Hour 1: Josh Allen’s Latest Marvel, Lions Takeaways, plus NFL Power Rankings

0:00Hey, I've got some game time tips to share with Frigidaire. When you're hosting during football season, you've got to be ready for every kind of craving. Somebody wants fresh pizza. Somebody wants crispy wings. Somebody's asking if there's sliders. That's when you need more than one call in the playbook. Frigidaire offers ranges and wall ovens with over 15 cooking modes, so you can tackle hosting with confidence. There's stone-baked pizza for restaurant-quality pizza in as little as two minutes, air fry mode for crispy favorites and air sous vide for juicy tender sliders plus there's slow cook no preheat and more stone baked pizza and air fry both built right in your oven that's the game time mvp combo so when you're hosting before kickoff frigidaire helps you cover every craving available at the home depot how doers get more done only when using stone baked pizza mode cook time requires preheat and reheat and may vary based on ingredients this message is brought to you buy apple card with apple card you earn unlimited daily cash back on everyday purchases like groceries merch or tickets to the game plus it can be used anywhere mastercard is accepted no matter your team no matter where you shop apple card is here to help you tackle game day apply in the wallet app on your iphone today subject to credit approval apple card is issued by goldman sachs bank usa salt lake city branch terms and more at applecard.com this is the rich Eisen Show.

1:26Hey, 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 three 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 Rich Eisen Show and you'll never miss a moment. Now, on with the show. He did have an incredibly inflamed appendix. Rich Eisen, a man barely alive. With AI, we can rebuild him. We can make the world's second bionic man. Stronger. We're not sure about faster. The Rich Eisen Show. On today's show, senior writer for the MMQB, Albert Breer.

2:17And now, with inflation, it's the$46 million man, Rich Eisen. Hey there, everybody. Welcome to this edition of the Rich Eisen Show. And not to put too fine a point on it, the stakes are very high. This could wind up being the most consequential show I've ever done. Because if it doesn't go well, if somehow, someway, I'm off, that might mean that the 30 years that I've been a national sportscaster and everything that I've been fortunate enough to accomplish could all be because I had an appendix. And this is my first appendix-less show of my career. Of your life? Of my life. Yeah, so, hey, Disney +, ESPN app, ESPN radio, Sirius XM channel 80.

3:11This is an experiment. The pressure's on. I feel I've got it in me, even though the it is definitely not an appendix, because that thing is out. That's a fact. Hey, Chris, how are you? Hey, man. Great to see you, dude. Welcome back. Who am I and what am I doing here? What am I doing here? I'm looking for that drop.

3:32Rich Eisen:Good to see you, Jay. How are you? Hey, good to see you, Rich. TJ Jefferson, how are you? I got to be honest with you, bro. You losing your appendix was not in the script. It was not in the script. It's the first Omaha of the football season. I tried not to get too far ahead, but I didn't. Well, then. Thank you to Colleen Wolfe for pinch hitting in a pinch, a true pinch hitter. Thanks to Suze for her outstanding reporting from the field while I was under general anesthesia. By the way, I salute general anesthesia. Add attention. Is he five-star? Very much so. good to see everybody out there and thank you to everybody for your well wishes.

4:13I'm back. Welcome back, brother. I'm back. Listen, I chose the Buffalo Bills to win the American Football Conference this year and Josh Allen to be the MVP. And so far, you know, one of the things I like other than just being healthy, not needing emergency surgery, is being right. and so far kind of right because the bills look superb although their defense could use to have the bolts tightened a little bit but they didn't have ed oliver last night no problem because josh allen is not from this planet um when he was first coming to the fore in western new york after being drafted out of Wyoming.

5:05You could just see he had this special ability to take over a game, to dominate, to be 1 ,000 % indefatigable. If you want to look that up, where there's, he's, you can't tire him out. He tires you out. Every single time you think you got him where you can get him, he'll wiggle out of a sack or what he did with Aiden Hutchinson last night, somehow get his right arm free and flip the ball away. He'll run it. He'll throw it. He'll do everything he possibly can. He'll run over you. He'll run through you. He'll pass it. He'll do it every day. He'll do it all. And that's why I called him the Mandalorian quarterback.

