In short
The show opens on Giving Tuesday and then pivots to NFL reactions—especially the New York Giants’ “what the F was that?” collapse—plus debate about the Patriots’ current run and how far they can go. It also discusses quarterback Jackson Dart’s return from concussion protocol and whether he’s learning to protect himself, and includes a Patriots-focused statistical/eye-test argument for Drake May’s MVP-level play.
Key claims
Giants’ issues stem from discipline/coaching decisions (Abdul Carter benched for being late) and Dart’s repeated concussion/“reckless abandon” approach despite teammates’ warnings; Giants have lost seven straight and are on track for six or fewer wins. Patriots are portrayed as a legitimate playoff contender with Drake May’s production and special teams impact.
Notable examples
Carter’s benching after 1.5 sacks; Dart’s legal shoulder-to-shoulder hit and his postgame “I did a good job” response; a bizarre special-teams sequence involving a holder and Younghoe Koo.
Guests (backgrounds)
Scott Van Pelt (ESPN SportsCenter host, long-time NFL broadcaster); Jim Kelly (Pro Football Hall of Famer, Bills QB); Seth Rollins (WWE superstar).
Written by AI. May contain mistakes. Listen to the episode to check what was said.
Chapters
Tap a time to open that second in VOGiving Tuesday Kickoff
1:25 to 3:55
Rich discusses Giving Tuesday and the associated fundraising efforts.
“From the Rich Eisen Show studio in Los Angeles.”
Patriots Outlook
3:55 to 6:00
Discussion on the current state and outlook of the New England Patriots.
“If you're listening to us on ESPN Radio, v.org slash donate.”
Giants' Disappointing Performance
6:00 to 7:40
Analysis of the New York Giants' recent game and player decisions.
“to the point where it's now a conversation of how far can the Patriots go.”
Jackson Dart's Challenges
7:40 to 11:10
Rich dives into Jackson Dart's performance and the lessons he needs to learn.
“Malik Neighbors will come back next year.”
Protecting Themselves on the Field
11:10 to 14:00
Discussion about the importance of player safety and self-protection in football.
“It shouldn't be, like, any shocker to anybody if you've followed along with my career.”
Giants' Monday Night Meltdown
14:00 to 19:46
Analyzing the Giants' performance and key player issues from the game.
“and he just lost on Monday Night Football, and he's taking it really hard.”
Remembering Stuart Scott
22:35 to 28:01
Reflecting on Stuart Scott's legacy and impact within the ESPN community.
“And part of the V-World is our buddy, Stuart.”
Reflecting on Stuart Scott and Giving Tuesday
28:01 to 30:14
The hosts reminisce about Stuart Scott and promote the Stuart Scott Fund.
“Stu and and so I do think of him often um for instance the Bears right now like nine and three he'd be going out of his gourd about the Bears being nine and three right now and the one for For sure.”
ESPN's Scott Van Pelt Joins the Discussion
30:15 to 39:44
Scott Van Pelt shares insights on the current NFL season and teams to watch.
“So v.org slash Stuart in that regard and v.org slash donate overall.”
Analyzing NFL Team Struggles and Highlights
41:39 to 42:03
Discussion on the struggles of New York teams and upcoming matchups.
Show all 11 chapters
Patriots' Performance Analysis
42:03 to 47:15
An in-depth discussion on the Patriots' recent success and their playoff potential.
“And sure enough, you know, we are at the point where this team is 100 % making the playoffs.”
Transcript
Automatic transcript. May contain errors.0:00Thinking about refreshing the carpet in your home? Now's the time to do it.
0:03Rich Eisen:For a limited time at the Home Depot, get 10 % off installed carpet projects on trusted brands like LifeProof, LifeProof with PetProof Technology, Home Decorators Collection, and Traffic Master. Plus, with installation starting at just 49 cents per square foot, upgrading your space is more affordable than ever at the Home Depot. Offer valid June 11th, 2026 through June 28th, 2026. Exclusions apply. For licenses, see homedepot.com slash license numbers. Are all batteries the same? That's like asking if all soccer players are the same. Take Messi, the most decorated player ever. Is there any other player who has achieved that?
0:43No, just him. Now take Duracell. Is there any other battery with Power Boost ingredients inside? No, just Duracell. Goats only trust goats, because they're built different.
0:56Rich Eisen:And Messi only trusts Duracell. This is The Rich Eisen Show. Hey, everybody. Can't get enough of The Rich Eisen Show? You're in luck. You can find us everywhere. Watch us weekdays on Disney Plus from noon to 3 Eastern. Miss the show? We've got a podcast so you can listen anytime. But here's the best part. Our YouTube channel. Subscribe at youtube.com slash richeisenshow and you'll never miss a moment. Now, on with the show. This is the Rich Eisen Show. Rich Eisen. He's super bad. He's funtacular. He's Rich Eisen. He never kicked it. He kicked the ground. From the Rich Eisen Show studio in Los Angeles.
