Eagle Acumen: Previewing Every Week 3 Game

31:35So you do wonder if, you know, you can get DK with some run after the catch or Calvin Austin, over the middle or all those tight ends because despite the defensive line playing well, it hasn't really mattered because there's just holes everywhere at safety and linebacker especially. Yeah, I like DK Metcalf in this game. I think he's good to me early on.

31:58The Steelers defense though, good lord. Crazy, right? Obviously, there's been a lot of talk. We talked even earlier this week about the run defense and the reasons why. They just look old, man. I think and and by the way cam hader was I know I'm like a little bit of a stan he was the best player on Sunday by far he was the only one he was getting in the backfield a few times there was a couple times where he made it he he almost had Sam Darnold dead to rights and Darnold man to pull off uh a throw and then like 20 guys missed tackles behind him yeah and I'm sure one of them was Patrick Queen who it just feels like he's over pursuing every single play the Patriots showed last week you know they they can take advantage I think and and be a little bit of a game plan offense which is interesting with with Mac you know with Josh McDaniels that they really changed up what they did week two to week one so I think about those matchups back in the day when McDaniels was was facing Tom and I just think there's holes here Keanu Benton's a problem their safety position's a problem and yeah you mentioned they look slow and like maybe not a nose like they're maybe miss he's miscast in this defense right now I like your point about the Patriots too and their offense switching things up.

33:07I thought it was interesting to see some of the tweaks they had. More May under center, getting the downhill run game going.

33:17I'm going to take the Steelers in this one because I think that Rodgers is going to be able to. I like generally Aaron Rodgers against flawed defenses. And I think the Pats have a flawed defense. So I'm going to take the Steelers in this one. I don't feel confident at all, but I'm going to pick the Patriots just because if they win and I didn't pick it, I'll feel like an idiot. And I just want to congratulate me for not bringing up Drake May in this conversation. I just did the Bill Simmons podcast and he managed to make it like 25 minutes before bringing up Drake May, which I feel like has to be a record for his podcast.

33:52OK, Vegas commanders. So let's just talk about the most important thing. Jane Daniels might not play in this game. you you update you have the update on practice what was it again he he won't practice until friday at the earliest he did not meet with the media either doesn't bode well uh so you're getting marcus mariota against the vegas defense i didn't talk about them because i was so focused on the gino meltdown on monday raiders defense hasn't been that bad man like i actually think that one of the units that has kind of outperformed expectations it'd be one thing if it was uh Daniels, but Mariota against this Raiders defense.

34:34If it's Mariota, I like the Raiders in this one. Wow. What? How is that a wow? It's Marcus Mariota. I guess you're right. And it's Geno Smith. I have Mariota's 2024 tape in my head. He looked good. He looked good in that system. I think as backup quarterbacks go, especially he seems to fit Cliff well. I think he's a good backup quarterback. You're right. I should be buying more into the Raiders defense because they fulfill one of my, the things I think about a lot where I know, you know, individual players aren't trying hard based on the opponent. They're not trying harder. I do think on defense, there is something to not trying harder, but playing with energy and aggression as an entire unit, you can see it.

35:18It can make up for the difference in talent. I think that the Raiders have, and I think you see that. And maybe I shouldn't be shocked with Patrick Graham and Pete Carroll coaching them. Yeah, I thought the corners played way better than I expected to. You know, McConkie was open here and there, and Johnston beat them, and he had that cover three beater where he was kind of a cool route. I don't remember which cornerback it was who kind of blew it there, but I agree. Gino against this defense, I think we could have a bounce back that nobody sees. We will see it. We need to come back here. No, I don't know if we're ever going to build back if Geno Nation can repair the wreckage Monday.

36:03He's really had some bad primetime games. He's had a couple good ones too, but he's had some bad primetime games, which I think has hurt the narrative. That was, I think, his worst start since he became the Seahawks starter. And you just want to, it didn't really make sense because he was just missing throws that were there. I do think he got a little scrambled by what Jesse Minter does. and I do not think Dan Quinn will do the same in terms of keeping the top over the defense. And it's a lot more man to man. I think Gino will be more comfortable. I also think hopefully Bowers is just healthier in this one, which was a big problem for them.

36:37So I'm taking I'm taking Vegas here unless Daniel starts. Then I'm flipping to Washington. I will take the commanders. They have the biggest possible rest advantage like on the East Coast with five days extra rest, which is, you know, not I don't I think that matters maybe a little early in the season. And I just like that Cliff Kingsbury and Chip Kelly are the offensive coordinators in this game. That makes it watchable to me. That is fun. All right. For the break, one more Jets, Bucks. This is you. All right. My question, and we got the news on Wednesday morning that Justin Fields will be out for this game officially.

37:15So it's Tyrod. I don't know if we know what Tyrod's going to give us, but he's been pretty consistent as a backup. up he's getting up there in years I'm gonna focus more on the side that I feel like I know more about after two weeks which is just can Aaron Glenn adjust can he can he do something on defense because I just think often to see what's coming from a mile away and they've got some talent deficiencies too and so I think he's gonna need to adjust for them to stay close in this game yeah I was curious to see what this marriage between him and Steve Wilkes looks like and I felt like coming into the season there was enough talent on the defense that while i didn't think there would be a top you know even above average unit i thought we would see pretty significant improvement from last year the early returns have been really bad i mean to your eye what is the biggest if you had to single out the biggest issue with the jets defense what do you think it is well communication just like bus which is crazy because they're not that multiple of a defense They're kind of showing you what they're going to do.