5:52Because he will show you this is the way. He's got all sorts of weaponry at his disposal, and he will show you this is the way. Last night in his performance where he opened up the new Highmark Stadium with an opening drive that, of course, if the new head coach Joe Brady could give Allen the ability to score the first touchdown in the new stadium, he was going to do that, and he did. and then Allen followed it up the rushing touchdown with two passing touchdowns. He came up with another rushing touchdown and passing touchdown the rest of the night. His stat line, a mere 248 passing yards, but he had three passing touchdowns, 69 rush yards, two rushing touchdowns.

6:44His nine passes and rushing touchdowns combined with no turnovers this season. He's the third player in history to have that through the team's first two games of a season. The others are named Peyton Manning in 2013 and Patrick Mahomes in 2018. And both of them went on to win the most valuable player. But last night, last night, instead of the Mandalorian with that performance, we found out on the TNF postgame, Richard Sherman let it drop that he,

7:19Rich Eisen:I guess a little birdie told him that that Allen was shivering in a hot tub before the game because he was battling the flu. So Michael Jordan is being thrown around with Josh Allen right now. It's his flu game. And with all due respect, Jordan had his flu game in the NBA finals. We need to see Josh Allen in a Super Bowl, as we all know. And it feels like this could be the year. But in all honesty, and I understand I'm about to make an analogy that might make people wince. I don't care. I don't have an appendix. Yeah, what you got to lose? What do I have to lose? Really, the comparison, I think, for Josh Allen is Joey Otani.

8:06Rich Eisen:Because he's two players in one. When Otani's healthy enough to pitch. He's the Otani of football. where he's just so physically gifted and nobody else looks like him. Others can play like him. Listen, Lamar Jackson's got two MVPs. Sure does. Lamar Jackson can run it and throw it as well. But Josh Allen's numbers are remarkable because he is a running back who's also your quarterback or he's your quarterback who's also a running back. This is nuts, guys. And this all comes off of the Thursday night game for sure. He now, in his career, has 83 rushing touchdowns. That's tied with Jim Taylor for 18th most in NFL history.

9:10Rich Eisen:Last year, Josh had 14 rushing touchdowns. He currently has four. Let's just give him the same number of rushing touchdowns this year as last. Correct? Sure. Let's just do that for the sake of this conversation. No reason to think otherwise. Right? That would give him 93 in his career, which would leave him 12th all-time, too clear of Jerome Bettis and Franco Harris. they're both in the hall. That would leave him six behind Barry Sanders, seven behind Marshall Falk. And if you really want to go crazy, won't do it this year, but Joss is really in his prime right now. That would leave him 13 rushing touchdowns behind Jim Brown.

10:02Rich Eisen:What we are seeing is a unicorn. It really is. Again, when I say this, I do not mean to denigrate any other rushing, throwing quarterbacks. I'm not denigrating Lamar or Jalen Hurts has been to two Super Bowls. He's won one. His best games were in those Super Bowls where he could have been the MVP of the one that he lost. So Josh has more work to do. But what we're seeing is nuts. It's unstoppable. The Lions were just like, kind of like Rocky, like throw the damn towel. it felt over now there were a couple times where the back door was open i don't just mean gambling which it was for a bit but yeah the lions have come out the gate man now one and one and just licking their wounds and the bills sent them back to detroit in a fetal position with a first team to record 35 points in 400 yards of offense in each of their first two games of a season since the 2020 Packers.

11:12And it helps offset the fact that they're the third team in NFL history to start the season 2-0 despite allowing 30 points in both games, joining the 2000 Rams and 1991 Bills.

11:28So, Dan Campbell and the Lions, we'll talk about them in a moment, but the Bills are clearly the team right now that is setting a standard. We'll see what the Ravens do, how they follow up their win over the Colts in Indianapolis, where they kind of BTA'd them. And they're coming home to take on the Saints, who damn near pulled off the win against the Lions, who could very well be 0-2 right now.