1:43Today's guests. ESPN SportsCenter host Scott Van Pelt. Pro Football Hall of Famer Jim Kelly. WWE superstar Seth Rollins. And now it's Rich Eisen.
2:00Rich Eisen:Oh, that's right, everybody. Welcome to this edition of the Rich Eisen Show. Thrilled to be with you here on a Giving Tuesday on ESPN Radio, presented by Progressive Insurance. Here on a Giving Tuesday on Disney+. The first time there's ever been such a thing, I believe, live on this wonderful place to stream for you and your kids. Also on the new ESPN app. Welcome to the first ever Giving Tuesday there as well. Well, and yes, for the first time since I did intermission reports seven different times in my first year at the once upon a time, as it was called worldwide leader in sports in a playoff hockey game on ESPN2, where I was on for seven hours, basically during a hockey game.
2:50Rich Eisen:I don't know. This is the longest stretch. This next three hours, the Rich Eisen Show on ESPN2 will be the longest I've had since back in the day on the deuce, handing off the network to Bill Pito at 2.30 in the morning for NHL tonight. So we're thrilled to be on ESPN2 here for all three hours today. Scott Van Pelt, my buddy from back in the day, is going to be joining us first up on this Giving Tuesday. Jim Kelly will be joining us in hour number two. And then Seth Rollins in studio, because this is the most consecutive weeks I think he's liked football in a long time. And the diehard Bears fan will be here.
3:32Rich Eisen:And there's you at 844-204-RICH, number to dial. While you are watching us today, do us a favor. Do yourself a favor. Do everyone who's part of the Jimmy V organization a favor and donate. To see if you're, again, watching us on ESPN2 or streaming us on Disney Plus in the ESPN app, there is a QR code for you to scan to donate. If you're listening to us on ESPN Radio, v.org slash donate. Whatever you can give, let's give. Because on this Giving Tuesday to kick off V Week, for the very first time, thanks to the Principal Foundation, in support of Principal and the Principal Foundation, launching a$1 million match challenge.
4:18Rich Eisen:So if we raise$1 million over V-Week, boom,$2 million. Just like that. You know what I mean? Let's do it. So it's a Giving Tuesday, and we're thrilled to be part of it right here on the Rich Eisen Show. Good to see you here, Christopher Brockman. The Patriots have been giving you joy. For a long time. For 10 straight games. Yeah, for a long time. 10 straight games. We're changing spark plugs. We're getting the lube out, Mike. The duck boats? The duck boats are coming. Start them up. They're coming soon, people. Start them up. Get ready. Be careful. You're sitting next to the man who is the arbiter of what's insufferable on this program and what isn't.
4:53Rich Eisen:Good to see you, Mike. I'm going for the Patriots. No, we don't need you. He's going for them. Good to see you, sir. Good morning, Rich. That's DJ Mikey D. TJ Jefferson, the candle's lit in the corner. How are you, sir? Good to see you. We're on to Detroit, everyone. Look at you. We need a country and Cowboys Super Bowl, TJ. You know what I'm saying? I mean, why not? Come on. I've never seen it before. Let's go. Come on. I think the television football gods would be certainly on NBC all over that. They would take it. They would take it. So would you. And so would you. And talk about insufferable.
5:32Rich Eisen:Listen, I guess I should say hello to everyone. I should be more charitable. It's a Giving Tuesday here on ESPN Radio. At any rate, it's kind of crazy what's going on in New England. Because this team, as you know, changes coaches. They change coaching staffs, even though we're all familiar with them, right? And we see what's going on there. And what's going on there, it's a back-to-the-future season. to the point where it's now a conversation of how far can the Patriots go. I mean, that's basically it. And I want to put a pin in that for the moment. Because here lies the New York Giants. Once again, for their fan base to have to see something and go, essentially, headline, what the F was that?
6:33Rich Eisen:And last night was a whole sack full of what the F was that. Okay? Starting with Abdul Carter standing on the sideline to start the game. And I thought to myself, was he hanging out with CD and George Pickens in Vegas and we didn't know about it? That's possible. Buck and Aikman must be sitting around going, how many times are we just going to sit here and go, why aren't those guys out there on a Monday night? Are they looking at each other going, is it us? Is it something I said? Is that something we did on a Monday night where, you know. Did I do that? I don't know, dude. Lisa Salters and Laura Rutledge sit around in the pregame meetings.
