In short
Week 15 NFL recap and playoff positioning, with focus on Eagles’ dominant bounce-back vs the Raiders (31-0), Cowboys’ outlook after Micah Parsons’ torn ACL, Packers’ injury impact and remaining schedule, plus Bears’ surge and Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy’s resurgence; also discusses Chargers’ playoff path and AFC race.
Guests/backgrounds
No named guests appear in this transcript. Callers include Drew (Vikings fan in Chicago) and Chris (Chargers fan in Riverside, CA).
Key claims
Eagles “get right” after a rough stretch; Jalen Hurts’ efficiency (3+ TD, 3 or fewer incompletions) and Philly’s shutout dominance. Cowboys’ future hinges on coaching/offense improvements, but Parsons’ ACL loss hurts defense. Packers’ takeaway: with no giveaways they’re 9-1-1; without Parsons they must generate pass rush. Bears are “ready for anything,” with Caleb Williams’ growth and a 28-point win as proof.
Notable examples
Eagles shutout since 2018; Packers’ 83 QB pressures by Parsons; Bears’ 31-3 over Browns; Vikings’ gritty/naked-boot TD; Chargers’ Herbert despite broken hand; Chargers’ path depends on Broncos/Jaguars results.
Written by AI. May contain mistakes. Listen to the episode to check what was said.
Chapters
Tap a time to open that second in VOEagles' Performance Recap
2:42 to 4:14
Discussion of the Eagles' recent games and fan reactions.
“talking about the Chiefs being eliminated, the Broncos in line for that one seed.”
Eagles Shutout and Historical Stats
4:15 to 6:40
Analyzing the Eagles' shutout win and its historical significance.
“And every single time, every moment, I came here and I told the Eagles fan base directly to their face, sometimes even did what I just did, take off my glasses to address.”
The Impact of the Raiders Game
6:41 to 7:55
Insights on how the Eagles' win against the Raiders affects their season.
“We can't win a game other than the Raiders.”
Jalen Hurts' Performance Spotlight
7:56 to 9:30
Highlighting Jalen Hurts' impressive performance and his mindset.
“I told you, that game against the Bills in week 17 is going to be about a measuring stick.”
Cowboys Season Outlook and Draft Prospects
9:31 to 11:30
Evaluating the Cowboys' prospects and future draft needs.
“He became the first quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl era to have three or more touchdown passes in a game and three or fewer incomplete passes in that single game.”
Coaching and Team Development
11:31 to 14:00
Discussion about coaching strategies and team improvements for the Cowboys.
“You working the faders for that one, Mike?”
Analyzing the Cowboys' Future
14:00 to 21:50
Discussion on the Dallas Cowboys' performance and coaching prospects.
“And he's not a guy that's just, you know, whatever you say, Mr.”
Drew Calls In: Vikings Resurgence
21:50 to 23:26
Listener Drew shares excitement about the Vikings and J.J. McCarthy's performance.
“the news is back from the old MRI machine in Wisconsin that's next this is the Rich Eisen show The Rich Eisen Show Podcast and engineered EVs with ultra-fast charging capability.”
Micah Parsons Injury Fallout
23:26 to 27:20
Discussion of Micah Parsons' ACL injury and its implications for the Packers.
“Michael Parsons leads the NFL with 83 quarterback pressures.”
Pat Surtain's Frustration and Impact
28:00 to 29:19
Discussion on Pat Surtain's performance and frustrations in the NFL.
“He feels like some of the games, because they don't target him, they don't throw at him purposefully, he feels like he said he's running track instead of playing football.”
Show all 18 chapters
Analyzing the Packers and Bears Rivalry
29:20 to 31:35
Breakdown of the Packers and Bears upcoming matchups and implications.
“Now, their problem is that infernal tie against Dallas.”
Bears' Dominant Win and Future Prospects
31:36 to 33:15
Examination of the Bears' recent victory and their playoff hopes.
“Caleb and the Bears just absolutely spanked the Browns.”
Caleb Williams and the Bears' Offense
33:16 to 36:08
Discussion on Caleb Williams and the Bears' chances in the playoffs.
“The last time that happened was when another first-time head coach did it with Matt Nagy.”
Remaining Schedule and Bears' Position
36:09 to 37:51
Overview of the Bears' remaining schedule and playoff implications.
“They're in first going to the final three games of the year.”
Remaining Schedule and Bears' Position
38:04 to 39:52
Overview of the Bears' remaining schedule and playoff implications.
“mean the rich eisen show the podcast Rich Eisen here, and summer's here too.”
Remaining Schedule and Bears' Position
39:55 to 40:32
Overview of the Bears' remaining schedule and playoff implications.
“From the cinematic sound that pulls you in every holiday movie to game day audio that puts you right in the middle of the action.”
