Hour 2: Week 12’s Top 5 Games, Texans’ “Championship Defense,” plus NFL Insider Tom Pelissero

18:07Tom Pelissero:scenes there Tom we'll start with that game on Sunday it's critical for the Vikings I'll be there for game day morning outstanding on NFL Network and have talked to Kevin O 'Connell before the game we'll be able to hear directly from him on the show the sense that I get and following this Listen, I was at the game a couple weeks ago in Detroit where J.J. only throws for 150-odd yards, but he made a bunch of really high-level throws, and he was very accurate with the football. When Kevin O 'Connell entrusted him, whether it was to pull down a designed run play and throw a touchdown to Justin Jefferson or third down game on the line, instead of running it, they go, you've got a one-on-one to Jalen Naylor, throw it, and he puts it on a dime to what we've seen over the last couple of weeks, which is just a lot of ups and downs.

18:53Tom Pelissero:That Chicago game got off to such a bad start last week because Kevin O 'Connell is very smart when it comes to getting quarterbacks in rhythm. He did the same stuff with Sam Darnold last year, which is he never was asking Sam Darnold, hey, make 15 high-level throws, elite, small, tiny window throws. It was, we're going to need you to be above the line five times a game. Beyond that, we're handing it off. We're booting you. We're getting you easy completions. Feel yourself in the rhythm of the game, then be prepared for those times where we got to take a shot. I need you to make it. And Darnold, right up until week 18, and to a lesser degree in the wildcard game, Sam Darnold answered the bell more often than not.

19:32Tom Pelissero:With J.J. McCarthy last week, and I know it's been the past couple weeks because there was the Baltimore game as well, he just has not been able to find that rhythm. And there were easy throws, and out to Justin Jefferson that he air mails over his head. And there was another incompletion, I think on a third down, where J.J. was very frustrated and he was coming off the field, basically sprinting off and hitting himself in the helmet. You can see the frustration with J.J. McCarthy in this thing. But what happens? It kind of felt like the week one game where town the stretch, for whatever reason, J.J., whether it was the energy, kind of wore down a little bit, but he played better.

20:08Tom Pelissero:And they're a long kick return and a field goal away from the storyline being, well, J.J. didn't play great, but he made plays at the end again and they won, instead of J.J. didn't play well enough, they lost, and now here they are on the precipice of essentially being eliminated from playoff contention. What I would say is this. The Vikings knew from the start that this was going to be a ride with J.J. McCarthy in 2025, and that's before they even knew that he would miss a month or so of the season because of a legit high ankle sprain that cost a guy reps after he missed an entire year of reps with the meniscus surgery last year who couldn't afford that time to not be on the field.

20:47Tom Pelissero:If you want to be an optimist about J.J. McCarthy, it's this. We have seen the good with J.J. McCarthy. You look at the Detroit game, you look at down the stretch in both Chicago games, it's in there. He's not a guy who is just scattershot all over the place. It's not Christian Hackenberg who can't hit anything. Just that the – sorry to go deep into Jets lore for that one, Rich, But it's not a guy who simply can't throw a football. It's that you're seeing the good is really good. The bad is really bad. And what they've got to do is not make J.J. McCarthy into a perfect quarterback in a short period of time.

21:26Tom Pelissero:They've got seven games left in this season. You're going to continue to have some ups and downs. But what they've got to do is keep those downs from being so far down. You can't miss Justin Jefferson wide open at the sideline. And honestly, I commend Justin Jefferson for being the rare elite receiver and is still, in my mind, the best receiver in the NFL for not flipping out, for not screaming at the quarterback, for not making a public issue. We're watching that happen, Rich, all over the NFL. It happens every year. Justin Jefferson, as those elite guys go, has been very good and has continued to throw his public support behind J.J.

22:03Tom Pelissero:McCarthy. But you can see, and anybody would be, there's frustration. I'm winning on my route. I'm not getting the football. So they've got to do a better job with that. Jeff Halfley is one of the top defensive coordinators in the league. He's going to throw a ton at J.J. McCarthy this week. What they've got to do is just make sure, keep the bad stuff from being the catastrophic stuff. Don't let the downs get so down. We saw J.J. play really well in a hostile environment in Detroit a few weeks ago. He's going to see it in Lambeau Field where they're chomping at the bit to actually win a game at home after a couple of rough weeks before they beat the Giants.

22:36Rich Eisen:All right, and it's a couple minutes to have left. the team that your sources or your anybody who's interested in texting with you, whether you're on your treadmill or not, what's the team everybody's curious about? Have we already talked about them? Blown you up? Anything like that?