7:14Rich Eisen:And which one of us is going to go to the sideline to go, what's up with that? Why aren't they? This time it was Laura. They're over there like this. You know. But while we're wondering about that, and we have been wondering for the last couple of weeks, why would Jackson Dart come back and play in this season? Like, we've already seen enough from him, as far as I'm concerned, for the Giants to say, we've seen enough from you,
7:44Rich Eisen:and enough's enough. Check the box. We've checked the box. Malik Neighbors will come back next year. Cam Scadaboo will come back next year. You'll come back next year with a new head coach. And that's that. But if I'm Mike Kafka and I am potentially auditioning for the gig and I'm benching Abdul Carter to make a point because he's late to meetings and I want to win football games and Jackson Dart is, at the end of the day, a football player, which Joe Burrow reminded everybody, this is what I do for a living. Yeah. Right. Okay. So out comes Dart and now the question is, him sitting in concussion protocol for two weeks, two games watching Jameis do his thing does he come back and understand oh you know I'm not in the SEC anymore you know that there are some grown ass men on this field who are faster and it takes some time for people to adjust to this sort of thing I'll tell this story I'll give on this Giving Tuesday, Marshall Falk.
8:59Rich Eisen:Oh, pardon me. New head coach at Southern University. Marshall Falk. Coach Falk. Coach Falk. Yes. Once told me this story. He stood next to the sheriff in his rookie season in Indianapolis. He was Marshall Falk was Peyton Manning's first running back in the NFL. Which is crazy, right? Yep. First ballot all the time standing next to each other. Yes. And with Bill Polian, the general manager is going to have a bust one day, putting them together and breaking them up. But listen, that's not what I'm giving about here. Marshall would say Peyton Manning would throw interceptions. He threw, I believe, 28 in his rookie season.
9:40Rich Eisen:That after a while, he had to say something because Peyton would say the same thing coming off the field. I didn't think he could get there. Meaning the defensive back didn't think Marshall said that Peyton didn't think the defensive back would get to the spot where he's going and pick him off so marshall said to him at one point hey peyton this is the nfl they can all get there and i feel like jackson dart needs to get this message because if you're sitting here wondering how would he come back would he protect himself a little bit better after spending a couple weeks in concussion protocol the answer is no and uh christian ellis is the one who delivered the message on the sideline.
10:23Rich Eisen:Did he ever. Blew him up. Blew him up like the roadrunner on Wile E. Coyote. Super genius. Blew him up, and it was a 100 % legal hit. It was a massive shoulder-to-shoulder pad hit. There was nothing contacted at the head, and Dart should have stepped out one step sooner, but didn't. And the question is now, did he learn his lesson? And the answer is, again, I don't. Roll tape. Roll tape. This is football. Like, I'm going to get hit if I'm in the pocket or outside the pocket. Like, I feel like I've played this way my whole entire life. It shouldn't be, like, any shocker to anybody if you've followed along with my career.
11:20and we're not playing soccer out here. You're going to get hit. Things happen. It's just part of the game. I'm going to play aggressive. I feel like if I just turn into a complete pocket passer, that's just not how I want to play the game. I feel like there's an advantage to me using my legs.
11:44Rich Eisen:I don't know what else to say other than the fact, again, And it's a giving Tuesday. V.org slash donate. So let me give. Because I don't know if there's anybody there that's delivering the message for it to land. Here. I've never met him. I love the way he plays football. And I think it's perfect. He's perfect for this team, this market, this situation. I'm a native New Yorker. Jackson Dart is exactly the type of guy you would want to have as a quarterback of a New York football team. team he's got a little bit of the glitz and the glamour showing up looking like he's about to knock off Nakatomi Plaza last night but I guess Hans Gruber is not around to deliver the message she'll let me do this okay the NFL is counting to three there will not be a four that's a diehard reference again what happened when hans counted to four it didn't work out well yeah and i'm just saying in the nfl there's a difference between playing with abandon and reckless abandon and jackson dart you better find it because teams like the patriots coached up by Mike Vrabel are going to light you up.
13:13Rich Eisen:And it's not just the Patriots well coached in the NFL with defenders who are fast and can all get there. His teammates apparently are saying this to him. This was brought up by the media after that soliloquy about aren't your teammates are saying to us talking to us about your welfare and needing to take care of yourself. Your teammates admire your competitiveness, your fire, but they also have been telling you to protect yourself better. What do you say to that? I thought I did a good job tonight. What do you say to them when they tell you you need to protect yourself better? Just tell them thanks for looking after me.
13:59Rich Eisen:Listen, that's maybe just after a hard loss, and he just lost on Monday Night Football, and he's taking it really hard. And that's another great example of why I think he works out in New York City, because we all want in New York City. I'll speak for us. We all want guys who it matters, right? Where it looks like he matters.
14:20Rich Eisen:So that's all good. But if you think you did a great job last night because you did slide here and you did slide there, all it takes is one instance. That's it. I don't know what else to say. And somebody's got to say it to him. I don't know if it's the interim head coach or not. I don't know if an interim is going to really matter to him. I don't know. We always view the interim as like a substitute teacher. I'm sure the substitute teacher always views him or herself as the actual authority in the room anyway. I don't know. But it was a whole bunch for the Giants last night and their fans. A whole bunch of what the F was that?