Listener Call and Discussion on Chargers
40:33 to 42:01
Engagement with a listener about the Chargers' playoff potential.
“Let's go to Chris in Riverside, California.”
Analyzing the Upcoming Chargers vs Cowboys Matchup
42:01 to 47:00
A deep dive into the upcoming game between the Chargers and Cowboys and their playoff chances.
“He's exactly the type of guy that is the avatar for Harbaugh.”
Transcript
Automatic transcript. May contain errors.0:01This 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+. Study and play. Come together on a Windows 11 PC. And for a limited time, college students get the best of both worlds.
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1:25This is The Rich Eisen Show. He says, Rob, you don't understand. I love to act. This is the Rich Eisen Show. Philip Rivers came off the couch and came out here throwing dimes. From the Rich Eisen Show studio in Los Angeles. McCarthy keeps it beautifully. Coming up on today's show, complete week 15 recap, Monday night preview, plus your phone calls, latest news, and more. And now, it's Rich Eisen. Our number two of the Rich Eisen Show is on the air.
1:59Rich Eisen:Hello, ESPN Radio, presented by Progressive Insurance. Hello, Disney Plus watchers. Hello, those who are watching on the ESPN app. The Overreaction Monday podcast has already been recorded. And it's up there. It's up there. It's in there. It's out there. We're here. You're there. And it's on our YouTube channel, youtube.com slash Rich Eisen Show. If you want to see it, there's a cut down version at 430 Eastern every single Monday on ESPN2. We greatly appreciate that pop from our friends. And also it's available wherever you get your podcasts. Same thing all three hours with this show. If you want to listen to it whenever you want, we greatly appreciate that.
2:38844-204-RICH-NUMBER-DON We'll take your phone calls in a matter of moments. We just had a good first hour
2:43Rich Eisen:talking about the Chiefs being eliminated, the Broncos in line for that one seed. Chargers still alive for the division in one seed. The Patriots still alive, obviously, for their division. the one seed becomes a little bit tougher for them to make and um then the bills looking stupendous in that second half comeback coming back from 21 down in Gillette nobody does that as a matter of fact nobody has until just this past weekend um and then we talked about Philip Rivers again 844-204-RICH is the number to dial here on the show good lord do I love being right around here it's so great i mean well listen no no no listen here's where we're going here's where we're going uh i had the temerity i had the gall i had the gumption the audacity even oh potentially to look directly in the camera and address the philadelphia eagles fan base i was saying it right uh when they they were losing three in a row i mean the philadelphia eagles didn't look very good from time to time, even when they were winning.
3:48Rich Eisen:And, you know, they lose at Dallas. They lose at the Chargers in between it. Black Friday, day after Thanksgiving, Bears come to their house and damn near run for 300 yards on them. Their coach takes off his shirt in the visitor's locker room to give out free hot dogs? to the city of Chicago? What is happening? And every single time, every moment, I came here and I told the Eagles fan base directly to their face, sometimes even did what I just did, take off my glasses to address. Relax. I told them to relax. I heard you. I said to relax, and the number of folks pushing back, I've lost track. I ran into some Eagles fans in New York City last week.
4:43Oh. Yes. They would come up to me and say, I heard what you had to say about my Eagles and what I should do. I should relax. And to a man and a woman, they would say to me, can't do it.
4:56They almost went full Mike Singletary as coach of the 49ers. Can't win with them. Can't win with them. Can't do it. Won't do it. And I'm like, listen, the pieces are still there. and the schedule lightens up you can't have a get right game and then the las vegas raiders strolled into the link the raiders and the 49ers uh well pardon me
5:26Rich Eisen:and and the eagles what they do is what they're supposed to do which is have an opponent that is beatable and is down on themselves potentially and down on their luck and just down in general, you know what they do? You beat them up and you get right. And that's what the Eagles did. I mean soup to nuts. 31-0. First Eagles shutout win since 2018 when they won out Washington 21-0. Oh, wait for it. When was the last time they shut somebody out at home, Rich? Rich, when was the last time they shut somebody out at home? A 27-0 win against the Giants in 2014. Hey, Rich. Hey, Rich. When was the last time they shut somebody out by 31 points?
6:21When was the last time they shut somebody out by 31 points? Eagles. 1990. Oh, that's a long time. Yeah. Whoa. Buddy Ryan was the coach with a fat butt being told to get back to the locker room, right?
6:39That's how long it's been. It's been a long time. 1990. Oh, but it's just the Raiders. We can't win a game other than the Raiders. I mean, it was just the Raiders. Oh, I don't want to hear it. They're the worst team in the league. I don't want to hear it. You heard the name. Because what?
