Hour 1: Steelers-Dolphins Takeaways, plus FOX Sports’ Mark Schlereth

0:01Rich Eisen:This episode is brought to you by Google Chrome. You think you know a browser, but Gemini and Chrome? That's new. It can help you with practically anything on the web, like restoring a vintage motorcycle from a 50-page restoration block, or finally break down that long article you've had open for weeks. Gemini and Chrome is here for it. Ready to make anything online make sense? There's no place like Chrome. Check responses set up required. Compatibility and availability varies 18+. This Father's Day, do more with Dad and spend less with low prices guaranteed at The Home Depot. Get him fired up with a new grill and accessories, like the Nexgrill 5 burner for just$299 so you can spend more time together while he becomes the grill master he was always meant to be.

0:43Rich Eisen:Or build memories with savings on top brand power tools so you can tackle projects side by side. Gift more and do more together this Father's Day with help from The Home Depot. Exclusions apply. See homedepot.com slash price match for details. 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 Rich Eisen Show and you'll never miss a moment.

1:22Rich Eisen:Now, on with the show. Good Lord, do I love being right around here. This is the Rich Eisen Show. Touchdown, A.J. Brown! Live from the Rich Eisen Show studio in Los Angeles. Relax. And that's what the Eagles did. The pieces are still there. Today's guests. Fox Sports NFL analyst Mark Schlereth. Comedian Frank Caliendo. Comedian Charlie Behrens. And now, it's Rich Eisen. Oh, baby, what a fun show. we have in store for you today here on Disney Plus, the ESPN app and ESPN radio presented by Progressive Insurance. Hello, Sirius XM channel 80 audience. We love being on the ESPN radio channel on satellite as well.

2:12Rich Eisen:We say hello to your podcast folk out there who listen to this show, whatever you want, all three hours taking in our podcast. If you're a subscriber, thank you. Same thing on our YouTube channel, youtube.com slash rich eyes and show. Nobody makes me laugh harder when he comes on this show than Frank Caliendo, and he's back in hour number two. Charlie Burns, a comedian that we have not had on. He's a Packer fan. We'll, I guess, let the umbrella be his smile after last week's loss against the Denver Broncos. He's here in studio in hour number three. Mark Schlereth to talk about everything we just witnessed in week 15.

2:47Rich Eisen:He is calling Bucs and Panthers on Fox later this weekend, One of the big Week 16 games that does kick off on Thursday night on Prime Video with the Rams and the Seahawks. Rubbers beginning to meet the road as the Packers are also playing the Bears this weekend. A lot to talk about with you at 844-204-RICH is always the number to dial to have a chat with us on this Overreaction Monday on a Tuesday program. The Overreaction Monday podcast is still out there for everybody to take in wherever you get your podcasts or certainly on our YouTube channel. youtube.com slash rich eyes and show all the business of this show is handled good to see you over there christopher brockman rich good morning mike ed is in these nuts mike del tuffo is here tj jefferson long enough time with me giving my spiel to start the program for you to light the candle good to see you sir what up though what up yeah yeah detroit's got a big game uh or two or three over the final uh few weeks of this season i've got playoff clinching scenarios in my right hand we'll get to all of that the nfl uh front office folks who are in charge of figuring out what needs to happen for people to clinch or maybe be eliminated that's all done we'll hit that on this program 844-204-RICH as you know is always the number to dial if i'm going to tell the eastern part of pennsylvania football fans to relax and i've been doing that to philadelphia eagles fans for weeks now um i guess i should turn attention to the team that's in the western side of the state that actually employs the quarterback who employed that phrase for Packers fans back in the day and Aaron Rodgers who told fans to R-E-L-A-X and he was asked that question a couple of weeks ago when the Steelers were getting pounded by the Chargers on a Sunday night back in let me get this correct week 10 then we saw what happened against Chicago when Rodgers couldn't answer the bell in a game that you know he wanted to answer the bell with his left hand, left wrist having a fracture in it.