38:21And then I think it's some specific players. I think it's Brandon Stevens, which always seemed like a crazy contract. And then Jamie and Sherwood and Quincy Williams together. It seems like a bad combination, but Jamie and Sherwood especially has been like, he was all over the place though. In like over the last couple of weeks where he has been between him and Michael Clemens and Brandon Stevens I feel like those three players have been involved in almost every bad play that the Jets have had yeah I think the Bucs will be able to move the ball on them with ease I think that Bucky or Vane Rashad White two-headed monster are going to have a field day against this group um you know so that Baker's not even gonna like I think that he's not going to be in that many third and longs against them pretty easy Bucs win for me uh even if to rod wasn't starting but he is starting i hope he plays out well i mean you know i love it you know my doc affinity for him is well documented i just don't i just don't love anything about this i don't either because the bucks run defense is typically great uh as it always is with todd bowls and that's what they want to do there's no collage of cansy he's now out for the season i think the jets are going to make them sweat i don't know why i'm probably holding on too hard to my Jets are going to be frisky prediction from before the season.

39:42We're good in week one. Yeah, I do think they'll come back to earth and the Bucs have had to, they're not where they were offensively because of injuries at skill position. So I actually think this will be like a tough end of the game sequence, but I trust Baker in those situations. Let's take, well, unless Baker decides to throw it on a two point conversion. All right, let's take a quick break, come back and do an AFC South battle that deserves our full attention.

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41:45Tonight, LaQuinta. Tomorrow you shine. Terms and conditions apply. Texans-Jags fighting for second place. Well, I actually, yeah. Yeah, right, second place. The Colts have very command. Yeah, it's East-West-West-West-West. I guess it depends on what happens. Anyways, I digress. The AFC South is now... Okay, sorry. The Jags are 1-1, so the Texans want to be tied. The Texans trying to get off the schneid. Let's position it that way. All right. So I'm on the Jags side of this. You're on the Texans. Why don't you go first? Because this Texans season thus far has been very...

42:29I don't want to say unpleasant. I would say it just feels like deja vu in a way that I am not enjoying personally. Unsatisfying, unsettling, unnerving. I want, like my thing is, can we just get like a happy CJ Stroud sideline shot where we've become a Texans household for some reason? Because my son's a fan and now we're all in on it. Why did we move off the Rams? it's just uh my my daughter's uh rams fan my son's a texans fan so it's it's very confusing what's happening but you know we root for the kids as teams and like see it was been a very tough matchup the first couple of weeks for the texans but jacksonville has a pretty good pass rush too and i do think it's on houston nick cayley cj stroud to come up with quicker answers and especially in terms of protection because campanile the uh jaguars defensive coordinator has sent some pretty fun little blitzes.

43:28He's definitely, he's from that Jeff Hoffley world where he's throwing a lot out there. It hasn't all worked, but they'll throw a lot at this offensive line and they need to have solutions. They will have a couple receivers back this week in Christian Kirk and Braxton Berrios, which is a good sign. I think, how dare you loop in Braxton Berrios? I mean, like returner slash fifth receiver. No, I think, maybe I'm delusional, but I think Christian Kirk returning is actually sneaky important for this texas offense because it just felt it i complained about this on tuesday it just feels like stroud has no easy buttons right now in this offense and i do think they signed him with the intention of having him be that underneath option the chains mover the tank dell replacement the quick game guy it obviously hasn't been available so i really hope that his improvement helps in that regard.

44:20Yeah, so I'm on the other side.

44:26I got my eye on Brian Thomas Jr. in this one. Can we get a bounce back? Because he's going up against one of the best secondaries in the NFL, so he's probably going to get a lot of Stingley Jr. So he's going to be challenged. I'm sure he's heard the noise over what happened last week. where are you on the hospital ball versus giving up discourse which i've managed to avoid i unfortunately and unknowingly stepped into it without even realizing that it was a thing at the time yeah i think trevor lawrence has been one of the most consistently inaccurate quarterbacks since the day he entered the league and because of that he often does put his receivers into bad positions because he's late the uh you were also very high on brian Thomas uses you were the Brian Thomas Jr.

45:12guy the draft last year uh yeah I mean the truth lies somewhere in the middle right like Lawrence is late but also Thomas Jr. was really awful I thought in this last game and and yeah he's been pretty bad since the start of camp by all accounts and it's one of those things where you don't know what to think about when you hear that John Shipley, who I know you know who covers them for SIN Jaguars. He's the one that just kept mentioning all throughout camp. It's just been strange how bad of a connection Thomas Jr. and Lawrence has had like a ton of drops. If you watch the preseason games, it happened in the preseason games too.

45:51So something strange is going on. And yeah, there was like his postgame interview last week. They asked him like if he has confidence. And his answer did not sound like a guy with a lot of confidence right now. You don't even want to like psychoanalyze. analyze but the second year expectations he's not meeting them right now so a lot of it is on him also the number two overall draft pick uh travis hunter you just i mean what are you laughing about nothing go on sorry no i was just gonna say can can we can we get a target for my guy over 10 yards in this one like the the when they drafted him setting aside all of the like uh he's gonna play on both sides of the ball kind of thing and whatnot which i feel like early on looks like a mistake again it's a long season and a long career well i'm just when every player says it's probably too much to put on a guy's plate maybe they know a little thing or two about the difficulty of playing in the nfl and and the challenges that focus i mean i am not um like calling it on on travis hunter by any means it's week two and i still think he's a really special talent but it would have been nice for him to just focus on playing receiver i'm just saying i'm not even saying he was you know i think the pi on him at the end of the game was a little bit soft but I'm just you know like anyways but when I think about him at Colorado yeah you know there was screens and hitches and whatnot but like he's also unbelievable downfield he's like he has amazing hands he's like incredible body control guy and like I just feel like that the combination of those two players should be so much more dynamic than it's been early on Jackson been able to run the football really well That continues.