15:02Rich Eisen:Abdul Carter getting benched for being late again. He has one and a half sacks on the season. He was the best player in the Big Ten last year. I don't know what the hell's happened. Okay? He had his first full sack of the season last night. And then he had this to say afterwards about being benched. Are you a second time in three weeks? You didn't start. What happened? What happened? What happened? I ain't going to get into detail. Why? Why, Anto? You're asking me the same question. I just answered. Was it justified? Yeah, I mean, I let my team down. First two drives I was out. They scored 17 points.
15:47Rich Eisen:I take responsibility for that. I got to be out there. I got to do better. Do you feel the message got there? Yeah.
15:56Rich Eisen:Okay. Okay. And then in terms of, here's Mike Kafka on the benching. By the way, he told Laura Rutledge, a coach's decision. You just said, okay, which is what Joe Buck said. Okay, all right. Here's Kafka after the game. There was a report that he was part of or all of a team event. Is that true? No, it was just strictly my decision. How concerned he is that now at the same time in three weeks he's had to be benched in this way? Yeah, no, it's unfortunate, but that's the way we kind of work with it this week. I mean, Mike, I imagine that when you mentioned him the first time, you hoped that the message would get through to the fact that this now, two weeks later, it's the same exact thing again, or something similar again.
16:42I would just say we have great communication, and he's one of my favorite players on the team, and that was one thing that we talked about, and it was my decision to not play him this week. Again, this is one of the things that I decided to do.
16:56Rich Eisen:Yeah, he's just not going to tell you any details. So the Giants have a third overall pick with one and a half sacks through 13 weeks. They've got a dynamic, dynamic quarterback, receiver, running back combination that we saw for about one half before Malik Nabors went out for the season. And then we saw the running back quarterback combination be the like football version of tango and cash for like three more weeks after that before the running back went out. And then the quarterback can't stay healthy and hasn't learned a single lick about what it is to protect yourself in the NFL, despite two concussions already.
17:40Rich Eisen:Two stints, one of which the last one that cost the coach's job. Not saying he cost. Well, I should. The coach cost himself his job and the quarterback's ascension should have saved it. But the last concussion was the last straw in terms of the way the ownership viewed coaching. And then in the middle of all this, I've never seen a place kicker become the Lucy of a kicking situation where Youngway Gu didn't reach down and snatch the ball away from himself, but he stopped kicking and the ball did move slightly but it was stationary enough to kick it and he stopped like what what's gonna happen once you i that you can't even call that it wasn't a missed field goal because he didn't swing his leg it was a sack yeah of the holder we saw the holder get sacked because the kicker didn't kick a ball that was ready to be kicked.
18:49Rich Eisen:I've never seen anything like it.
18:54Rich Eisen:So I guess the headline coming into this segment was what the F was that? But coming out, I guess we'll quote the third overall pick as happens. And the Giants, just real quick, so we'll get to Van Pelt. You saw all this. the New York Giants have now seven games in a row they've lost they're going to finish with six or fewer wins for the eighth time since 2016 eighth most such seasons by any time in that span oh and the Giants have now allowed a passing touchdown in each of their first 13 team games last time that happened Richard Nixon was president in 1972 I was three when S was really happening.
19:42Rich Eisen:844-204-RICH, number to die. We'll talk about the Patriots in a moment. Let's take a break. On this Giving Tuesday, Scott Van Pelt will join us next. He will give us his time. You give your cash if you can to v.org slash donate.
19:59Rich Eisen:The Rich Eisen Show podcast.
20:07Rich Eisen:O 'Reilly Auto Parts can help take the guesswork out of your vehicle's check engine, ABS, or maintenance light with O 'Reilly Veriscan. The service is free and provides a report with solutions verified by ASE certified master technicians. Ask for O 'Reilly Veriscan today. Rich Eisen here. And summer's here too. And that means it's travel season. My favorite summer trip last year was to Sao Paulo, Brazil. With so many fans traveling for the Los Angeles against Kansas City game, they got to see how lively the city is. I love the culture and the amazing food that I'm still craving. Those memories remind everyone that it's that time of year to plan a little getaway.
20:45Rich Eisen:And that's why summer has a way of turning weekends into big events. One minute, it's a normal week, and then all of a sudden, a huge concert, sporting event, or festival brings people in from all over. And when that happens, visitors start looking for places to stay all across your city. So if you're already planning a summer trip of your own, you could list your space on Airbnb and earn a little extra cash while you're away. It doesn't have to be some big year-round commitment. It's about making the most of a busy weekend when your place would just be empty otherwise. I can tell you, people love finding a place that helps them feel connected to the city that they're visiting.
21:21Rich Eisen:If your city's about to have a big summer moment, this is a great time to maximize your space. Your home might be worth more than you think. Find out how much at airbnb.com slash host.
21:59Rich Eisen:It's already here. Next starts now. Hyundai, an official partner of FIFA.