6:57Rich Eisen:They're the worst team in the league. You know what I always say? I say to Sue sometimes, and the kids talk about temerity. I say, what's the alternative? The alternative is they're still spinning their wheels against a team like the Raiders. Wait a minute, the Raiders come into Philadelphia and do what? What did they do? Oh, you had a tough time against them? Oh, wait a minute. You had to pull it out? You were losing? You had to pull it out in the fourth quarter? No, you're supposed to take the Raiders and you're supposed to beat them up. You're supposed to leave Max Crosby barking at Devin White.
7:35Rich Eisen:You're supposed to have them doing that, wondering about what in the world is happening in our world. That's what you're supposed to do. You're supposed to send them on the longest flight possible home. That's what you're supposed to do. And that's what the Eagles did. Oh, but it's just the Raiders. They got better. They got better. Week to week, you have to get better. You have to stop the bleeding. You got to stop the booing. You got to stop it all. I told you, that game against the Bills in week 17 is going to be about a measuring stick. Now, if you don't do well there, then you can start to get concerned about what happens when you wait for host a playoff game.
8:22Rich Eisen:Because that's what the Eagles are going to do.
8:28Rich Eisen:Here's Nick Sirianni afterwards. You control your own confidence. You control your own joy when there's a lot of noise out there. You know, you control all that. And what I saw from the entire team was for the last couple weeks, regardless of the circumstances, we've been committed to playing Eagle football and doing the things we need to do to play Eagle football. That's tough detail together. And that happens during the week. If we rode the wave of the outside noise, then you're not able to do that. I just thought we did a great job these last couple weeks of zoning in on what we needed to do and going to work every single day and not letting outside circumstances dictate anything how we feel.
9:16Well, I'm pissing off some of the Eagles fans, if not most of the fan base. Let me keep going. Nick Sierra, and he's right. Oh, baby.
9:23Rich Eisen:Oh, it's a good thing he didn't bench Jalen Hurts.
9:28Rich Eisen:Jalen Hurts. He became the first quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl era to have three or more touchdown passes in a game and three or fewer incomplete passes in that single game. That's what he did. Let's hear Jalen Hurts after the game. I bet you he sounds just like he does after a loss. Because that's him. Hit it. Everybody's watching. It just comes with it. And it hasn't changed. I think everybody needs to remember where I come from and how I'm built. So I just want to lead in the right way, set the right example. Done the same thing since I went to the University of Alabama and everything that has been in front of me, so it's no different now.
10:14Rich Eisen:That's right. This man's on a journey. and he's also another reason why I love Jalen Hurts is he wore a Yankee hat at his press conference. Maybe it's in honor of the Phillies' new bench coach is apparently coming. Donald Arthur Manningly, one of the greatest human beings to ever be created on planet Earth. Coming back to the Yankees? No, the Philadelphia Phillies. I'm guessing it matches outfit. Maybe. I mean, I hope. Okay, I don't care. I don't care that the Raiders are now the third team in the Super Bowl era with multiple games in a season with no points and fewer than 100 yards of total offense.
10:49Rich Eisen:The last team to do it was the 76 Falcons, and the one before that was the 71 Bills. I don't care how bad they are. The Eagles did what they had to do, and the alternative is that they didn't or couldn't, and they've lost four in a row, and their season is now truly turning into the 2023 Eagles when they went 10-1 to barely making the playoffs and getting one-and-done on the road. This time around, they're going to get a home playoff game because guess what? The magic number is one. All they got to do is show up on Del Tufo's Fox on Saturday, walk into Washington, and beat the Commanders. That's it.
11:32You working the faders for that one, Mike? Nope, I'm off. Good to know. I'm working. I'm doing bad. It's going to sound great, nonetheless, I'm sure, because you rally around your teammates just like the Philadelphia Eagles. They do. Listen, are they going to win the Super Bowl again this year? I don't know. Are they going to go deep in the playoffs? I don't know. Are they going to host a home playoff game? You bet they are. Will they have that form of a lottery ticket in their hands? Better than having to go on the road for all the playoff games? Yeah. Better. so i don't want to hear it's just the raiders oh who cares it's just the raiders it's just the raiders i don't want to hear it because the raiders are grown-ass men with pete carroll doesn't come out of retirement to coach this team to beat the washington generals to the philadelphia eagles before they take on the washington commanders that's not what they do they're pretty bad they're not good i mean but they are a get right opponent and the eagles got right.
12:37Relax. Come week 19, then you could start to panic maybe.
12:46As for your Dallas Cowboys, TJ Jefferson. I mean, give it to him. I don't have the patience to jack with you today. Here lie the Dallas Cowboys of 2025 because they're still alive. I mean, if you put a mirror in front of the 2025 Cowboys, they'd still be able to fog it up. A song called Barely Breathing years ago. That's it. But listen, we thought going in that they weren't fully equipped defensively. Then they trade away Micah Parsons. We'll get to Micah's news shortly. And they were able to utilize some of the draft capital this year to go get Quinn and Williams. I like your future.