47:50Toon looks great. I think that's going to be important for them, obviously, against this Texans defensive line. And maybe they'll be able to pop off a few screens the way Tampa did. But, you know, like, God, can we get a little bit more? I mean, he was the number – he was – like, it's just been underwhelming early on, that's all. I laughed because as much as I was a Brian Thomas Jr. guy, everyone was a Travis Hunter guy, but I just felt like – I will still buy up all the Travis Hunter stock, and I think this is going to be incredible long-term. I know like... You mean him playing both positions is going to be incredible?

48:26I do. I don't know how it's going to work out long-term, but I just think he's going to be an incredible asset. Look, he's already doing it. He actually played more snaps on defense last week than he did on offense, 44 to 43. I went back because I am wondering why this isn't working. I thought he looked really good at cornerback actually last week. And it does make you think maybe they should have started out with majoring in that because at receiver, they're just manufacturing some touches for him, but he is not really in the flow of the offense. Trevor Lawrence has looked good throwing to the other guys.

48:59The other three guys, you know, Parker Washington, Deami Brown and Bretton Staines, they're getting off, but it doesn't seem like at receiver, maybe he's playing with the speed. That's my point. It's not that like he's a bad corner or a bad receiver. It's like, hey, maybe with rookies, we should let them just do one thing and do it really well. And yeah, I think I, like I said, I thought he looked good at corner and I thought the PI was dumb, but I just, it just looks like too much right now. That's all I'm saying. Um, I'm going Houston here. I think this is the game they win. I think the defense, which has been awesome through two weeks is, uh, outmatches Jacksonville on offense.

49:37yeah i'll go houston as well it's a really big moment for the texans in their season go going to owen three uh with the with the way this division is shaping up would be really tough the vibe like it's it's one of the biggest tests of domico ryan's career they were in a very similar spot by the way in this exact week three oh and two against the jaguars a year ago and managed to win that game. Falcons, Panthers, moving from the AFC South to the NFC South. This is you. Very insane. Bryce Young game last week. It was, you really had to watch the whole game. Some ups, some downs, or more like some downs, some ups, some downs.

50:23What are you watching for in this one? I'm watching Michael Penix. Look, I would love to live in a world where the Falcons are number one in defensive EPA per play and DVOA after week three, which is very much on the table, and it's just a crazy world to be living in. But I think Penix hasn't gotten a lot of attention this year because of the defenses that he's faced. This rejuvenated Todd Bowles defense for the Bucs and then the Vikings in back-to-back weeks. I am really impressed. I think the second-year leap is happening. I just think he's so good. from the neck up doing next level stuff and understanding where pressure is coming from and when to get rid of the ball.

51:07He just looks like a veteran quarterback. And we know that there will be flashy plays and he's going to, he's going to miss some throws that that's who he is too. But overall, like I just have been impressed and I think he could go off in this game and the improvement will show up more against a defense like this. Michael Penix currently behind Bryce young in average depth of target which is i think to your point a lot of it is a reflection of the defenses they've played um and this is an opportunity for them to go crazy through the air in my opinion because i think the path is defense stinks uh yeah i i i mean last week against jj mccarthy in prime time the speed at which they were playing was so glaring the contrast pardon me in the speed like it it's not like like i was joking afterwards to nate and danny like jj made michael penix look like a machine out there like because he was just so ponderous right with some of his reps um but he does have a really quick release and it looks really good and and he you know um those outbreakers it looks as good as ever i would love to see him use the middle of the field more in this one uh i would love to see him use drake london on deep long concepts uh but yeah i mean bijan robinson against his run defense come on like he's he's gonna go crazy too i feel like it do you feel are you frustrated watching bijan bijan he's back to bijan because Because, you know, we joke about everybody's the same take.

52:46Like, wow, he's making like, these are like the coolest four and five yard runs you've ever seen. But it should be so much more. Like, he's so good. And when you watch him, you feel like he's still being hamstrung. I don't know if it's by the scheme, not having him under center, blocking. Like, what do you think watching him that's holding us back? That he's gotten better each and every year, which is saying something because he started at a high level. And the numbers would back that up in terms of forcing his tackles and just the rate numbers. I do think a lot of it has been trying to help this offensive line and right tackle survive in these first two opponents.

53:20And I think they've played winning football. I was so impressed with how they handled the end of the Bucs game on offense. They were nails in that fourth quarter in a lot of tough situations where their line wasn't playing well. So the short answer is offensive line. And I think it's going to get a lot better when the opponents get easier. Yeah. I mean, also, if they once again showed a willingness to push the ball downfield, that would help a little bit. But on the other side, I am not buying the complete, you know, like the Falcons defense is what their numbers are thus far. But I do think that they are a tough matchup for a Panthers offensive line that is missing now Robert Hunt and Austin Corbett.