22:07Rich Eisen:Back here on the Rich Eisen Show on ESPN Radio, presented by Progressive Insurance. It's the first ever Giving Tuesday for us here on the Rich Eisen Show on ESPN2 and the Disney Plus app and the ESPN app. We're streaming on the Internet. We're linear cabling right now. And Scott Van Pelt, I couldn't think of a better first guest to have in our first ever Giving Tuesday to kick off V-Week as part of our new world with the Rich Eisen Show and Disney. And I'm just going to go here first, Scott, because we all know V.org slash donate is the spot to donate to. And part of the V-World is our buddy, Stuart.
22:47Rich Eisen:And the Booyah event that's going down in New York next week and his documentary is coming out next week. Next Wednesday, it's 30 for 30. What's the first time you met Stu, Scott? Do you remember when the first time you came face-to-face with Stuart-ish at all? Vaguely, because I was at the Golf Channel, which is where I began. And Tiger Woods had descended into this place that was just its own almost tier, which is amazing, really, that he took golf and a golfer became that athlete that was on par with a Jordan or a Jeter or a Kobe or whomever. And I think our orbits crossed at some event that involved Tiger.
23:33And we just instantly had this thing because I was an ACC guy where Maryland was at the time. It was before the whole college landscape shifted. So we instantly had this Maryland, Carolina thing. And I had this relationship with Tiger and Stuart did. And so it was really Tiger that I think kind of brought us into each other's orbit. And that was before I came to ESPN. And he, you, a lot of folks were really good to me when I came to ESPN, just in welcoming me. But I think Stuart, as much as anyone, had so much to do with sort of acknowledging me as a worthy peer, someone who had enough juice, as you did and do, to sit side by side with him and go kind of line for line, barb for barb.
24:21And you know what that kind of energy was like and what it required of you. And so we met before I was a colleague working together. And then my my on ramp with with him, I think, was so much Maryland, Carolina. And we had fun. And then, you know, as time moves on and you have a chance to really become peers that are working with one another, then it becomes an entirely different thing. And there aren't many of us rich that are lucky enough to know what that was truly like to try to, you know, hang on to the bull or the rocket ship and ride. But what a blast it was to do that on those big nights when, you know, a game ends and here it is and it's you and him and off we go.
Read the full transcript
25:04Rich Eisen:Yeah, and part of the V Foundation, we're talking about the Stuart Scott Fund at the V Foundation. That's already awarded over$22.1 million in grants. And I can't believe I'm saying these words since his passing in 2015. He's been gone 10 years, Scott. 10 years. And it feels just like yesterday we were watching him on television. You know, I can't believe it. I agree. And I was really, it was a blessing. I mean, I don't use that word lightly. It was a blessing to be asked a couple of years ago to to have Taylor and Sydney on and share with them that there was this that a dedicated space within the V Foundation in Stewart's name was was happening to serve, you know, underserved communities in terms of research and funding.
25:57And I sat there and I'm a crier. I get to like, I get moved to tears easily. And, you know, I have Taylor and Sidney and you again. We knew them as children. Now there are these women of such substance and they're beautiful and they're just like their mom and dad because it's not just that that are wonderful parents. that got so much to them. And I look in these faces of women and I'm like weeping because we're talking about their dad who's not here. And it's just so messed up, you know, that he's not here. And yet, because he's who he was, he always will be. So he always will be Stuart Scott.
26:38That will always exist in the universe, which I think is magical in a lot of ways, right? A legend truly doesn't die. They live on. And Stuart, like Jimmy V's words, you know, Stuart's words, the last time he spoke publicly, I would argue, were his most impactful.
26:58Rich Eisen:no question about it but and and having sat in the um the uh rafters of radio city music hall with him prior to espy awards uh after uh jim valvano's passing and we would show video of jim jim's speech that you're referring to here and i hope today's show and what you're doing uh you know later on today or if next time you're on the air if it isn't today you that and that's the beauty of your show that you host um every night when you do it it kind of is like jim valvano's speech and that's what i hope to get out of today's show laugh and cry touch grass you know live like that's living um and so i'm a crier too certainly when it comes to stewart and and i just frequently you know think of him um and and i can't believe that we're talking about him in the same breath as Jim Valvano because of his speech and because we used to talk about it and obviously you know neither of us knew what was going to happen to Stu and and so I do think of him often um for instance the Bears right now like nine and three he'd be going out of his gourd about the Bears being nine and three right now and the one for For sure.
28:16For sure. And I mean, he was a man of many interests. And I always joke with him that I appreciated how he had more width than I did as it related to things that interested him. I was just way more knucklehead sports fan. But he had his lane that obviously Carolina was his most prominently known passion. But, you know, he spent a bunch of time in Chicago. So he would be he'd be bandwagoning. I'd say that to you, Stuart, over in the great bandwagoning because you would have abandoned them over the past, you know, however long it's been. But I mean, what what a story they are. But we can certainly get to that.