4:50Rich Eisen:Then we saw what happened against the Buffalo Bills. Joey Bosa making him look like he had just come from Kevin's house and home alone. Like that's what was going down and Rogers was saying, I don't need to tell him to relax. We're good. And then they go into Baltimore and beat the Ravens. And then they follow that one up with again win last night on Monday Night Football to wrap up week 15 against the Miami Dolphins and eliminate the Miami Dolphins who had won four games in a row from playoff competition. The Dolphins are now out. And the Steelers are now one game above the Ravens entering the final three games of this season.

5:36Rich Eisen:And that's if I'm saying to the Eagles fans, A, all you need to do is win your division and get a home playoff game and see what happens. I'll say the same thing to Steelers fans now. And I know they might not be sitting here saying, I'm less confident than you, Rich. You're always caping for Tomlin. We've seen this movie before. They're looking at the Broncos who are above them in the standings and are on a tear since week four, as opposed to being on a tear since saying losing in week 14. or winning, I guess, in week 14 at Baltimore. You know, you'd rather be on a tear since week four than week 14.

6:21Rich Eisen:But again, you've got to catch fire at the right time. Once upon a time, Big Ben went from a six seed to a Super Bowl winner. And what you could see out of Rodgers, in the same way that, you know, Shane Steichen said, hey, this 44-year-old Phillip Rivers didn't forget how to throw the football, Nor has this 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers. The ball still flies out of his hands, man. And certainly in the cold, which is what you need. Certainly in a way that it didn't with Tua. Tua's interception last night, as soon as it left his hand, Cooper turned to me and said, that's intercepted. A 14-year-old sitting on his Los Angeles couch was saying, that's going to be intercepted.

7:01Rich Eisen:Rodgers is just not. Last night, Aaron Rodgers threw two touchdown passes in a game again this year. He missed on only four of his 27 throws for 224 yards, a passer rating just south of 130. Man. And it was career game 166 with two or more passing touchdowns. That's good for third all-time now, broke a tie with Peyton Manning. he is seven games behind Drew Brees. I don't want to even do the math because he's that far behind. Tom Brady's the only one above 200 such games. 204 for Tom.

7:46Rich Eisen:And you just get a little bit of running here from Jalen Warren and get a little bit of running here from Kenneth Gainwell. Yeah, DK's picking it up. And that's what you need. And throw it to your wagon of a tight end. Man, Darnell Washington gets the football in his hands, and I sit up and I'm like, let's watch the act come in. Let's see this guy just truck people. How come they don't run the tush push with him? I know they're doing it with Haywards. I'll answer what a brother, right? Cooper said the same thing to me. And I said, because I think Connor Hayward is closer to the ground to get the snap.

8:21Rich Eisen:Okay. Taking the snaps is not easy, right? No. When you're 6 '9", or whatever. And it's not as if Washington's not used in that formation. You can use him to push. You know, because I will never forget Darnell Washington at the combine. He picked up Fred the sled, which is what Daniel Jeremiah refers to, that sled. He used it like a Tonka truck toy. So you're using him to push. It's not a bad idea. And then, of course, Rogers stands back there with his hands in his pockets. He's doing Leo. He's doing Rip Dalton. There it is, first down. Remember when Jay Cutler would go out to that wide receiver and he would just stand there?

8:59Rich Eisen:That's pretty much what Rogers is doing. I have nothing to do here except, you know. I have nothing to add. Yeah, Aikman had some fun with that one last night. Guys, at one point, though, they're going to snap him the ball because everyone's just thinking he's standing. There's going to be a trick play with that. So you are what you are, which is a first-place team having won two in a row. And by the way, winning without TJ Watt is not what the Steelers normally do. It's only their second win in 13 games with TJ Watt out due to injury. They're now 2-11. since 2017, including the playoffs without TJ Watt.

