.J. McCarthy to suddenly be a hero the last two weeks. And it's gone long enough for the Cowboys defense to be the worst. And then everyone says, Jerry saved the season. And now we're right back to being one of the worst again.

2:05:12The season is rather long, but we're getting to the end.

2:05:15Nick Shook:And the marathon continues long enough for your over under choice with the Cowboys to be in peril as we have three more games left in the schedule. Now, if you don't think that that's all I was thinking about, could they win two out of these last three during this game? And should I should I actually send out a tweet about like, oh, it's been a journey if you've been tracking this over under. But I don't want it to make it all about me. Let's make it about the Cowboys. It's the most Cowboys way to tank the season. You beat the two Super Bowl teams from a year ago, who I know are not at their best.

2:05:47And then you followed that up with these back-to-back losses, including giving up 34 points to this Vikings team.

2:05:54Nick Shook:Yep, yep. The Cowboys defense is back to being terrible. It's back to not being able to stop the run on crucial downs. It's back to getting bullied in the interior and the trenches on a night when they didn't even give up a ton of rushing yards, but just in key spots, couldn't get stops in third and short and fourth and short. and ultimately, yeah, you give up a gross total to J.J. McCarthy-led offense that a couple of weeks ago, two, three weeks ago, was basically dead on arrival as soon as they took the field and then they put up a bunch of points against a lowly opponent last week and now suddenly they can apparently throw the ball all over the yard because J.J.'s worst pass was one of his first of the night that resulted in a bad interception and the rest of the night was pretty good for him.

2:06:30That was literally his first pass, I believe, and you're thinking, okay, it's going to be a long night, but no, they moved the ball well and I think last week they managed him well, and he played well within the scheme. And that was true tonight to some degree. But he had some great throws. He had a seam ball to Hawkinson that he absolutely ripped. He had that bomb to Addison. The first touchdown that I mentioned to Naylor was money. He looked great tonight. And I know that the Cowboys offense has made a lot of quarterbacks look great. And so maybe they had the right answers to the test. But he got to show off his athleticism.

2:07:09He's doing the gritty like before he gets in the end zone on a rushing touchdown. This final month could be really big for J.J. McCarthy and the Vikings to just feel better about themselves. They're looking more like the Vikings team we expected.

2:07:20Nick Shook:Yeah. And Vikings fans are going to lament the fact that he came too late, but it's all encouraging signs of progress going into next season, which is all you can look toward now that you're eliminated from playoff contention. You know, on that, on that, as he's gritting across the goal line, I'm watching the way he's holding the football and I'm thinking, oh God, don't drop it. Don't, don't drop the ball doing the gritty. Please don't drop the ball. But we have one more throw that we need to bring up that I thought was his best throw of the night of any, which was the fourth and three play where he hits Naylor on a 23 yard or down the right side where he throws a back shoulder to him.

2:07:48Nick Shook:And this is like, I think a play or two after he sailed a pass to an open Justin Jefferson and he comes right back and puts it perfectly on Naylor where the defender, I think it was Revell in coverage again, could not make a play on it. And he did that while on the run. Like it was, it was an excellent toss. It shows you the glimpses of, yeah, he might not have the strongest arm in the world because if he had left you know a little bit more out there i believe his addison would have been able to catch and run it for into the end zone for a touchdown instead of giving that touchdown to cj ham which shout out for a fullback touchdown we love those uh but he still has this accuracy that comes and goes and i think will be fixed over time with more work with kevin o 'connell you know he's talked a lot about marrying the eyes and the feet and you're seeing small steps of progress but you know give him a year or two if they give him that long of a leash maybe he gets a lot better in that department and becomes a more complete quarterback because i'll tell you what we've always known this about him.

2:08:34Nick Shook:He's a gamer and he's a tough player and he definitely showed that off tonight. Yeah. And they've gone to 11 personnel. So, you know, three wide receivers on the field at all times and changing the offense a little bit and it's worked. So you could either look at that as a positive or wonder, maybe they should have done that before, but that's neither here nor there. It's just funny to me that the Cowboys had so many things go right this year. Dak playing great. The rise of pickings, you know, the trade for Quinton Williams looks great for a while. and then here they are with the defense looking worse than ever.