13:28Rich Eisen:How does that sound? because the Dallas Cowboys usually do draft well. And they're going to have the opportunity to draft a couple of really good players in the upcoming draft. And I do like the coach, the way that he is coaching this offense. The running game that we thought was non-existent coming into the season has absolutely been a hallmark of this offense. George Pickens, I'm imagining they're going to pay. he and um cd lamb next year for dak are going to be really good and they got ferguson and some other good tight ends school i like it i like the front seven with kenny clark you get give me a pass rusher go ahead and draft me a pass rusher and what what else you want you want some help on the back end maybe bro we need some d back okay so so let's do that let's do that because that's And obviously, I think Brian Schottenheimer has proven he can be the coach of the Dallas Cowboys.
14:31Rich Eisen:I'm a fan. And he's not a guy that's just, you know, whatever you say, Mr. Jones. At least he doesn't give that impression off.
14:44So, and that three-game win streak, maybe that's what you're going to look like more often than not next year.
14:50Rich Eisen:Because in that three-game win streak, when Quentin Williams arrived and DeMarvian Overshone came back from his knee injury, That guy is just everywhere. I love that kid. And that win streak that Dallas went on, that looked pretty damn good, man. Felt great. But here lie the Dallas Cowboys of 2025. Once again, not making the playoffs, and once again, not even coming close to the NFC Championship game, and that's what it's supposed to be about. So, you know, Merry Christmas. Dallas against the Washington Commanders with both of them potentially eliminated. And then you got, you know, Detroit and Minnesota playing a pretty important game, I believe, for Detroit and Minnesota trying to make some hay, as we saw last night.
15:44Your boy looked like an NFL quarterback last night. Oh, did he ever? Drew in Chicago, let's take his phone call. Line three, Mike Del Tufo. What's up, Drew? Hey, Rich. Hey, Drew. I know I'm in Chicago, but I'm a diehard Vikings fan. I'm from the same area as your boy, Nine. Nine, yes. And, yeah, absolute resurgence from Nine with the gritty on the naked boot into the end zone. I mean, come on. I had to fire you up. What do you think?
16:16Rich Eisen:Oh, I was – listen, I don't know if you've heard, Drew. Not a great week for Michigan football. I don't know if you're aware of that. No, not at all. If you've been reading the news. I'm sorry. No, no. Listen, it's okay. But, yes, I saw that. And I was cheering from my front row seat of my couch. I was fist pumping. I was clapping. Because I will just say this. Obviously, I'm biased. But the guys around here in this studio who, you know, roll their eyes when I did a little bit biased about my Wolverines. You've all met J.J. McCarthy. He's one to root for. He's one to root for, and he does, at the end of the day, have some brass.
17:05Rich Eisen:Now, sometimes that brass comes out with him calling himself nine before he wins games like he does on Monday Night Football, and sometimes it'll come out where, you know, he's talking about uncorking fine wine, and instead the wine comes out corked. You know what I mean? Like, that's happened, but you've got to have that. You've got to have it. In the postgame presser, he was going back and forth with KOC about he did the gritty in practice on the naked boot, and he was told not to pull it out in the game. But you saw what I saw. He pulled it out. So did you open the door to your car, or was that an email that just came in?
17:47Was that a text? It was a text. Sorry, Ray. It was a text from the football god saying you got yourself a real one, Drew. enjoy it nine is shut up thank you sir thank you Drew I didn't even curse nine out last night what does that tell you let me just say this fun aside when that first pass attempt gets tipped in the air did you see that part of the game because Tariko is like he didn't throw an interception in a game last week it was his first one as a pro he didn't throw an interception in a game and Collins was like, there's a big sigh of relief in Minnesota. And then he fades back and the ball gets tipped and it's intercepted by Quentin Williams.
18:30Okay, so when that happens, obviously J.J. McCarthy is not aware of the play-by-play and by-play between the two announcers of Sunday football. That's just not a great way to start the game. So that said, though, he could easily have gone back to the sideline going, I'm on Monday Night Football for the first time since week one when I had a terrible time of it in Chicago until the fourth quarter. And he could have gone into a spiral. He didn't. He didn't. The kid has some reserve, man. He's got some brass. And I'm just telling you, because I watched damn near every snap of his college football career, he has it in big games.
19:16And just because he hasn't shown it consistently enough yet doesn't mean he's not it. Up front, you could see as well, they had the next-gen stats of the offensive line group. They're finally getting some protection for him. And how many times has the ball either hit the hands of Justin Jefferson and he uncharacteristically doesn't catch it, or it hits the hands of Justin Jefferson because McCarthy has overshot him, or he catches a touchdown and he's gritting, but nope. There's an illegal formation. At some point, they're going to connect. It's only a matter of time. Jefferson dropped one, too.