53:58Just brutal injuries. Yeah, it's just Bryce Young has got a tough sledding ahead of him with that line. looked like it uh even though he played a lot better in the second half this past week i'm pretty worried for him moving forward yeah losing those two linemen are massive because they were such a good team running the ball this year or last year and they really haven't been this year they need that it's such a cliff after tetaroa mcmillan in terms of who is their second weapon it's still one of the worst rosters in football it's it's sad to say but it just is mcmillan looks amazing. He looks great.

54:39They hit that. I'm on the Falcons here. You as well? I'm on the Falcons big. I love this Raheem Jeff Ulbricht marriage. It's kind of fun. Yeah. Defense is playing well. I don't mean to diminish them too much. I just think JJ McCarthy holding the football for 20 seconds helps as well. All right. Sorry, Minnesota fans. This is a great game. Broncos Chargers. This is one of the best games of the week. You have the Broncos. You go first. Yeah, which Patrick Sertan is out there. It just seems like a stupid point to talk about an injured guy, but he left with what didn't look like a great ankle injury last week and then came back in and they were targeting him.

55:20I mean, Pittman beat him a couple times. Warren beat him. They were throwing at him, and it wasn't a good defensive performance for the Broncos. Their pressure wasn't getting there consistently enough despite setting, I think, a 70 % blitz rate. I mean, you're a wild man, Vance Joseph. But if Sertan is not Sertan because he's not 100 % or he's just not playing well, they just don't look the same as a defense. Yeah, I mean, Branca's man coverage was really exposed that week. And when you lose... Like your elite player, it kind of has a chain reaction effect because now they don't have to stay away from his side of the field necessarily.

56:02I mean, the Broncos, I think I talked about, no, I don't think I talked about that on the spot. The linebackers were really exposed against Indianapolis, and I have to think Greg Roman is going to attack them pretty mercilessly. Roman's also been really good at drawing up plays against man coverage. They're really good at finding ways to spring Lad McConkie open against those looks. So I think schematically this is going to be a really interesting one for Roman because I think we're going to once again see Justin Herbert air it out a little bit. Just been kind of a funny development this season.

56:35And yeah, I think. I wrote on the other side for the Chargers. Can Jesse Minter put Bo Nix in the walls of Jericho? I mean. that's it yeah the kinbo be patient because he hasn't been i don't think through two weeks i i thought his tape against the colts was not as good as i expected when i re-watched it down the stretch of that game i think we talked about this with the charges defense you gotta do two things you gotta run them out of those looks and then you gotta beat them downfield with like a big ball winner. I don't think that the Broncos will do both of those things consistently. They could run the ball on them.

57:20The Chargers have gone up against two extremely anemic rushing attacks. So as good as the defense has looked and they have looked awesome, the Chiefs and the Raiders have maybe like bottom five run games right now in the NFL, right? Like it feels fair. Denver hypothetically should be better at running the football even than they've been I would argue so to me that's how you know you keep bone eggs out of those third and longs you have to forced you may know the style of football that the Chargers defense wants to play can you run it on them I think is the key to making this competitive for them I was surprised last week too that they went so heavy JK Dobbins not a lot of RJ Harvey after he closed out week one and Tyler Batty's in in the game in key spots too so they they they will drive fantasy owners crazy the receivers will too it that is a great big brain matchup Sean Payton versus Jesse Minter kind of the the old versus the new and yeah I think I think it's on Bo Nix to kind of just like take the plays that are there because you gave me the the phrase too much dip you know on the chip, which I have stolen and occasionally use.

58:33I feel like he went to Costco and bought a family level of dip this offseason, and Bo Nix is just out there trying to make these Patrick Mahomes plays all the time, and it's just like it's a little too much. It's a little too much. Yeah, his legs could be a big factor as well. But, yeah, this is all about just get five yards of play, man. Just five yards of play. You got to be able to just grind it against this defense. I think I looked at the Chargers schedule I was like who could really challenge them and they really match up well with most of their opponents defensively because of the style of play um Cleo Mack's injury is obviously a big deal here but yeah I'm gonna go Chargers in this one man I attempted to take the Broncos because I think the defense could bounce back a little bit but until Dre Greenlaw is up and running I'm pretty pretty pretty concerned about this linebacker group.

59:30Yeah. They got good news on Mac that it apparently is going to be back in a couple of weeks, which I was shocked by that I thought was going to be longer. I will go Broncos. I think the chargers have clearly looked better this season. I just, I just imagine this being a two, I guess I can't imagine a world where the chargers are three and O and just be all three division opponents. And everything is so good that there are two games up on the Broncos and the chiefs. Like I, I'm not ready to like put my mind that that world can exist. All right. Saints Seahawks is just me. So it's Spencer Rattler and the Saints who are 0-2 against the 1-1 Sam Darnold-Led Seahawks.

1:00:11I wrote, can the Seahawks run defense show up again the way that they have? So far through the first two weeks of the season, the Seahawks are fifth in run defense, fifth in EPA per play, seventh in success rate, sixth in yards per carry. And, you know, yes, that was against the Steelers, but also against Christian McCaffrey and the Niners. week one and they go up against the saints offense that has been so pretty good at writing the bubble i mean it looks good out there yeah uh sneaky trade potential there by the way i mean right there yeah right like the saints will ever give up uh and then rattler himself using his legs has also been a problem and i think that's something to watch out for because he has had some some scrambles in big moments.

1:00:56So to me, like if, you know, is this going to be competitive? Well, if the Saints can run the ball, I could see it being competitive. So let's see if the Seahawks can keep stopping it the way that they have. Yeah. My like opinion that I will be bringing up whenever they talk about Alvin Camara for Canton one day is that his numbers over the last four, five years specifically should be so much better that he is so much better of a player and still more explosive than you think, like not long speed, But the short area quickness, he is so good. And they haven't really, like their offensive line hasn't looked great.