2:09:06We learned that Trevon Diggs was not activated for this game and it sounds like he might be done with the Cowboys for good. Ravel comes back from that injury. He's struggled, which he's coming off a serious injury. I'm going to give some grace to a rookie. And we're questioning George Pickens' effort, who had another mediocre game. And even Dak Prescott said, I could tell he didn't have it pretty early last week and that was a game to go to CeeDee Landmore. So it's just more of the same and it's disappointing. They have not officially been eliminated, but if the Eagles beat the commanders on Saturday next week, that's one of those Saturday games, then the Cowboys will be officially eliminated.

2:09:46So they're done. And I was looking at that Christmas slate. I feel bad for Netflix here. You know, as bad as you can feel for like a billionaire corporation, whatever you want to call Netflix. And those games do not look great. Four out of the six teams have already been eliminated. Commanders and Cowboys are out. And now the Vikings, of course, are out. And the Chiefs, who would have thought the Chiefs in big spot would kind of be a dead team walking. But just to recap the day before we say goodbye. The Chiefs eliminated. The Vikings eliminated. The Bengals have been officially eliminated. and yes, as Jordan mentioned, the Saints, I mean the Rams rather, have clinched the playoff spot.

2:10:32They're the only team in the NFC to do so and the Broncos, should have given them their flowers, are the first to do so in the AFC and this raises the final big picture thought I'll have for you, Shook. I'm all about these playoff races and there's a lot of really good games and seedings and we still got to figure out who's going to win the AFC North between the Steelers and the Ravens. They got a big matchup. We got to figure out who's going to win the NFC South. We got to figure out who's going to win the NFC West. And of those first two divisions, only one team is going to make the playoffs.

2:11:04There's actually not a lot to decide in these wildcard races down the stretch. I feel like, you know, if the Lions have two games to make up on the 49ers, or else we know who's making it in the NFC. And the 49ers have a tough closing slate there where they could lose two games. They finish with the Bears and the Seahawks. The Lions do have hope. And in the AFC, unless Phillip Rivers leads the Colts on kind of a miracle run, we kind of know who all the teams are going to be in the AFC as well, just figuring out who's going to win the AFC North. A little disappointing.

2:11:38Nick Shook:Yeah, the puzzle pieces can still move around with some of these division battles still being up for grabs. Houston making an interesting the South with Indianapolis and also with Jacksonville. But ultimately, yeah, for the most part, we know it's a bad time for the in the hunt graphic because you're losing left and right. And so I think to close all of that, I'll just say in honor of our dear friend, Chris Westling, to all the teams that you just listed, he gone. They're all gone. And I'm glad you raised that point because the division races are great and we have a lot of matchups that are going to be playoff preview type games and really decide seating, including that Rams Seahawks game on Thursday night where the Rams can be thinking either we're going to be home and indoors and have a bye or we're potentially on the road and playing outdoors for three weeks.

2:12:25So it's a lot of those types of games. Broncos, Chargers, Patriots, and Bills. We still don't know who's going to win that division. Texans and Jaguars, who's going to win there? But yeah, the wildcard races, not done. But they're kind of decided. And you know what could be even further decided? Dolphins playing to stay alive on Monday Night Football. Obviously a massive game for the Pittsburgh Steelers. You and I, Shook, will be recapping the game live on YouTube. Steelers and Dolphins. Appreciate you, my friend. I appreciate you, and I'd really appreciate it if somehow

2:12:57Nick Shook:a football could get stuck in the mud at Acreshire Stadium and just repeat that great moment from a primetime game between these two teams years ago. Okay, hit the music. I totally agree. And I think that's going to be a fun game. That game means a lot. So we were thinking of taking the YouTube live and just putting that on Thursday. But why not do it on both nights? So we're going live on YouTube after each one of those games. Bummer of a day with Parsons and Holmes and Devante, but the football carried us through. Join us Monday night. We'll see you then.

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