28:58But I'm with you on just the ability when I did radio and the TV show that I'm fortunate to do, which takes some of the elements from that. Right. Which allows you the wit to discuss whatever the hell you feel like to bring Sidney on and and do what we did is a great reminder that we what we are so fortunate to do, Rich, is connect to an audience and to people. and that people largely almost, not largely, almost exclusively that we care about each other. You can fool yourself if you live with your face on your phone and social media and think that that's it. That ain't it. That ain't it. The world cares for one another largely.
29:42And moments like this, opportunities like this to give and to think about the people that you love, some of whom we've lost and others who will be in the fight at some point. What is it you can do to try to be helpful? And what we do is try to bang the drum for Stuart in his name and smile as we remember the times we had and weep for the things that we don't get to do anymore.
30:04Rich Eisen:And certainly on this Giving Tuesday, v.org slash Stuart, if you'd like to give to the Stuart Scott Fund at the V Foundation. And again, the principal and the principal foundation are matching all donations up to a million dollars. So v.org slash Stuart in that regard and v.org slash donate overall. Scott Van Pelt here on the Rich Eisen Show on a on a giving Tuesday. And for those listening on ESPN Radio presented by Progressive Insurance, Scott's 100 pound Rhodesian Ridgeback named Red is curled up on a beautiful leather chair. Look at the look at the snow in the background. I'm I'm feeling I'm feeling like a warm fire right now, Scott.
30:44Rich Eisen:I'm not going to lie. Looks very cozy. It is. It's festive. is that i'm gonna do a christmas album at some point uh i i'm kidding but i i threaten the world with that every year because i listen to that you know the holiday songs today hasn't kelsey done that hasn't jason done that hasn't he didn't he do that back what hasn't he done i guess because he he was dressed like he was ready to he was ready for elf too last night you know that's what it looked like you know they did this uh it was this uh irish road bowling it looked like i said Was Guy Ritchie there? I was looking for Rick Turgis. I thought the Pikeys were going to go bare-knuckle boxing.
31:23You've crossed paths with him. His energy is really infectious, and he's pulled a lot of directions because he's got a lot of things in the hopper. But, man, the couple years that we've been lucky to spend with him, he's got incredibly infectious energy and makes us better, and certainly we have fun with him, football and otherwise.
31:44Rich Eisen:Yeah, so I'm going to try and make the turn here. All right, so he was dressed like he was getting ready for Vinny Jones, and we got Marcus Jones throwing the haymakers. There you go. Right? Not bad. Did I just do that? Not bad. Not bad. Thank you. Not bad. I appreciate it. I'm just trying to, you know, bring my A game here. It's called giving on Giving Tuesday. But are the Patriots the best? Who is the best team you've eyeballed this year, Scott? the best team you've seen with your own two Van Pelt orbs are? I like the Rams the best, and I'm picking the worst time to say that because they just lost to the Panthers.
32:23And I think you've made your living covering the NFL, not exclusively, but primarily for decades now. I can't recall a year, Rich, where we were into December where I think you could ask this question and get so many answers that would be different. And so few answers if you ask the question differently, which is who's the team you trust? Because I might like the Rams the best, but I don't know that I trust them after they just lost to Carolina. And I just watched, in order, over the Thanksgiving holiday, in order, I watched Detroit, Kansas City, Baltimore, and Philadelphia, four teams I'm pretty sure good, all lose.
33:07and all but one of them, Kansas City, lost on their home field. And so I don't know who the best team is. I'm probably holding out anointing the Patriots, who were great last night, but their frame of reference with their schedule, they haven't played a great schedule. And then you could counter, but they won at Buffalo and they won at Tampa. And I love Mike Vrabel and Drake Mays, awesome. So they might ultimately prove to be the best team. I just think that to anoint them at this stage, it just feels premature simply because May is only in his second year and we haven't seen him take a snap in the playoffs yet.
33:49So I'm stubbornly hanging on to these teams that I have seen be good in the past, even in the mounting evidence that maybe they're ordinary this year. Maybe they're just kind of pedestrian teams.
34:02Rich Eisen:I don't know, but then you hear echoes, man. Like, for instance, a second-year player ascending one game after another after another in New England at the quarterback spot for a head coach, getting his second time being a head coach and might be better at it this time around, taking on a Rams team in the Super Bowl that they have no chance in, right? I mean, it's kind of, you know, we deal in narratives, you and I, more than X's and O's and all 22's and things like that. And then there's Super Bowl 60 in the same spot where there was Super Bowl 50 when there was a Broncos team that was led by a defense, even though they had a future first ballot Hall of Famer at the quarterback spot.
34:53Rich Eisen:I don't know. There's so many echoes of past that that could be prologue for all of us here. I love that imagery and the past that often comes back in some form or fashion. I would say that as it relates to New England, I made the comment on Countdown last night, all you folks that got so sick of the Patriots being great, you probably didn't enjoy them not being great in that little window where they weren't enough. Because whether they're great or not, they're certainly not garbage. They're clearly really good. I'm a monster believer in Vrabel. I've known him for a long time. I know how he authentically connects to his locker room.