1:01:29Fuaga admitted he's playing through an injury and it's looked like it, like a patella injury in terms of his knee. They've actually given up the second most amount of quick pressures in the league. I mentioned Stafford was the most. So Rattler has done a good job surviving, but this is another order of magnitude, you know, like difficult defense, I think, to go up against for their run game and for Rattler. We taking the Seahawks, I presume, here? All right. Same. You liking the Darnold era? This is your time. You were part of the hive. He's been such a minimal factor. No, I just like... He's made a few impressive throws.

1:02:12He's made a few boneheaded mistakes. But think about this last game. They ran the ball really well against Pittsburgh. I think that's going to be... I mean, that's the way that Klubiak wants to play, right? Whether or not they can do it against good run defense is to me is just going to be the single biggest factor in determining whether or not they can move the ball on offense. Defense absolutely slaps. But Sam Darnold, you know, I mean, yeah, can he protect the football and then can he hit JSN on some of those play-action passes? That's kind of going to be the question every game, I feel like.

1:02:49But, you know, I thought he played well this last week. I don't think he was spectacular. How did you feel watching him? No, I agree with all that. I don't know why I just felt I wanted your Darnold take after the heartbreak of losing Gina. I know. Gina was way better week one. Darnold was way better week two. Don't keep doing this, Seahawks fans and Steven Ruiz out there. It's a losing game. Smalls here, if you're heading into summer without a medical emergency kit, you're taking a risk most people don't think about until it's too late. Summer colds can turn into sinus infections that last weeks, ruining your perfect vacation getaway.

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1:05:52I've enjoyed the process of every NFL nerd watching Caleb Williams and defending him this week. Now I feel like seen because I totally did on our last NFL daily. I mean, it's really good. You go first. You go first. This is your game. Yeah, I do think it's on Caleb and Ben Johnson to target the middle of the field against this Cowboys defense, which had so many problems a week ago. But I would start with the Kenneth Murray, Jack Sanborn, Leah Fowl combination that's going on. And I just think the Bears, with this head coach and Caleb, who's had very good games in the NFL, it's not like it's all been like average or below.

1:06:42I think they have enough mismatches where this should be like a Colston Loveland game. This should be a DJ more like out of the slot type of game over the middle of the field. Totally agree. I mentioned Camara is like a potential trade target. Chicago Bears, please trade for running back. I can't do it. I can't do this. I can't do this anymore. Bears running back, DeAndre Swift, worst success rate in football right now. All their numbers right now are skewed by Caleb Williams. You need to, if you're going through those stats, team rushing stats, you got to take out the quarterback. They can't run the ball for s***.

1:07:18And watching him, a lot of it is on him, right? I'm sorry, but it's just so lackluster at this point. and this offense isn't going to succeed unless they can at least run it at an average. I'm not asking them to be Detroit. I'm not asking, you know, like just an average level. Looks like it was a huge mistake for them, by the way, GM not to pursue it back this year and need the draft of free agency. There's a few mistakes by that GM that are on this roster. On the flip side, how about the Javante Williams revival? I think he's going to go crazy in this game because the Bears can't stop the run at all.

1:07:57Did not see that coming. And yeah, I have not heard anyone as annoyed with DeAndre Swift since the Lions coaches in Hard Knocks a few years ago when they would still give us some good clips. They felt like they hated DeAndre Swift. I am shocked. Javante Williams being this, I don't know, springy is the word I would use is a shock. He's running into light boxes for the most part because teams are so afraid of Lamb and Pickens, which is what it was always going to be with Lamb and Pickens. But I didn't think he was going to be able to take advantage of them the way that he has. Holy smokes. It's a good reminder.

1:08:29And I think we're seeing this right now with different players around the league. Dexter Lawrence might be one of them. It's like we have the, these sky high expectations when these players come back from devastating injuries and then they're way below it. And then we overcorrect and think they're done. And then two years removed from that, those devastating injuries, they look back to close to their normal selves again. And that's hopefully where Javante Williams is at. But Javante Williams, too early in his career, he was such a violent runner. But I always thought his elusiveness was underrated.

1:09:03It was kind of like, wow, he's a bruiser. And you've really seen it these last few weeks. I know the light boxes is real. This last week he had 10 carries into light boxes for 87 yards, by the way. But he's creating as well. It's not just the line. I think the line has played well. And it's not just the structure of the defense. Like, I think he is individually making some of these big plays in a way that it's been fun to watch. Not so much fun as somebody who has Jaden Blue in Dynasty, which looks like a terrible pick. But, yeah, I'm going to take the Bears. I think this is a big bounce-back opportunity for this Bears offense.

1:09:43But I also really don't like this Bears defense against Dallas. So I think this is, yeah, high scoring. What about you? Jalen Johnson out for the year is brutal for this Bears secondary. I will take the Cowboys. I'm basing it off Dak Prescott and vibes. I just like the shoddy vibes. I just feel like I can imagine them winning some close, just totally bizarre game that we're talking way too much about on Monday for an 0-3 and 1-2 team. Watch the under Swift go crazy in this one. Certainly an opportunity against this defense. Okay. NFC West, Cardinals, Niners. This is me. uh it's another game of mac jones right it seems like he's still starting he played really well last week kasha annan's still really good at his job um i'm gonna focus on the cardinals because i just haven't talked about them that much the hell happened in this run game like clayton adams into dallas their running coordinator i so through the first two weeks of the season, everybody outside of Kyler Murray has a sub 40 % success rate.