9:34Rich Eisen:So it's all working for the Steelers right now, who are one in front of the Ravens, already having one in their back pocket with three to go. And Mike Tomlin was asked about winning back-to-back games for the first time in some time, and his answer is classic. I know you're always talking about stacking wins, but that was your first back-to-back since October. It's that time of year. It doesn't need to be said. The importance of playing well in December. Do you feel like your team's getting there? You know, see you next week. Keep watching. Straight out of time. Let's talk about the defense, Mike.

10:10Rich Eisen:What did you think about that defense that won without T.J. Watt for only the second time in 13 tries? We were at less than full strength, but everybody is. You know, and we embrace that component of it. We believe in the strength of the pack, and a lot of guys stepped up certainly and made that a truism. Made that a truism. You know, it's also a truism is that Rodgers is throwing and playing with a bunch of guys that he's he has thrown to before in Marquez Valdez Scantling and others who are just joining the crew in recent days like Thielen. And yes, I think was signed yesterday morning and he scored a touchdown.

10:52Rich Eisen:and Rodgers talked about that group and he's kind of using it as a rallying cry now about how they're coming together as a team when it matters the most. That's kind of what I said after the game. There's some cast-offs if you look at our roster, which makes it really special. You know, Kenny Gainwell signed a next-to-nothing contract. You know, Connor Hayward, an afterthought, had a touchdown run. you know Marquez been on a couple teams Adam Thielen got cut Samuel was on the street for a long time so says a lot about the character of the guys we brought in do you consider yourself one of those cast offs too no I'm not a cast off great follow up by the way that is a really good follow up great follow up I like his answer yeah I'm not I'm a first ballot Hall of Famer I'm not a cast off well I mean he well no no listen the Jets definitely cast him off cast him off yeah And I thought that's where he was going.

11:51Rich Eisen:A great follow-up. I would have asked the same thing. Are you considering Yusuf Fandam? I'm a first ballot in the Hall of Famer. The cast-offs are the ones who are playing for the Jets and the Giants right now. Not me. No. He is playing. I understand the matter. Say that again? Al Lazar just got released by the Jets. I wonder if. Guess what? Here, coach. If he's going to be in Pittsburgh. I mean, people talk about them making moves, right? These aren't like sexy moves that they're making, but these are veteran receivers, man, who know how to ball. I know Bills fans will be like, why aren't we in the mix?

12:25Rich Eisen:They did get Brandon Cooks. We're waiting to see if he's going to, right now, at least they got a cook who's cooking. Rodgers also had this to say about, you know, the offense and moving forward here. How much do we expect from this offense? You guys can expect whatever the hell you want. We haven't been the most dynamic, explosive offense this season, but I feel like we've been good in the red zone. I don't know where we're at league-wide, but we've got to be in the upper half at minimum, I would assume. And we've had stretches where we've played good football. I think tonight was the first time we had complementary football in all three phases, and that's the standard.

13:10So we're going to try and meet that next week in Detroit,

13:14Rich Eisen:or this week in Detroit. Can confirm for Rodgers. The Steelers are currently, where are we right here? It looks like they're tied for third in red zone offense.

13:32So, and then Detroit.

13:34Rich Eisen:Oh, baby. Rodgers, one last shot at the NFC North in Detroit, where he reigns Hail Marys on that franchise, as you know. That's going to be an awesome Week 16 game. Absolutely monumental for the Lions having a chance to move forward. And the Steelers now, according to NextGenStats, have a 61 % chance to make the playoffs. Oh, by the way, if Rodgers wins in Detroit and the Steelers win this game, hey, Steeler fans, guess what you get to say? We just clinched a winning record. Once again. Get to say that. Yeah, I don't think so. But right back where they've always been. We're not going to apologize for winning.