22:52Tom Pelissero:I would say one thing that we have not talked about a whole lot, Rich, and this is broader than one team, but it's the series of post-trade deadline cuts that take place of veterans, and in some case, high-profile veterans, who end up getting released because they were shopped, they couldn't be traded. After the trade deadline, all vested veterans are subject to waivers, which means, all right, you're a veteran, hey, we're not good, we're going to let you go to a contending team. Well, you run the risk that someone who's not a contender or someone who just wants to block your path to a team they don't want you to go to can claim you.

23:29Tom Pelissero:You remember the Ravens did this last year amidst the journey of Deontay Johnson through the season. They actually claimed Deontay Johnson during the playoffs solely to stash him. The Ravens had already been eliminated, but they claimed him, in their case, to get a comp pick. But it prevented a guy from potentially hooking on with a team that was still in contention. Brandon Cooks, the Saints, it was reported a couple days ago, the Saints announced it was being released. Brandon Cooks has not yet appeared on the transaction wire, meaning he has not yet had a chance to cross through waivers and then become a free agent and sign wherever he wants.

24:05Tom Pelissero:My understanding of the situation is it's because to facilitate the release, Brandon Cooks agreed to take a roughly$2 million pay cut, basically give back that money that saves the Saints cash and cap space so that if he ends up on another team, that team doesn't just pay on the minimum and the Saints are paid on the bulk of that money to play for somebody else. The problem is they also, and it seems that the NFLPA was involved, obviously Cooks agent was involved, there's a clause that they put in the revised contract that Inesolence would make it punitive for any team that claims him, that if Cooks gets claimed, they owe him all the money.

24:40Tom Pelissero:Well, you're not allowed to do that. That's a manipulation of the waiver rules. So the contract got rejected by the NFL Management Council. They're now trying to figure out some other type of workaround. It was, I mean, an interesting gambit. I would anticipate they'll find another restructured deal that omits that language and it'll go through. But this is kind of this weird horse trading that exists at this time of year. The entire rest of the NFL calendar, you get cut, you're just a free agent as a vested veteran. Anybody with four years of service, you can sign wherever you want. Now that guys are subject to waivers, there are a lot of times where if it's agents calling around and saying, do not claim my guy, he won't report.

25:17Tom Pelissero:or whether in this case it's teams trying to work and find a way that, hey, we're going to try to get it so he does not get claimed. It ends up in this bizarre situation where Brandon Cooks right now is still a New Orleans state, and it's not 100 % clear exactly when he'll actually be waived. And in turn, what team he might end up landing on.

25:37Rich Eisen:Ladies and gentlemen, Tom Palacero with the tale of the fine print. Ladies and gentlemen, I will see you on game day morning, sir. See you soon.

25:47Tom Pelissero:Can't wait.

25:47Rich Eisen:There goes Tom Pulisero, everybody. See you, Tom. I didn't mean to go all Tom Cruise on him. You know, I demand answers, but I wanted answers. Let's take a break. 844-204-RICH. Number to die. We're up against it, as they say.

26:02Rich Eisen:Rich Eisen here. You can always tell when something big is happening in a city. I know what it's like when I'm traveling for big games and events. I remember being in Pittsburgh earlier this year and experiencing the beautiful architecture and passion those fans have for their home teams. that was so infectious. Now, it was a great trip. But you know what it's like dealing with the travel. The airport is packed, hotels are booked up, restaurants, all busy. And when you have that kind of influx of visitors in your city, a lot of them are searching for a place that feels a little bit more like home during their trip.

26:34Rich Eisen:That's why this can be a smart time to think about listing your own space on Airbnb. If you've got plans to be away this summer, consider listing your space on Airbnb while you're gone and earn some extra cash. It's simple. You're already traveling, so your place doesn't just sit empty while your city is busy. And from my experience on the road, having a comfortable home base can change the whole experience of a trip. So whether it's a big sports weekend, a concert series, or a major event coming to your area, this could be the right time to list your space on Airbnb. Your home might be worth more than you think.

27:08Rich Eisen:Find out how much at Airbnb.com slash host. While the world watches the stars of the FIFA World Cup, Hyundai has its eyes on the next generation of talent. Future stars who are already turning heads at age 14. Because Next doesn't wait for an invitation, and neither do we. Hyundai has always moved the future within reach. We did it when we made advanced safety standard on every vehicle. 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.