1:10:52James Conner this last week, three yards a carry.

1:10:59Some of it is, I think, on the offensive line, and they've had some injuries, but you start to worry about Conner maybe hitting a bit of a wall he's ranks in the rushing yards over expected he ranks pretty bad maybe you need to start you know like Trey Benson is that maybe like but I feel like the this Cardinals offense has such a specific identity with you know being led by the tight ends and running the football and if they can't run the football then you're just hoping Marvin Harrison Jr. has looked good the first two weeks of the season, you know, but they don't really, they're not really getting that much production outside of him and McBride.

1:11:45So if you can't run the football, there's going to be a lack of consistency in this offense. You got to run the football better than they have. And by the way, Kyler's scrambling really well. He had an incredible scramble this last week, more so than the designed runs. But I just feel like the run game has to click for me to believe in this team. I agree. And they're the team I'm most curious to see against like a different opponent. And this Robert Sala 49ers defense has been pretty good because it's no shame to the Cardinals. They got the 2-0 start that they need to, but at New Orleans, home for Carolina is about as soft as it's going to get, and there have been concerning parts about the offense.

1:12:18You mentioned the running game. They were always so cohesive. It's like you know it when you see it. They were greater than some of their parts in terms of their line, and I don't know if it's the coaching change or what it is, but they're definitely less than that now. And then Kyler, he's interesting. There's like a stat of what you do when you're under pressure, And like Kyler does not throw the ball that much. Like he, he take, or to his receivers, like he takes sacks, he throws it out of bounds or he scrambles. And so like there, there isn't that sort of calm in the pocket that you're feeling right now from Kyler who's been fine through two weeks.

1:12:51He hasn't been bad, but if they can get pressure on him and, and they've been solid overall on defense, especially their linebackers have just been incredible. Yeah. I, that's an interesting side of this as well, because, um, like i said mac jones he started had a rough start and then he turned things around and you know his dicing up i mean it felt like he his first read was open consistently against new orleans saints can the cardinals who are well coached and kind of tricky defense take some of that away um this is a tough one i am tempted to go cardinals here but i think i'm gonna go niners I think that the Niners defense is for real.

1:13:38I can't believe I'm picking Mac Jones to win two straight. And because he was throwing them up there, he will give you a chance. I actually think the Cardinals are almost due to play better, even though they haven't won these games. I am going to go Cardinals based on them forcing some turnovers from Mac Jones. 3-0. I don't feel good about that. How do you feel about that? What? The Cardinals being potentially 3-0. It would be very strange. Either one of these teams is a little strange. The 49ers, just because they're so banged up. But Sal is out there. It does seem like the Salisons is happening right now.

1:14:21He's doing some more creative things. Dee Winters and Fred Warner has been crazy. Crazy. I'm talking myself out of my pick. Fred Warner that's another thing about this Cardinals team it's like can you match up with McBride I think the Niners can I'm switching my pick Bosa's looks really good okay two more games but I want to make sure we leave a lot of time for the final one because Monday Night Football is a barn burner Chiefs Giants

1:14:54I'm going to focus on the Giants offense versus the Chiefs defense side of this. Did the Chiefs actually solve the problems in their secondary from week one is what I'm interested. Or did they just run into a Jalen Hurts-led offense that's not pushing the ball downfield? It's pretty much the key to stopping Russell Wilson. The Giants is not giving up deep balls to him, right? I mean, in last week, he went kind of thermonuclear, throwing the ball downfield.

1:15:27I think that Steve Spagnuolo is going to zone blitz him a lot, and I think play too high cover two variance behind it. So to me, like whether or not that execution looks as good as it has in the last few years is going to go a long way towards determining whether or not Russell Wilson can attempt some of those passes. Giants receivers looked really good last week. So, you know, it's a unique challenge. I think that Russell Wilson versus Steve Spagnuolo is something that intrigues me. It feels like a mismatch, and it feels like he will force Russell Wilson into making some throws that he probably shouldn't when the way to beat them is going to be with patience.

1:16:09And I just worry my number one concern with this Chiefs team long term is with the pass rush overall. all. And I don't think it's going to show up too much in this game that the Giants offensive line will see if they get Andrew Thomas back. That's really hurt them not having him. They can't run the ball at all. You mentioned bottom five running teams. They might be the worst at least through two weeks that the Giants just no push whatsoever. Not nothing at all. So if that makes them one dimensional, I don't think that the problems that I see for the Chiefs are going to show up too much in this game but i am worried about the pass rush overall yeah the um chiefs offense i feel is just kind of going to kind of look like they have over the last few weeks i was going to talk about the chiefs run game against the giants but let's be real like is it going to look different probably not they're you know your pass rush win rates at espn which i do like as a quick and dirty and i know it's so early and it's so matchup dependent but the chiefs offensive line numbers are you know brutal like in terms of how they've played overall which is a little surprising to me and Kayvon Thibodeau is playing really well he has about as many like run stuffs as any player in the league I think Abdul Carter has been better than than the numbers you have Dexter like it it could be tricky like I could see Chiefs having to sweat this game out a little bit because their offense just isn't explosive enough um I feel like the Chiefs backs are getting stuffed let's see i was about you you got me thinking about that i was gonna pull up their stuffed rates i mean they're they're not at the bottom of the league because they're not like it's it's not as many negative runs as some of these other teams that we've been talking about the bears the raiders and whatnot but it's pretty bad and obviously similar to chicago if you take out the mahomes carries it's really really bad their next leading carry has 47 yards next leading rusher Mahomes has like 120.