14:17Rich Eisen:9 and 8. But you know what? This offense isn't sexy, right? It's not. It's not. I believe I saw Matthew Berry called the fantasy results of last night's offense from the Steelers, an Arthur Smith fantasy special. Because I've got a did you know. Mike, hit it, please. Hey. Both Conor Hayward and Jonu Smith scored a rushing touchdown in week 15. Did you know it's the first time in NFL history two different tight ends scored a rushing touchdown in the same game. I mean, it's never happened before. last night. If that doesn't reek of Arthur Smith, I don't know what does. I felt like we were watching history last night.

15:09Rich Eisen:Didn't know we actually were, but that's what it felt like. That's it. It felt historical. Mike Tommen. That's what you felt? I felt other things. Mike Tommen has not lost a home game on Monday Night Football. That's now 23 straight Monday Night Football wins to the Steelers at home. Chuck Gould was the last time the Steelers lost a Monday Night Home Game. Tommen's 12-0 in home games on Monday Night Football. They don't have one the rest of the way. But the rest of the way, they do have, according to NextGenStats, the ninth easiest remaining strength of schedule. They're at Detroit, they're at Cleveland, and home for Baltimore.

15:41Rich Eisen:Steelers look like they're, well, let's put it this way, they're certainly in line to win, outwin enough, and they will win the AFC North and probably be the four seed and host a playoff game against whoever's the five seed, Chargers, Bills, Texans are your candidates at present right now. So there's that. This is dope. It sure is. I don't know what's happening. Rodgers in a home playoff game again in the cold this time for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Sign me up. Expect whatever the hell you want as he basically just said. So there's all of that. We'll talk about the Dolphins ends of things on this program as we move along on this overreaction Monday on a Tuesday.

16:32Rich Eisen:We've got the playoff clinching scenarios. And we've got Mark Schlereth coming up next right here on the Rich Eisen Show. He's calling Bucs and Panthers. We haven't spoken to him in a couple weeks. We have three weeks in the NFL season to go. And by the way, before we go to break, I'll say these words I've never said before. Mazel tov to Sean McVay. He's got a bouncing baby boy. Two of them now. Well done. Christian McVay, congratulations to the McVay family. That's what he's got going on. Love it. There we go. Delivered. Rams transactions. Well done. Delivered. Christian Alexander McVay. And that's all he's got to do is welcome in a second child.

17:17Rich Eisen:Veronica delivering. And McVay having a game plan for the Seattle Seahawks in a short week. Is that what we got? new fatherhood what else is going on in the house huh I mean I don't know can Puka be a doula Puka Nadula what do you think you like Puka Nadula I just came up with that Puka Nadula I mean the guy can do everything he can one thing you know he's not going to do is drop the child he'll hold on to that child in traffic even if he gets run over by the dog oh my goodness gracious so congratulations to the McVay family two small kids and he's just got to get 53 men potentially Devontae Adams which Sean McVay when he said today that Adams felt his hamstring on Sunday you could see that but not ruling him out for Thursday which is a great way for Seattle even if you give Seattle one extra second of game planning for 17 seems irresponsible to play Devontae But we'll say I don't think you're going to see him until the playoffs.

18:27Rich Eisen:How about that? I like that. I like that. I don't mean about old Dr. Jones. Yeah, I like that. You know, let's just, I'll put it this way. What's more likely, that we see Puka Nadula or we see Devontae Adams playing on Thursday night? Puka Nadula. Okay, very good. Who's the loyal on the Rams? My rubber glove is going to make sure every one of you are safe. I don't know. Who'd be the Rams loyal? Havenstein? I don't know. I don't know. I have no idea. Land man. Land man. Land man. Okay. Deep into the shag. We got to take a break. They're playing the music. To play us out. Play us out. We're going to do more clarifying.

19:08Rich Eisen:Do a lot. The Rich Eisen Show Podcast.

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19:53Rich Eisen: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. 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.

20:26Rich Eisen: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. 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. Oh, oh, oh, O 'Reilly.