27:44Rich Eisen:The Rich Eisen Show Podcast. Back here on the Rich Eisen Show. We're live back here on the ESPN Radio feed, if you will. ESPN Radio presented by Progressive Insurance. We're on Disney Plus, streaming live every day between 12 and 3 Eastern time. We'll go to the phone lines in a second. Houston Texans are back in the mix. They are in the mix. they are 6-5. They've won their last three games since C.J. Stroud went out with a concussion. Davis Mills, just like Mac Jones in San Francisco, from where D 'Amico Ryans hails as a coach, he's kept this season afloat. He has single-handedly with his defense.

28:36Rich Eisen:I guess that's not single-handedly, But he has, in his starts at 3-0, erased the 0-3 deficit. And the Houston Texans are 6-5. And right now, sitting there with six games to go and an opportunity to win the division and make the playoffs. And I said win the division. Because next up for them is in Indianapolis. which they haven't played yet. And that's the team that they're two games behind. And they can ask Kansas City for a favor and then return it in kind by going into Arrowhead and beating them. And if they do that, then the Chiefs would have another massive problem in trying to make the playoffs because they will have lost to the Bills.

29:32Rich Eisen:They will have lost to Jacksonville. They will have lost to Houston. that would be massive and Houston can deliver it. And once they're done with that two-game road trip that will either make or break their season, Arizona at home, Vegas at home, they visit the Chargers and have a shot. And again, the AFC South against Indianapolis. The team that they have to go and track down, they have yet to play. They play them twice and they trail them right now by three losses. potentially only two. Kansas City, again, does them a favor to go 6-5. That would make a massive Week 13 Thanksgiving Sunday game between two perennial division winners at 6-5, right?

30:21Ravens should be 6-5 as well because they take on the Jets at home this weekend.

30:27Rich Eisen:And what the Texans have is a championship defense that can change the fate of a quarterback's night and potentially season. You know, Woody Marks and Chubb, not a bad one-two combination running a football. An offensive line that is improved, wouldn't you say? I mean, the offensive line, it's not like C.J. Stroud was standing back there and he was sacked eight times, and that's the reason why he was concussed. He was hit, running, sliding, hit late, bad news. And D 'Amico Rhines is like, let's start Davis Mills again. Let's start the Stanford kid or guy one more time. Let's get C.J. Stroud back for those two big games on the road and use the mini-buy to our benefit.

31:22Rich Eisen:They said on the broadcast last night that had the game been played on Sunday, he'd have made it. Right. But too soon to get out of the concussion protocol for this one. And it worked out. I don't think I'm overstating the fact that the Texans can make the playoffs and win their division. They can do it. Yeah, I don't think so either. I think we're now in a situation where the AFC South is going to get two playoff teams at least. Whereas most of the year, first half of the year, it was like, oh, the Colts and everybody else, that's cute. But I think they're real contenders. Well, the Colts can single-handle use when higher register.

32:00Rich Eisen:The Colts just, you know, again, the Jaguars are the team that's better positioned to be that second team right now. Sure. And, man, this Texans win streak. This Texans win streak started with that comeback on the Jaguars. Jaguars had a chance to sweep the season series from Houston and basically bury them. And Houston came back. Massive comeback. took care of business in Tennessee in a hard-fought slugfest. Short week comeback beat the Bills because they just inundated Josh Allen. One after another after another. Overcame a kickoff being hit for return for a touchdown. So they're resilient, I guess, not just in the games against Jacksonville and Buffalo, but also on the season writ large.

32:50Rich Eisen:They went from 0-3 to being above 500, man.

32:55and give it up to D 'Amico Rhines,

32:58Rich Eisen:keeping the ship afloat. Davis Mills, 3-0, and he's already tied his career high for quarterback wins in a season when he went 3-10-1 in 2022. Of course, this is what it's supposed to work. Christian Kirk's supposed to be healthy and scoring touchdowns. Yep.

33:13Tom Pelissero:Oh, and it looks like they hit on Jaden Higgins. They did, right?

33:17Rich Eisen:He looks like he can make some plays. And Nico Collins has really had an off year. He has. Yeah. You know, if you drafted him in fantasy in the second round, where most of everyone who has Nico Collins, you're waiting for that big game. Well, it can come. It's got to come in the next two weeks then. I mean, going into Indianapolis, into Kansas City, those two teams play each other this week. Houston would like Kansas City to beat Indianapolis. Maybe Indianapolis beat Kansas City up enough, so they tenderize them. Houston coming off the mini-bye going to Arrowhead. And it's a big two-week stretch for Kansas City, and we're going to talk about two-week stretches for those Thanksgiving teams coming up in a moment.