1:18:07It's like crazy. Where are you on the Andy needs to change his offense? Because, you know, it's all this inside zone, shotgun, running game. First of all, justice for Matt and Aggie. Like, they've been doing this for three years before, you know. It's Andy Reid's offense. Yeah, they do seem a little fresh out of ideas or just trying the same stuff. Remember Andy, we used to come into the season and everyone would be like, oh, wow, look at what Andy's doing. We're going to copy them. You're not seeing that right now. All right, I'm still going to take the Chiefs here. I think that C. Spagnuolo, like you said, I think that they'll be able to blitz Russell Wilson and catch this Giants offensive line by surprise and force some turnovers potentially.

1:18:55But yeah, until Rasheed Rice returns, I think I'm kind of out on this Chiefs offense. yeah and we don't know if we're the plays right in this game or not i'm a little out on them and yet i think this will be a major comeback to earth game for russell wilson if i had to guess and that we'll we'll hear more jackson dart talk next week all right lions ravens here we go i'm going to baltimore on saturday uh this game is incredible yeah we're we're pretty excited to have this on Monday Night Football. Okay, so I will go first. We got the Lions fresh off of a dominant win, bounced back over the Bears.

1:19:37The Ravens took out their frustrations on the Browns. Two one-in-one teams, which is kind of crazy. A lot of things we could talk about with this. One thing I'm interested in, I'll focus on this from the Ravens' standpoint, is the return of Isaiah Likely. I think he is going to play in this one. It looks like he's been practicing for a minute. He was questionable last week. But anyways, because I think that the Ravens offense, without their standard 12 personnel passing attack, has been somewhat limited. I know that didn't look like it week one. But I think getting back likely is sneaky big. And I think it's sneaky big against this Lions defense that through the first two weeks of the season, obviously it's just two games, has matched two tight ends 100 % of the time with base defense.

1:20:33So the Ravens need to have the ability to throw a play-action pass. When I think about the Ravens' offense at its best, and I think about when it's operating on all cylinders last year and dominating opponents, to me it's likely an Andrews team putting the wrong players on the field and then being able to take advantage of that likely particular on those, you know, he brings more of that vertical element. So I think he could be sneaky big in this one coming back. I think maybe his like absence has been a little bit underplayed. It's a great call. And then you think about what those matchups are going to be when Lions are in base, whether that's like Anzalone or Derek Barnes getting stuck on, you know, one of those guys.

1:21:11Can Mark Andrews like do a little more? Not a lot early on. That's a little concerning. I know, you know, they love talking about how much they love Charlie Kolar. They're like third, but he is like a strictly blocking guy. And it's interesting. I'm not worried about the Ravens offense, even in the least. Obviously, they, you know, look at the point totals. It honestly seems like the biggest problem is like there's so many mouths to feed. Like DeAndre Hopkins has three incredible catches this season, and he's only played like 25 snaps on the season. Not that I think he's going to be a huge difference maker, but Bateman's been quiet.

1:21:44Andrews has been quiet. it Derek Henry's you know coming off of a bad game he's fumbled like a couple times it's crazy that they're putting up 40 points a game when when all those things are true um where are you on this Lions defense early on very worried everyone made that comparison after week one oh the Cowboys they could be the new Bengals and I and I was kind of thinking like could the Lions be the not that worried I'm a little worried maybe not that bad but in the in the sense of like what I think people were hoping the Bengals could be like a 12 win team where the defense is 20th and the offense is second.

1:22:22Like I do think in this game specifically, the lions will have to be up for winning a out and out shootout. Cause I just don't think a team with this little pass rush. And I, I am very worried about their pass rush is ultimately going to slow down, you know, the Ravens for four quarters outside of Aiden Hutchinson. and it's just, you know, he's still kind of coming back online. He looks good. He looks fine. I think he'll be fine by midseason. But, like, yeah, it's nothing. I think, like, not having McNeil, who's, like, sneaky, massive for them. And he'll be back at some point, so hopefully that helps.

1:22:59So that's good, right? Yeah. Yeah, no, he will. Yeah, he will. Yeah, yeah. Yeah, it's brutal. I thought this Lions defense would be really good. And I mean, what lost in the Caleb thing is that he was kind of, he was moving the ball on them a lot. They just got outgunned and then they had to play catch up. Right. And Brian Branch had like an incredible game. They have a couple incredible players. But when you think about, OK, you said how they're in base defense a lot. OK, not a lot of teams doing that and a little slower. They're not like dynamic at linebacker. And then they're essentially playing the closest thing to two nose tackle-ish run stoppers in the middle of their line.

1:23:40So there's not a lot of pass rush juice there. And then their other edge is Al-Kahid Muhammad, who was on a practice squad last year and played okay. And then Marcus Davenport, which he literally got hurt on a sack last week, which I felt bad just thinking of Saints fans watching that. but it was just like the most Marcus Davenport play ever that he got hurt on the sack. He did return and they just don't have enough guys. I can't believe they didn't sign Zedaria Smith. I think it was a big mistake by them. Yeah, I feel, I mean, every time I say that the Ravens can throw the ball, then they just come out and like put up like 300 yards in the ground.