19:57He did. In the end zone. Yep. At some point, it's going to connect, and the coach and this quarterback is going to be all right. Not this year. We knew there were going to be some growing pains, ups and downs. It just was going to happen. J.J. McCarthy is 22. 22. And even though I was talking about Bo Nix having 61 starts, McCarthy was just the starter of Michigan for two years. He only lost one game. But he has it. He's got the hardball in him, and now he's got the Kevin O 'Connell in him. He's got the weapons around him. Hey, I might be off on this too, because obviously, again, I remind everyone I am biased.
20:46Next up, he's at Jackson Dart and the Giants. Then he's home for Detroit and home for Green Bay. J.J. McCarthy will have a say in who wins the NFC North. It's going to happen. He's going to be in the mix of two crucial games for the Packers and the Lions. Crucial.
21:12So, there's that. Sorry he's the one that nailed the coffin shut on your Cowboys. You're still alive, like the Don. Okay? He's taking a lot of shots out of you. Your Cowboys have taken a lot of shots outside, you know, picking out the fruit outside the Jenko Olive Oil Company there in Dallas. He wants some oranges.
21:36but
21:38Rich Eisen:I'm I'm so I was so psyched watching that game last night oh gosh I love that kid he's giving me so much joy 844-204-RICH is the number to Donald take your phone calls Micah Parsons the news is back from the old MRI machine in Wisconsin that's next this is the Rich Eisen show
22:02Rich Eisen:The Rich Eisen Show Podcast
Read the full transcript
22:27Rich Eisen:and engineered EVs with ultra-fast charging capability. And we're still doing it every day because the future isn't some far-off concept. It's already here. Next starts now. Hyundai, an official partner of FIFA. A 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 lays and jump on the bandwagon we're undefeated lays 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 na member fdic terms and conditions apply nm ls 696891 fast funds terms apply at sofi.com slash debt play here on our espn radio presented by progressive insurance feed talking about the packers broncos game yeah week four uh week four rich uh they were up 21-3 at halftime on cincinnati there you go so it's been a while so they're battle tested close games got to pull them out in the fourth quarter but this one just felt different that they were in the arena with a big time team that has you know a hot quarterback a terrific running back a bunch of receivers that can do all sorts of different things and then a defense that can hit you in the mouth and the Broncos came out with the win the green bay packers as we know come out with the loss and they lost more than just the game they lost micah parsons for the rest of the season we you know the old dreaded non-contact injuries when your knee buckles in a certain way that looks unsightly usually leaves you with a sense that it's a significant injury and ian rapaport we put his tweet up here my colleague from the NFL media group confirming that it's in torn ACL says it's a nine-month recovery at least which potentially puts him in line or a turn for next season but it'll be one of those where we'll see and he's got to work his way in but that's next season this season October you know you're you're removing for this Green Bay Packers 2025 team you're removing according to next-gen stats.
25:13Rich Eisen:As you know, I'm an old-gen stat guy. Like, wins, losses, touchdowns. RBIs. Things we can count. Michael Parsons leads the NFL with 83 quarterback pressures. So you're removing the guy who gets quarterbacks to say OS the most. Remember that? Oh, yeah. Remember with Geno Smith and Aaron Donald coming in? Yeah. You heard the mic from his center pickup. OS. Poor guy.
25:43And listen, the Packers without Micah Parsons,
25:47Rich Eisen:now you're basically back to last year's defense. Is that fair to say? You didn't have him. Now you had him for this much, and clearly you're going to have to make up for that. Good luck, clearly, right? But here's the way through. Again, I always try to leave people with a, here's the way through. the way through is don't turn it over duh but the Packers have had three games this year including this Sunday in which they've had multiple giveaways you want to guess what the record is in those three games? 0-3 simple spinning curve in the zone there big poppy and with one or fewer giveaways this year they're 9-1-1 with no giveaways they haven't lost 7-0 so that's it hold on to it hold on to it because you've got even with Micah gone a defense that can generate I would I would think pass rush now you don't have Kenny Clark and him obviously so it's gonna have to be up to a guy that's a few weeks away from getting some serious heat on him the defensive coordinator of the Packers, Jeff Halfley, as you know, is, I think, you can look at all the coordinators in the NFL right now and say, that guy's going to have a job next year.
27:14Rich Eisen:I think he's in the top three of that list. He's getting lots of interviews, for sure. So, it's going to be up to him, and this will be another way for him to show off his acumen, is to keep this thing moving. Let's keep Josh Jacobs healthy, because when he, he's, he's unbelievable. Although, it was his first, believe it or not, his first career game where he ran one in and caught one. And the one he caught for a touchdown was he was high point. Yeah, it was sick. Yeah. And Love had a season worse, two interceptions. But, you know, one of them I can't blame him for. That Pat Sertan pick of the one he targeted Christian Watson might be the interception of the year.