33:58Rich Eisen:844-204-RICH, number to dial. Let's take a phone call here. Let's go to Chad in Sacramento, California. What's up, Chad? Hey, Rich, how's it going? What's going on, sir? I need some help from RES Consulting here. Since you're coming from Sacramento, should RES Consulting light the beam? Should we light the beam for you, Chad? Should we do that? I wouldn't like the beam, yeah, because it definitely hasn't been lit for my Raiders for the past several decades. Okay. And my wife and I are expecting a baby boy, and I don't want him to turn out to be like that guy that said, I hate this team from the Jets.

34:39Rich Eisen:Okay. Okay. Okay. So I'm wondering if you think if Shador beats the Raiders this weekend, should I just sign the certificate hit. No. To be a Browns fan? No. Just signed a certificate to decommit from the Raiders. I thought the game was going to decide who you were rooting for. Well, as you know, they decommitted from Northern California. So, but don't do that, man.

35:09Tom Pelissero:I don't think you're allowed to leave Raiders. Yeah, it's a little different, that fan base. I don't think that's a fan base you can just up and leave.

35:15Rich Eisen:Yeah, the violator's going to drive up to Sacramento and And refuse to notarize that document, Chad. To be honest. I think that could be a dangerous situation, Chad. I know it's not feeling good because they changed, you know, the whole system. But Brady's first year, he chose Spytek. He chose, you know, Pete. Just trust the system. It looks ugly right now. It always will. If you can't protect a quarterback and run the ball with your seventh draft, overall drafted running back, it's just never going to look good. So just give it another year, Chad. But call back before then. Thanks again. That's Chad in Sacramento.

36:02Rich Eisen:844-204-Ritch. Number to dial. Well, I just hung up from him.

36:06Tom Pelissero:Well, I don't think he turned on. Oh, you just hold on his phone is what you're saying. No, just hold on to the Raiders. It's like the mob. You can't just get out of Raider Nation. You got to meet in a parking lot. What do you know about the mob over there?

36:19Rich Eisen:I've seen a movie. Okay, got it. All right, when I come, when we come back, pardon me. I have my top five matchups for the rest of week 12. This is going to be great. That's next. And then the entire third hour is just for us. Let's go. Let's go. What's more likely beckons. So much more to go as we hit halftime of this Friday. O 'Reilly Auto Parts can help take the guesswork out of your vehicle's check engine, ABS, or maintenance light with O 'Reilly Veriscan. The service is free and provides a report with solutions verified by ASE Certified Master Technicians. Ask for O 'Reilly Veriscan today.

36:56Rich 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.

37:16Tom Pelissero:Check responses set up required compatibility and availability varies 18+. MLB.tv on ESPN is your home for every out-of-market game, live or on demand. Catch your favorite teams and players, plus MLB Network and ESPN app features like Multiview. Syncing your stats, key plays, bets, and fantasy, all in one place. Sign up now for MLB.tv and the ESPN app. Separate subscriptions required, blackouts, and other terms apply. Visit stream.espn.com slash MLB.tv for more information.

37:52Rich Eisen:The Rich Eisen Show, the podcast. Hope on wheels. As you know, I care deeply about pediatric cancer research and awareness. That's why I'm so proud of this program and my ability to tell you about it, thanks to our partnership with Hyundai, which has sold over the last 20 years. All the cars, all of them, have helped fund life-saving pediatric cancer research. Together with over 850 dealers nationwide, they've raised over$277 million, supporting over 25 ,000 kids in their fight against cancer. Visit HyundaiUSA.com and search Hyundai Hope on Wheels to learn more. At Hyundai, hope isn't optional.

38:29Rich Eisen:It comes standard. 844-204-RICH, number to dial. Week 12 got underway last night in Houston. Bills at Texans in the books. Leaves the rest of week dozen. I have my top five list of the other matchups I'm looking forward to seeing the most. Presented by Hyundai. Hit it. High five. One, two, three, four, five. Rich's top five. All right. And it starts in the NFC North, everybody. my top five other matchups of week 12 Vikings at Packers. Here we go. Packers six, three, and one is Josh Jacobs going to play? Possibly don't know yet. And the Vikings, which quarterback is going to show up JJ McCarthy on the road in division, JJ McCarthy, or pretty much the rest of the JJ McCarthy that we've seen this year.

39:23Rich Eisen:And the cement is drying as Kevin O 'Connell is saying, and the corks on corking as jj is saying he's got to do it one more time on the road in division to give him three of those to keep the viking season alive he had a chance to sweep the bears this past week and he had them winning i understand he looked like he was throwing with his feet for much of the game but when it came down to it he gave his team the lead which is all you want from the quarterback in the fourth quarter they just couldn't hold on to it imagine they're 5-5 having swept the Bears what it would look like for their prospects 4-6 isn't out of it yet 4-7 I think would be 6-3-1 for Green Bay with the Bears taking on the Steelers at home and the Lions taking on the Giants at home they have to hold serve they've got to win they've got to show up and show out to go to 7-3-1 can't wait for this one it's 1 o 'clock Eastern window type stuff on Fox.