35:31It's a real thing. And the buy-in is clear. I also am a big believer in Peyton. And Sean Peyton said it out loud, Rich. I don't know if you played the sound or heard the sound. He used those words. He said, this is a Super Bowl team. And the one caution I have as it relates to Denver is it's wonderful to win nine in a row. But when you have to come back in every single game at some point and you keep having to win one score games at the at the at the gun, that's a really tough way to do business. And you don't last for too long in the playoffs if that's if those are the margins you're living in.
36:11You know what I'm saying? I you'd like to you'd like to see them win more comfortably. they being Denver. I think you'd like to see them have more games where it's not two or three quarters of being absent and then one miraculous quarter. You'd like to see a little bit more consistent, sort of a slow burn. But man, they're 11-2 and 10-2, you know, they being the Patriots and the Broncos. The Bears are the one seed in the NFC. I don't even, it's the Lombardi line that Boomeroy's used. What the hell is going on here? I mean, that's where we are.
36:41Rich Eisen:And then just to wrap it all up, we're talking about the top, right, the high-rent district here going into week 14. You and I both know that usually there is a team that comes out of the mist, if you will, over the last five, six weeks. And before I let you go, looking at the standings in both conferences here, one by one, Chargers, Colts, Bills, and then here on the Rich Eisen Show, we don't do in the hunt, we just say sniffing it. It is the playoffs, in case you're wondering what's being sniffed. Texans, Steelers, Chiefs. So those are your wild cards, and those are your sniffing. I'll throw the Jaguars in the mix as well as a three seed.
37:21Rich Eisen:In the NFC, you take a look at Seahawks, Packers, Niners, Lions, Cowboys, Panthers. Put your marker on one team wild card sniffing it in either conference that you think could come out of the mist and make a run and win it. Scott Van Pelt. If I'm allowed to take a wild card team in the NFC, I'll say Seattle, just because I think that they're, I mean, the Darnold in a big spot, is that scary? Okay, I get it. What about the Cowboys? They played pretty darn well last three weeks, man. They don't look like that. I told Troy Aikman I thought it was reasonable to put them in the playoff conversation, and Troy said, I don't know if it's reasonable.
38:01And I keep texting him. I'm like, it's getting more reasonable all the time. He goes, no, no, that's a confident team. It feels like a loser-goes-home spot for the Lions and the Cowboys on Thursday. This weekend's massive, just in terms of the head-to-heads. I like them. I like Dak, and that defense is a hell of a lot better. Overshawn is a game-changer, along with getting a trade. That's a different defense than they were when they were giving up 500 yards to everybody. And the AFC, the team that I don't think anyone wants to play, which is such a tired cliché, but I really believe it's true.
38:34who wants to play against Houston's defense right now I say no one no one wants to deal with that group so I mean the Chiefs were on that logo and I can't quit them but they just in the same way I said Denver can't keep winning one score games Kansas City was 10-0 in that lane last year this this year they've lost all of them but one which was the game that came back against the Colts they're oh what I think they're one and six in one score games so uh I can't quit them but I wouldn't pick them. I'd pick Houston to come out of the mist because they've been in the playoffs the last few years and I think Seattle is potentially as good as anybody in the NFC especially when they play to their ceiling.
39:14Rich Eisen:Scott, you're the man. Thanks for the time. Greatly appreciate it. Greatly appreciate you being part of our first ever Giving Tuesday here in the warm Disney embrace and since it is Giving Tuesday give Red a scratch for all of us, will you please, sir? And give my love to your family. Please tell them I say hello and Always a pleasure to be on Rich. Right back at you. The great Scott Van Pelt here on the Rich Eisen Show. Everybody check him out on all the millions of things that he does for ESPN and Disney. And again, v.org slash donate to give. And also specifically for Stu, if you wish, the Stuart Scott Fund at the V Foundation, v.org slash Stuart.
39:57Rich Eisen:and please know that the money you give up to a million bucks collectively gets matched. 844-204-RICH, number to dial. Back to talk Patriots before Jim Kelly joins us. We try to be fair and balanced. Coming up. The Rich Eisen Show, the podcast.
40:20A bandwagon fan. The biggest insult in sports. But this summer, during the FIFA World Cup, It's an invitation, America. Never watched soccer before? Perfect. Think a corner kick is a karate move? Sure, why not? Prefer sports where players can use their hands? Me too. Just here for the snacks? Now we're talking. So grab a bag of Lay's and jump on the bandwagon. We're undefeated.