11:58and um josh allen was just making sure that everyone in this stadium won't forget that first night whether it was the key to the stadium that the bills in a very classy manner i don't know if anybody saw that they left a key for everyone right yeah and and what looked like a coin on everybody's seat.

12:23Rich Eisen:I didn't see that. Yeah, and a note saying this is your stadium, Buffalo. That's cool. And then the Canadian and American National Anthems, beautiful moment. And these fans will never forget it because Josh Allen and the Bills put on a show. And as if this man can't get any better, it looks like he has had this to say afterwards. Yeah, I think at the National Anthem, I'm, you know, caught myself like taking it all in and understanding how cool of my what I get to do you know my job is the coolest thing in the world it's everything that I've ever wanted to be the quarterback of of an NFL franchise and I'm just very fortunate that I ended up here in in Buffalo and got to you know be the first quarterback to open this uh this stadium which is a you know it's a special spot yeah it sure is man back-to-back games with multiple passing and rushing touchdowns for the second time in his career.

13:21Do you know how many other players have done that at least once? Zero. No other player in NFL history has done it even once. He's now done it twice.

13:35And then, you know, the only issue is James Cook is reaching for the pylon because he knows he might not, his quarterback's vulturing him. Joe Brady, after the game, said he told James Cook, stop doing that. I will get you one. I don't blame him. It was important for me to get Jimbo in there. I told him, just don't reach. I'll give him another opportunity. I didn't like how he finished the play before. But he's running hard. There was one drive where I felt like it was an incredible drive for us, running the same play over and over and over, and he kind of got us all the way down the field. I think it was the third quarter.

14:12Might have been the second. It's all blending together right now. But Jimbo's in a great place, and I wanted him to get in the end zone. And I told him, I said, look, man, don't reach, and I'll get you in the next play. But, like, let's not – that's a smoke detector right there. But he's been really good these first two weeks, minus the, you know, putting the ball on the ground last week. He's the first coach in Bill's history to start his tenure 2-0. According to Elias, 77 points through the first two career games. The head coach, fourth most in the Super Bowl era. Mike Martz, 78 in 2000. Dan Campbell in 2015.

14:48I guess that's when he was in interim, right? In 82. And then, this is nuts, Bud Carson. Talking in the 70s. Yeah, well, Bud Carson back in 1989. But all good in the hood. We're waiting. Albert Brewer will join us in hour or two to see what's going on with DJ Moore. um they the first initial uh made it look pretty damn bad but apparently he he might even be able to play their next game which is another home date against the chargers and then the patriots come in their next three are in the new high mark in a row before they visit the rams on monday night oh baby that week five they visit vegas and then a bye and then that game against baltimore because right now those are the two teams in the AFC that looked the best in week one.

15:43You want to add a third. There he is in week 12. Mahomes again is on their schedule. That's Thanksgiving night in the new high mark. You got the Bears at home as well on a Saturday before Christmas where they're in Denver. The schedule's just going to be filled with must-see games to watch Josh Allen against these teams, and it'll challenge them. But James Cook, 135 rushing yards and that touchdown. Dalton Kincaid is killing it. First Bills player with 200 receiving yards through the first two games of a season since Stephon Diggs four years ago. All working. Check the box. The Otani of the NFL.

16:33That's what I was thinking. Two positions in one. You need a running back?

16:38Rich Eisen:You need a quarterback? There's one guy who can do both. Because with all due respect to everybody else who runs it, I don't know if they can throw it like Josh. And I know that sounds like I'm denigrating Lamar, but Lamar doesn't run it nearly as many times as Josh does now. Maybe the new OC will just say, screw it. that would be a pretty good idea. Which is funny because all the Lamar detractors always think of him as strictly a running quarterback. Well, he's not, right? We know that. Yeah, he threw for 40 touchdowns. Right. Well, you guys don't distract me. It's just, though, that, you know, maybe because Lamar has Derrick Henry.