27:56Rich Eisen:Yeah, defensive player of the year. It's the interception of the year if somebody has used both hands to catch a football right um i'll never forget and it's just there's not an excuse making for for jordan love here when we were interviewing the broncos prior to broncos jets uh a game that i i think caused me to lose a few more follicles calling that game um that pat sertan showed up on the Zoom and basically said he lamented the lack of action he sees. He feels like some of the games, because they don't target him, they don't throw at him purposefully, he feels like he said he's running track instead of playing football.
28:43Just running? Just running. Just running. And, hey, Pat, you keep picking balls off like that, you're going to be running a lot more track. Oh, my God, what a pick that was. He takes his side of the field, right? And he puts it on lock like he's part of a jail. It's just like, come on. Oh, yeah. I got to watch this pick again. Dude, watch it on repeat. And Denver's not an easy place to win, yada, yada, yada. And the Packers could be six days away from showing up on Del Tufo's Fox and sweeping the Bears. Now, their problem is that infernal tie against Dallas. Because of that tie, the tie break they would have by sweeping the Bears is null and void, essentially, because if they beat the Bears, they would just be a half game in front of them.
29:45And Green Bay, after visiting Soldier Field, where, man, are the Bears fans going to be in full froth for that one.
29:59Green Bay ends up, as you could see, hosting Baltimore, and then they visit Minnesota, which, if nine shows up, may not be the type of game that we thought it would be a few weeks ago. so good news for them is i think the bears have a tougher stretch after playing the packers this week the bears have to go visit san francisco on a monday night that i'll be honest with you could be i don't know what that's going to look like when they visit san francisco on that monday night san francisco could have a shot at the one seed oh pardon me on a sunday night they could have a shot at the one seed on that Sunday night that's no joke by the way they could and the Bears could have a shot at the one seed on that Sunday night or a shot at maybe clinching the division or needing it to stay out of a wild card spot with the Lions coming into their house to potentially sweep them and they would have potentially the same record as the Bears.
31:14And they could eliminate the Bears from playoff contention if the Packers keep winning and the Niners beat the Bears. I mean, this thing could go any which way. But loose. Did you like that one? Yeah, good movie. It could go any which way and loose. Yeah. Obviously without the orangutan. Right turn, Clyde. And Clint Eastwood. Chicago's is too. Joffrey Lewis. Caleb and the Bears just absolutely spanked the Browns. You know, absolutely took them over. And again, I don't want to hear it. It's the Browns. I don't want to hear it. It's the Browns. You think Shador's not trying to show up and show out against Caleb in Chicago in this defense?
31:59You don't think Miles Garrett... You don't think Miles Garrett... Wow. Oh, boy. You don't think Miles Garrett wanted to set the sack record against Caleb Williams in Chicago? He's counting those game checks. Dude. Seriously. I don't want to hear it. The Bears may just turn out to be who we think they are. I was just going to say who they are. And they did not let the Browns off the hook. They did what they were supposed to do. Which is beat them up. Yeah. Beat them up. They stomped them up. right get right oh we lost to green bay guess what we're going to get right we're going to get back in first place and then we're going to welcome the packers into our house that's what we're going to do and we're going to beat the browns 31 to 3 that's what we're going to do i don't want to hear it in this day and age where anything can happen when 44 year olds can come off the couch and almost win in Seattle.
33:02Anything can happen in this league right now. Anything can happen. So you need to go take care of business and win by 28 points, your largest margin of victory in five years.
33:15And Ben Johnson now just came up with a 10-win season. The last time that happened was when another first-time head coach did it with Matt Nagy. the only other team that won 10 or more games in his first season with the bears is named george hallis how about that as a list george hallis matt nagy and ben johnson go figure
33:38Rich Eisen:but this was caleb after the game about making a playoff push for the bears yeah i think we're ready i think we've we've played teams that have a bunch of wins we play teams that don't we've played close games we've played games where we've beaten teams by a lot we've played you know teams where we had to win with special teams, offense, defense, whatever case, running ball, whatever case. And so I feel that we're, you know, we're ready for just about anything, hot weather, cold weather, whatever the case may be. We're going to go out there and go out there and fight. I do know that. And I like our chances, us versus anybody.