1:24:20But I, you know, I think that the Ravens play action passing attack is going to be a problem for them. On the flip side, I mean, so you're on Detroit. I suspect you're going to, you're going to approach that side of the ball because that's where I think this could get interesting. Yeah. Then that was not to skew negative because it's basically, is there interior line up for a shootout? I do think that's the style of game that this needs to be. And they were obviously much better in a much easier matchup against Chicago. I thought they did more outside zone, you know, outside runs, which were great.

1:24:49I think take advantage of where they're better on the offensive line and Gibbs can win that way. but basically is that group up for the challenge? Cause the Ravens are good on the defensive interior with, with Matt Abouike and Travis Jones, because if they can hold out up, you were reminded last week. Oh yeah. Like it's players, not plays. And like, there's just so many incredible players on this offense that I lean towards that. Yes, they are up for that sort of challenge. Yeah. I think it's going to come down to whether or not they can run the football more like they did in week two versus one.

1:25:25I will say, watching back some of Jameer Gibbs, it was mostly outside zone runs. All it took from him was like one step to get the entire Bears run defense flowing. And then he would just kill them going the opposite. He did it like over and over and over. It really shows you the benefit of, by the way, like having an outside zone running game under center. Pijan doesn't get this. Because it felt like the Bears defense just had no way. they were completely confused by him in the backfield. Ravens events much better against the run. But I'm watching the linebackers. So last week it looked like, I don't know how to say his first name, Teddy.

1:26:07It's Teddy, but with an E at the end. Buchanan was playing more than Simpson next to Roquan Smith. And the Browns got him a few times in the run game with, you mentioned Judkins. I think that's going to be really important Because you saw last week when Jared Goff is supported by run game and he has time on play action, and it felt like he had five seconds against Chicago on every play action pass. Truly. He can cook. He cooked them. He was perfect. So he's like, can you take that away? In that, like, Jameson Williams can cook them too. Like, there just aren't many players like him. Amon Ross, St.

1:26:43Brown, I thought that was one of the best games of his career. I know he's had crazy statistical games. He was unbelievable last week. And he can do that. There's no one. I know the Ravens are better in the secondary, or they hope to be, than some recent years past. But Jair Alexander has already played himself off the field. We'll see if he's back this week. But he's not going to be a key part. There will be mismatches for them, ultimately, for Goff to find, as long as he has a little bit of time. I do think no Kyle Van Noy hurts because, you know, you mentioned the second linebacker spot. I think, you know, their edge depth overall is pretty poor.

1:27:22And so, right. It's a good call. And he's been relatively quiet. He's been on the field, but he's been relatively quiet through two weeks. Yeah. The Ravens defensive depth is definitely being tested early on. And you are seeing like kind of they're mixing it up a lot. They're not like Zach Gore is not saying like cool Alexander play through. Like you put in TJ Tampa. You know what I mean? Like we're going to see. Yeah. Maybe Buchanan plays more. I just think if really, and you could say this about every Lions game, to be honest, but if you can limit Gibbs, then you're solid. Don't you just feel like he is the straw that stirs the drink in this offense?

1:28:04Right. I mean, St. Brown was amazing, but he was allowed to be amazing because Goff had so much time. He's also someone that other teams just don't have, except for the falcons and maybe the eagles that it's just that unique of a weapon at running back it totally tilts the field you're right he really like moves at a different speed out there and when that's that trap play where it just felt like last week is just crazy yeah and again i think the bears run defense is a real problem um but it'll it'll be a test i think the lions i'm with you i think the Lions best chance of this is it being high scoring.

1:28:44The last time they played, do you remember? I feel like I know. There was 2023 and the Ravens destroyed them. Right. It was pretty much the worst like golf game slash Lions offense game in a couple of years. Right. The Lions have not beaten the Ravens since 2005. I missed something. I'm taking the Ravens in this because I think that the Lions defense has a lot of concerns but i wouldn't be surprised if this is high scoring and ends up being closer than maybe yeah it was a little higher of a line than i expected my if i'm gonna get spicy it's that the right the ravens actually win going away in in the end because i think the coordinator change and just how this line season is going to play out i think they're going to be more the lines team they want to be by december i think the ravens are a little more fully formed right now to to win like a 40 to 31 type of game something like that that would be an interesting um like discussion or podcast like what teams are going to be better in december than they are now um easy choices you know a lot of teams with coaching changes for sure but i mean i felt that way about chicago since the beginning um the ravens are usually that team so maybe i'll be wrong like They often close very strong and start quite slow.

1:30:07I just can't get the first three quarters of week one out of my head when they just looked unbeatable. But then they collapsed. Yeah, I'm going to go Ravens here, but it could be fun. I'm excited. It's going to be a fun game. You get to just stay and watch it live? That's great. No, I think I have to watch it on a plane, and then I'll watch it the next morning too. Yeah, I have to go to Bristol on Tuesday. And then I'm in New York. Well, that's it for this week. Everybody, go check out Greg's podcast, NFL Daily. It is as advertised. It comes out a lot more than this one. You can check out my podcast with David Dennis Jr., Viewer Discretion.

1:30:46We are talking about Alien Earth and Task. You watching Task? I need to, but no. I love stuff like that. It's two episodes in the tank, HBO. You can find that on YouTube or look up Viewer Discretion wherever you get your pods. thank you as always to my friends at omaha productions who make this podcast kirsten sebecki anthony sit owen sailor combined two other names jack foster tucker tashin just force to have it uh otherwise i will be back next week to talk about what is hopefully a great monday night football game with dominique foxworth i'll see you then

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