17:19Rich Eisen:Hey, listen, James Cook led the league in rushing last year. I'm glad you said that because all last night I was thinking, we always talk about who were the best running backs. You always get Gibbs and Robinson and Saquon and everything. Nobody says Big Jim Cook, man. And it's like 3 ,752 yards and 30 touchdowns the last three seasons. He doesn't get the respect that he deserves. And it's because, you know, he's got this guy behind him, in front of him, who's so amazing. Think about it. If he has the same rushing touchdown year this year as he had last year, he will be in the top 12 all-time of rushing touchdowns.

17:56Rich Eisen:And he'll be one year away of having triple digits on that front. and he's going to pass some serious rushers while he also has now 30 ,000 career yards and 225 career passing touchdowns on top of it. That's why I'm going Otani. I see what you're saying. Josh Allen was playing so good just to lose in the AFC Championship game this year. No, I know what you're saying, and again, that's where he's at, though, right? That's where it's at. He's so good. This is where it's at. We've got to get there, man. We've got to get to the big one. None of this other stuff is surprising. This is what that's all that's missing.

18:32Rich Eisen:That's a cool man. But this is all that's missing. Yeah. This is all that's missing. And Bill's fans know it. They feel it. But they got a new stadium. That defense. Right. Like they're not great. But collectively, they can make some plays when they need to. You're giving up 31 a game. Doesn't matter, I guess. But is it going to be one of those last night? Last night it was for everyone. Last night it was just a garbage touchdown at the end. So they give up 24 games. I hear you. It's not great. But you lose Oliver, right? Like pregame warmups. Like what? Yeah. But who would you rather be? Would you rather be the team after two weeks averaging 31 points scored per game or giving up 31 per game?

19:11Because I'd kind of rather be the averaging 31 per game.

19:14Rich Eisen:I want to put points on the board. That's the way you win games. You know, Warren Sapp always told us the notion of defense wins championships is over. That was 70s. 70s that was nfl film spiral lin swan making a catch era stuff defense gives you a chance offense wins your championships it's what you would always tell us 99 in your program number one in your heart what a great start to the season for uh for the buffalo bills not so much for the lines who we'll talk about shortly uh but i was gonna do my power rankings on wednesday if it It wasn't for that pesky emergency appendectomy. So I'm going to give it to you coming up next, because I know you guys want my power rankings way more than I want to deliver.

20:04Did you see ours? Ours were pretty good this week.

20:06Rich Eisen:You know, they were good. I saw people were consuming it, but it's my first time I'm giving a power rankings on a Friday, which means I have one team that's already a leg up. It is what they say as it is. I think that was an excellent first segment. I'm feeling confident in my ability to keep broadcasting without an appendix. 844-204-RICH, number to dial. Let's have a chat as well here on this Friday edition. Week two, The Rich Eisen Show.

21:19Rich Eisen:We'll see you next time. free at linkedin.com slash Eisen. Terms and conditions apply. Did you know every 36 minutes a child in the U.S. is diagnosed with cancer, which means some of the bravest warriors you'll ever meet aren't professional athletes or superheroes. They're the kids in this fight. That's why I'm proud to support Hyundai Hope on Wheels. For the past 28 years, with support from Hyundai, their dealers, and every new Hyundai sold, Hope on Wheels has contributed over$300 million to childhood cancer research, helping save more than 40 ,000 kids. Join our fight at hyundaiwarriors.com.

21:54Rich Eisen:Rich Eisen here for gusto. After all these years talking to athletes, coaches, entertainers, and people at the top of what they do, one thing is pretty clear. Success usually depends on getting the details right. For small business owners, that includes payroll, hiring, onboarding, benefits, you know, the work that keeps everything moving, even if it's not the reason you started the business in the first place. That's why there's Gusto. Gusto is online payroll and benefit software built for small businesses. It's all-in-one, remote-friendly, and incredibly easy to use. So you can pay, hire, onboard, and support your team from anywhere.