40:45Rich Eisen:Lay's, the official sponsor of the FIFA World Cup 2026. Rich Eisen here with some advice. If high-interest credit card debt is grinding you down, it might be time to call an audible with a SoFi personal loan. It consolidates your debt into one low monthly payment with no fees required. And with as soon as the same day funding, you can make the right play fast. Call an audible on your debt today at SoFi.com slash debt play. Loans originated by SoFi Bank N.A. Member FDIC. Terms and conditions apply. NMLS 696891. Fast funds terms apply at SoFi.com slash debt play. back here on ESPN radio on this giving Tuesday ESPN radio is presented by progressive insurance keep your career moving forward visit careers.progressive.com so listen when a New York football team has its season fall completely apart and their dynamic young quarterback who comes back from concussion protocol gets blown up you know on a hit that's completely legal and then comes out afterwards and basically says yeah you know like when i'm playing soccer that's the way i played my entire life and then their third overall pick chosen before jackson dart in abdul carter is suspended for a quarter you know benched for a quarter because he's late again second time that's happened and then their replacement place kicker you know stubs his toe and purposefully doesn't swing the leg because the ball's not perfectly enough for him i mean we're gonna lead with that even if there's another team that's just won its 11th game to be the first 11 win team of the season, even when that team is an unexpected first to 11 and is a team that appears to be on the path to being in your face win after win after win after win because they are better coach than you and they have a better quarterback than you and they have a better team mentality than you and they are better situationally than you and their P's and Q's are completely with cross T's and dotted I's in the Patriots.
43:05Rich Eisen:And sure enough, you know, we are at the point where this team is 100 % making the playoffs. The only question is how many home games could they have? And I know that's potentially sacrilegious because there's the Bills just two behind them. But while the Patriots are on a bye week, the Bills have Joe Burrow in their house to try and keep pace and if they lose that game to joe burrow in western new york and i don't need to go too deep here because i've out of respect of jim kelly showing up in about nine minutes time um i'll say it here it's happened then the patriots would have the opportunity as cooper the diehard patriot fan of my household turn to me with a couple minutes to go and says dad because he's good at math.
43:58Rich Eisen:If the Bills lose while we're on a bye and we beat the Bills, we clinch the division, don't we? And I'm like, yeah, you do. You do with a home game. And this team destroying everyone in front of them, including the Bills in win two of their current 10-game win streak. And so that's the question, is how far can they go? And when I saw the Ravens winning five in a row, and certainly before the season, Ravens taking on the Patriots in Week 16 at home, that's entirely a winnable game. And as a matter of fact, the Patriots should win it playing the way that they are, with the quarterback playing the way he is.
44:51Rich Eisen:Drake May looks more healthy and spry than Lamar Jackson. I said those words. you tell me. Use the eye test. It's that simple. Drake May had a passer rating of 126 last night. That's 10 straight games with a passer rating of 80 or more in a win. Last guy and only other guy to do that on planet Earth is named Dan Marino in 1984, and he won the MVP. And that's too better than the aforementioned Lamar Jackson who did it in 2019, and he won the MVP. Is this kid the MVP of the National Football League? Drake may in season two may just be coached by potential coach of the year he's got Ben Johnson on his heels Mike Vrabel and the Giants they have that pass rush last night he was just basically like shrugging it off because he got the run game and he's got the blitz beaters that he that get open Pop Douglas booty Kyle Williams my goodness I didn't even mention digs I just did Hunter Henry They're all killing it.
45:55Rich Eisen:May versus the Blitz last night was 9-12 for 148 yards and two touchdowns and a passer rating of 155.6. It was better if you didn't Blitz him. The kid's barely shaving. It's unbelievable. It's the truth. And then they hit you in the mouth on special teams. This guy, Marcus Jones, is Deion 2.0. He's returning interceptions, and he's returning punts.
46:25Rich Eisen:honestly the thing that was really weird last night is your place kicker actually missed missed missed something he's been great also he's been vinitary 2.0 also a rookie it's you even stop asking if this team's for real the only question is is who's coming into their house and what's going to happen then in the crucible of a winner go home game and if you think the coach and quarterback and offensive coordinator is going to be spooked by it you might have another thing coming for real this is real talk they're on a buy mostly healthy coming back taking on a bills team that should be an underdog in in new england and the same thing maybe with them going to baltimore the week later this is real stuff the rich eisen show podcast.
47:17Rich Eisen:You can't reason with the sun. Trust us. We've tried this summer. It's time to put that angry ball of fire on mute. Columbia's omni-shade technology is engineered to protect you from the sun's harsh rays that can burn and damage your skin. The sun is relentless, but so is our gear. Level up your summer at Columbia.com to spend more time outside and less time slathering on aloe lotion. You're welcome. Columbia, engineered for whatever.
From the publisher
Rich offers up some advice to QB Jaxson Dart who some big (and unnecessary) hits in his return from concussion in the New York Giants MNF loss to the Patriots.
ESPN ‘SportsCenter’ host Scott Van Pelt and Rich share their favorite memories of and discuss the lasting impact of their late colleague Stuart Scott, discuss which is the best team in the NFL right now, and which dark horse teams could make some noise and go on a deep run if they reach the playoffs.
Rich recaps the New England Patriots improving to an NFL-best 11-2 with their Monday Night Football win over the New York Giants.
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