34:13Rich Eisen:Well, the antibody years, all three of them are currently in the top eight of the NFC rankings, all three of them. So they're going to earn it. They're going to earn it. And what they did was they did go out in a game where it was, man, when they was playing in that cold, they was cold. That's one of the coldest games on record in Chicago, which is saying a lot. Again, I once upon a time, I lived in Chicago my year. I was at Northwestern. um i there was in my old car um i deactivated the alarm which was like a the old punch pad i had an alarm we had a punch pad you remember that it would be this wired to like the motor and you'd have to punch the pad that would then allow you to turn the motor on i would i cut the wires on that thing and i will never forget watching my car towed down the street in a snowstorm in chicago with that alarm going off because somehow some way the cold weather had fused the wires back together so when you're saying this was as cold as it gets in chicago for a bears game it's cold and the bears won that and they won it by 28 they have been in the same way that sean payton's like hey man we've been in these slug fests so we're comfortable bears are feeling comfortable and I know, Chris, prior to the season, prior to the season, one of your overreaction Monday subject matters was Caleb Williams throwing for 4 ,000 yards, right?
35:46Rich Eisen:First Bears quarterback to ever throw for 4 ,000 yards. That was, I think, one of the preseason ones. I think this was in the summer you popped that one up there. He needs to average 283.3 passing yards per game in the final three to get to 4 ,000 yards. All right, a little high register, but we can get there. So, Bears are in the mix. They're in first going to the final three games of the year. Bears Packers can flip the script or give the Bears some cushion going into San Francisco. Or the Bears lose it. They're in second place. and potentially just a game in front of the Lions, which they don't want to be because the Lions can just beat them in the final week of the season and leapfrog them wherever that may be.
36:43Atop the standings or, heaven forbid, for the Bears as the seventh seed. So the Bears can, with three weeks to go, have got the fan base rightfully so pumped up. Okay? Yeah, Adam didn't have any complaints this morning. Which is wild. Which is wild. On Instagram. Which is wild. We all know that. Yeah, Caleb's already clipped last year's touchdown mark. It's all working. He's going to beat his passing yards. Again, I wish he could complete a few more passes. Well, all he's got to do. Let's get that in the mid-60s. He better keep winning. Because right now, the Bears can finish as the one seed. They could finish as the two seed in winning the division.
37:23They can finish as a seventh seed in the wild card. Or they could just be out of it. And you could make the case that in the NFC, they have the toughest remaining schedule. Packers at home, Niners on the road, Lions at home, with the Lions potentially needing it to make the playoffs. Oh, man. 844-204-RICH, number to dial. We're here on ESPN Radio, presented by Progressive Insurance.
37:52Rich Eisen:Keep your career moving forward with growth opportunities, great pay and benefits and one of the country's top workplaces sounds like us go to careers.progressive.com and apply today 844-204-RICH number to dial joe burrow talked about his earlier comments what they mean the rich eisen show the podcast
38:21Rich Eisen: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. 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.
38:54Rich Eisen: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. 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.
39:27Rich Eisen:Find out how much at airbnb.com slash host. Save$2 when you buy two cans of Superior Products Cover All Tire Dressing. Plus receive four times O rewards points now at O 'Reilly Auto Parts. Coverall delivers long-lasting shine. Visit your O 'Reilly Auto Parts store or OReillyAuto.com.
39:52Rich Eisen:This show is brought to you by Sonos. This season, make your home feel alive with Sonos speakers, please. From the cinematic sound that pulls you in every holiday movie to game day audio that puts you right in the middle of the action. And we're about to see some great football action over the next few weeks. Get Sonos in time. It makes the incredible ambience in your home fill your home. And stream everything you love, music, movies, your favorite sports podcast, all in one place. The Sonos Holiday Sale is on right now through December 28th, 2025 at Sonos.com. I use it. I have it. It's great.
40:25Rich Eisen:My kids love it. Suze loves it. Discover how easy it is to bring every room to life with Sonos. 844-204-RICH is the number to dial. Let's go to Chris in Riverside, California. What's up, Chris? Roof aside. Say good morning, Rich. How are you today? I'm hanging in there. What's on your mind? Hey, well, first of all, happy holidays to you and the rest of the guys in the studio. I love listening to you guys every day. Hey, I'm a big Chargers fan from way back when they were in San Diego, and I just think that I know you mentioned it earlier that I still believe that they are a, you know, team to watch out for.
41:00Their defense is still doing good. But I still think between them and Jacksonville, those are the two teams I think a lot of the other folks are going to really not want to face in the playoffs. And, you know, I want to get your thoughts on that. And I have one little disagreement. I am not going to miss the Chiefs in the playoffs. No, no. Hey, listen, I would expect a Charger fan to push back on that since I threw out there.
41:27Rich Eisen:You know, exactly. Cowboys would never cry at the loss of an Eagle fan. Man, I still want you to send a positivity rabbit to Carl Anthony Towns. We killed that rabbit. Me too. Cats in Vegas, though, for the cup game on Tuesday night. That's a fun match, by the way. It is indeed, certainly with Wemby back. By the way, thanks for the call, Chris. That Wemby-Spurs versus Oklahoma City Thunder game was a dynamite Saturday game. But we digress. Listen, he left out the Texans, too, and the Texans played the Chargers in two weeks. Chargers are next for the Cowboys. Look out, man. Chargers are really good.