22:29Rich Eisen:Automatic payroll tax filing, simple direct deposits, health benefits, commuter benefits, workers' comp, 401k, you name it. Gusto makes it simple and has options for nearly every budget. and it's all built to save you time with built-in automated tools for offer letters, onboarding docs, direct deposit, and more. Plus, you get unlimited payroll runs for one monthly price. No hidden fees, no surprises. Try Gusto today at gusto.com slash rich and get three months free when you run your first payroll. That's three months of free payroll at gusto.com slash rich. One more time, gusto.com slash rich.

23:34Rich Eisen:The Rich Eisen Show Podcast. and show here on Disney Plus, the ESPN app, our ESPN radio audience has returned. Hi, right the first time with LinkedIn Hiring Pro. Get started by posting a free job at LinkedIn.com slash Eisen. All right, let's go to the phone lines. Why not? Let's go to Carl in Antioch, Illinois. What's going on, Carl? Line two, Jay. You there, Carl? I'm here. How are you doing? I'm doing great. What's going on in Antioch? Oh, it's a lot of cows, horses, and empty roads. Fantastic. I'm a little ticked off at Bears fans, and especially the media, with using the Bears' possibilities of having such a great season.

24:24This first game is very equivalent to me of my childhood, and one Tuffy Rhodes, who had three home runs in the first game of the season. Tuffy Rhodes. And it was on pace to hit a 486 home runs. Now, I think we all know that even if you hit 15 home runs in a month, that's 90 home runs, and that's not realistic. I have no idea if the Panthers have a bad defense. We won't really find that out. And it takes me back to the 2001 season when we had a 13-3 record, had the No. 2 seed, but we lost to the defending champion Ravens and the Packers twice, and we had two miracle wins against the 49ers and the Browns.

24:57And we were an 11-win team that had 13 wins, and we got our butts kicked against the Eagles because we weren't prepared to play a playoff-caliber team. So what's your point, Carl? Are you saying people are overlooking the Bears? I think this team, the way they're set up is we're going to beat up on the bad teams and lose to the good teams. I don't know about that, pal. We're going to be a high-win team that's going to lose in the first couple games for the next two or three years because we're lopsided on how we draft and we're weighing too many toys for Ben in the toy chest that he only plays with for a week and we don't have enough money going to the stove and the kitchen and the patio and the defense is very weak and we need players with our fingers crossed to come in right away in the next two, three years and perform.

25:36And we turn into the Bengals and the Cowboys, and it's not going to sustain long-term winning to the Super Bowl. We're just going to be a great, you know, long regular season team. And the playoffs, we're not going to be – our offense is not going to stand up to playoff caliber. I don't know about that, Carl. Carl, let me just say this to you, man. You sound like a diehard Bears fan. You've been through the wars. You're mentioning Tuffy Rhodes to me. I mean, you've been around. Doesn't this look different to you? Like, how many times have you been waiting for a quarterback? How many times have you been waiting for your quarterback to be a difference maker and somebody who can take over a game?

26:15And it's not – last year was just sometimes pull a rabbit out of a hat type of magic, and defensively you came up with turnovers to cover some warts. I understand that. But what you got, Carl, is a terrific running offense. We're all talking about Caleb and, you know, throwing this, throwing that. The running offense with Swift and Monongah is top-notch, and that can get you through the cold of January. And we'll find out, and thanks for the call, we'll find out who the monsters can be in the midway at some point. But just enjoy what you got, which, by the way, is a coach who is just 1 ,000 % the man, it feels.

27:01And the narrative in Detroit now is that Ben Johnson was the secret sauce. It wasn't Dan Campbell, which I'm sure would rankle Dan Campbell and is definitely disrespectful to Dan Campbell, but also just saying, you know, look, just ask anyone in Detroit, you want Ben Johnson back and you've got him. He didn't go to Vegas. He didn't tell Tom Brady, I'll take your job. he's like I'll go to Chicago where it's tough to have a high flying offense but I'll also play a game in Minnesota every year I'll play a game in Detroit every year you know and then we'll welcome the Packers down the toll road and go up to the toll road and we'll beat their asses and take our shirts