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21:35Rich Eisen:Mark Schlereth, NFL on Fox analyst here. And we were just talking in the television only segment about how you have to have quarterbacks in this league who can dissect a defense pre-snap. Neck up is more important, maybe even the neck down ability. And I'm assuming that's why Phillip Rivers can come off the couch at age 44 and almost win a football game, right, Mark? Dude, how crazy is that? And what statement does that make about the NFL? The NFL in general right now, I was talking to a defensive coordinator here recently two weeks ago, the current coordinator in the league, He said, never has there been a time in the NFL where there's more arm talent and less quarterbacks.

22:17And I was like, wow, that's really good. Because it's true. And it's not college's job. I understand it's not the college's job to develop quarterbacks for the NFL. They're playing the style with which they play. But, man, I'm telling you what. It says a lot when there's not one guy on somebody else's practice squad, not one guy in your own practice squad or your backup that you feel like gives you a better chance to win than 44-year-old Phillip Rivers. And, you know, I mean, he shot, but he did give me vibes of the hefty lefty Jared Lorenzen, God rest his soul. But, you know, he came out there competitive.

22:57They did a great job from a game planning standpoint of getting the ball out of his hands quickly. Lots of screens, a lot of quick game, you know, just moving the ball. You know, that classic Philip Rivers shot put style. But he gave them a chance at the end of that game where they kick what was a 60-yard field goal from Groupie to go ahead in that game. And, you know, Seattle drives it back down. And Matt, I'm sorry, Sam Darnold does a great job finding Rashid Shahid and creating a couple of big throws to end that game with a 55-yard field goal. But just an amazing game, an amazing accomplishment.

23:38And I loved what Phillip had to say because I just believe in this. Fear sets so many of us back. Fear keeps us from doing things that we want to do just because we're afraid of the outcome. And Phillip said, yeah, the easy decision would be to sit home. The easy decision would not be to do it. But I'm not going to let fear kind of capture me. I'm going to go ahead and face that, you know, stare that fear down and go out there and give it my best. And I just said there's a very valuable lesson that that Philip Rivers kind of taught us all in that moment. And I really appreciate what he said. And I really appreciate him, you know, putting it on the line and going out there and playing.

24:14Rich Eisen:Me, too, brother. Go for it. Dadgummit. You know what I mean? Like that is a message that he said he wanted to deliver to the kids that he's coaching to boys and girls all over America, if not the world. Dadgummit, just go for it. And now he's going to take on the 49ers. I mean, so many big games. You're calling one with the Panthers and the Bucs playing each other for the first of two times in the next three weeks to finish up the season. We'll talk about that in a moment. I've got Mark Schlereth here on the Rich Eisen Show. Packers and Broncos viewed as a measuring stick game for both teams.

24:48Rich Eisen:Now that we can observe the measuring stick and see where the viscosity landed, what do you got for me on the Broncos off of that game, reading the measuring stick, Mark? You know, interestingly enough, Rich, if you go through the Broncos season, they really offensively, they led the league in three and outs. They were second in the league in three and outs going into the last weekend. But most of the season, they led the league in three and outs. They really had only put together a few quarters of really good offensive football. And they happened to be in the fourth quarter coming back from the Giants, come back against the Philadelphia Eagles.

25:25They had one really good game against the Cowboys where they really orchestrated. But these last three or four weeks, man, they've been the picture of efficiency against the Raiders a couple weeks ago. They had two 14-play drives, one 19-play drive that lasts over 10 minutes. And then the one kind of criticism, well, Bo hasn't really been accurate down the football field. Well, now you couple that last week against a Green Bay defense that's really good, where not only were they able to possess the ball, be able to score in the red zone, but Bo made some big throws. That fourth down and three to Cortland Sutton down the sideline was a big-time throw.

26:02He's really, really started to play well. Less frenetic in the pocket, really good about escaping, still getting the ball down the football field. The Broncos all of a sudden have become a complete football team in the last couple of weeks where this offense is starting to match what that defense did early in the season, keeping them in games. And they're a dangerous football team in the AFC right now.