42:08Rich Eisen:Really, really good. And Justin Herbert, how about him with a broken left hand, tied for the most sacks he's ever had in a two-game stretch of his career, and the other two-game stretch that he also suffered 11 sacks and was weeks nine and ten of this season when he had a left hand that wasn't just freshly surgically repaired. He's exactly the type of guy that is the avatar for Harbaugh. Throws it, plays with abandon, loves his teammates, it's easy to follow, you know. God, find someone in your life who loves you as much as Jim Harbaugh loves this guy. You know? And Omarion Hampton is back with Kimani Vidal.
42:52Rich Eisen:he can run it defensively they got a bunch of guys that just lay the wood on you man they were hitting some people in Kansas City yesterday including Jefferson who got the gate he moved on out that Jefferson and they just make all these picks Henley's just I mean that was an incredible interception as well Derwin James wrapping the season up the one who grabbed the Gardner Minshew pass and you look at the Chargers and the AFC right now, and I just want higher register, but you have to see them. If they're a wild card team and the Jaguars pop down in the wild card, that would move them down a peg.
43:36Rich Eisen:We'll talk about the AFC South shortly. But if you look at the AFC standings right now, the Broncos are on top with 12 wins, but there's the Chargers with 10. if they just get the Broncos to slip up once in the next two games, just root for the Jaguars here in Los Angeles and get the Broncos to slip up once. And then the Jaguars can get got in what the Chargers would need because they can't be tied for Jacksonville, which has, and we'll lay out their case later on. but you look at just get one win out of den one loss out of denver either to pittsburgh pardon me to jacksonville at home or i mean can gardner mince you i know the charges were counting on mahomes needing that game to make the playoffs as a wild card and and being healthy for that christmas game on on amazon on christmas night But if they can get one win out of those two, and they beat Dallas, they beat their Texas-based teams, they beat Dallas and Houston back-to-back, they would go into Denver as a chance to win the division, and then potentially the one seed, depending on other results.
44:55That's real right now for the Los Angeles Chargers.
45:00Rich Eisen:That's real. And they could do it. Can you imagine? could you imagine los angeles football having the one seats in both conferences wow that'd be pretty shocking let me ask you this if i tell you put it this way never happened in new york no definitely not if i tell you the rams are not winning the super bowl well who would you say is
45:27um oh and how about this anyone else that's in the playoffs i think that's kind of a fair way to think about it. Anyone else in the playoffs? Yep. I would say probably not whoever wins the AFC North and the NFC South. I would say everyone else is kind of... If you had to start eliminating my process that would be the beginning of the process. Right. But you put the AFC South above both those teams. For sure. I just can't remember a tournament that's as wide open as this one. It's crazy. And we're late December and we still don't be like, all right, it's probably going to be these three teams who are hosting the trophy at the end?
46:08Yep. I can't identify one that's above the other. Yeah. I mean, you'd think maybe Denver because of how they have been playing and they're on a hot streak. I think they finally proved to me that they can win it. I know it's taken a long, and maybe I'm a little late to the party, but that was a pretty big statement win against Green Bay. 100 % agreed. but there's the Chargers that can beat the Broncos for a second straight time, put that tie break on the table. That could be the final game of the regular season as well. As you're just looking through the ether and sifting through what's going on of football, but right now as it's sitting here, both Los Angeles teams could finish atop their conferences.
46:55The end is going to be great. You're not lying. You're not lying. And that's how we wrap up this second hour of our simulcast here on Disney Plus and also ESPN and ESPN Radio. The Rich Eisen Show Podcast. The right window treatments change everything. Your sleep, your privacy, the way every room looks and feels. At Blinds.com, we've spent 30 years making it surprisingly simple to get exactly what your home needs. We've covered over 25 million windows and have 50 ,000 five-star reviews to prove we deliver. Whether you DIY it or want a pro to handle everything from measure to install, we have you covered.
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From the publisher
Rich weighs in on the Philadelphia Eagles’ firing on all cylinders in their Week 15 31-0 shutout of the lowly 2-12 Las Vegas Raiders, says why Cowboys fans should be excited for the team’s future despite falling to 6-7-1 on the year, and capes for fellow Michigan alum JJ McCarthy after the Minnesota Vikings’ in over Dallas.
Rich weighs in on how Micah Parsons’ season-ending knee injury in the Packers’ Week 15 loss to the Denver Broncos impacts Green Bay’s Super Bowl aspirations.
The guys react to the Chicago Bears taking over sole possession of 1st place in the NFC North with a rout of Shedeur Sanders and the Cleveland Browns.
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