40:28Rich Eisen:Number four, the aforementioned Steelers at the Bears. As of this very moment, Mike Tomlin called Aaron Rodgers questionable to play in this game. We heard it from Tom Pellicero earlier in this hour that Rodgers was never officially ruled out of the game in which he injured his left wrist last week because he was busy in the locker room arguing apparently with the medical staff about being let back in this game and if that's the way he is in the moment with his wrist probably throbbing how do you think he's acting this week behind the scenes with him feeling better and getting the cast and getting used to it and thinking he can protect himself because he wants to play in chicago one last time here coach I think A-Ron is going to start at the end of the day.

41:21Rich Eisen:And then the Bears, are they who we have seen they can be? How's that one? I don't know if that's as good as. Yeah, it's not. Maybe that doesn't ring off the tongue. Matt Liner, it's not going to be next after that line. Not a beer commercial. So this is a team that takes the ball away and then takes your breath away in the fourth quarter on offense with Caleb Williams pulling stuff out of the hat. Can they do that against the Steelers? Well, they have to do that against the Steelers. Is the Steelers team that knocked around Daniel Jones and turned over the Colts a couple of weeks ago? The team that just beat the Bengals last week.

41:57Rich Eisen:Is that the defense that's going to show up? Because that's two very opportunistic defenses, and that's the way that both of these teams have gotten above 500 records in leading their respective divisions. This is a battle of the North Division leaders entering Week 12. Steelers and Bears. Oh, my. Number three on the list is the Sunday Niter. Baker Mayfield coming back to the scene of his comeback. It started when he was released by the Carolina Panthers, and the Rams said, we'll take you, and we just need you in, like, two days. Here's the playbook. And he won that game. It's truly one of the more impressive wins of this decade.

42:35Rich Eisen:And I don't think I'm overstating it. And now he comes back quarterbacking a Buccaneers team that may get Godwin back, but Bucky Irving is still up in the air, man. I don't know if what the hell is happening here.

42:48Tom Pelissero:Todd Bowles says he's out and trending towards a week 13 return.

42:52Rich Eisen:Well, the Rams, the Rams, as I've mentioned in the last two power rankings, is the best team in football. And this is a big one. This is also another battle of division winners, leaders, pardon me. Matthew Stafford trying to keep that MVP campaign moving down the tracks. Rams at eight and two. They will already know if Seattle's pulled off the win against Tennessee. That's earlier in the day. And then, of course, the Niners taking on Carolina on Monday night. This is a big one for the whole country to see on NBC. Whose house? Number two. It's the Eagles and Cowboys. Number two? You bet it is. You bet it is.

43:33Rich Eisen:Absolutely. Number two. Listen, the reason why it's not number one, if that's what you're saying, is because the Cowboys are 4-5-1. And what is the team that's in the number one game? Okay. They're half game better. But I'm just saying this has got a lot going for it. Yeah. For many reasons. The Eagles are seemingly hating on each other. I love it. Until it's time to hate on the opponent, and then they're successful. and then the Cowboys coming off of their best offensive performance of the year and that's saying a lot. We saw what they did against the Giants. We saw what they did against Green Bay.

44:17Rich Eisen:But last week, I guess their best overall performance, you could say, trying to get back to 500 here. I think George and C.D. should stay out every night. And so, by the way, that's kind of crazy that C.D. Lamb, at this stage of his career, would do that in Las Vegas, Nevada. It's just, listen, I know Vegas is sweet. Not on the strip, by the way. It doesn't matter. I mean, come on, man. What are we doing here? You like a late dinner, Rich.

44:42Tom Pelissero:Come on. Early morning dinner. And then you go out and dominate.

44:44Rich Eisen:And here's what I would do. You know what I mean? Do you know when you go to the dentist's office and they put that tube in your mouth? Horrible thing. They should hook that up to Jalen Carter pregame. And that could be the difference maker in this one because, as we know, he wasn't around in the first game between these two in game one of the season. And number one is Colts and Chiefs, man. It is. It absolutely is. It's the Chiefs at a crossroads, man. At a crossroads. I mean, all due respect to Dallas, which is at a crossroads. The Chiefs are a threat to make a championship weekend and also a championship podium run.

45:25Rich Eisen:And then the Colts, this is their measuring stick. This is it, guys. Yeah, are they real or not? I think they're real, but the question is, are they real enough to go into Arrowhead? and do this. And Jonathan Taylor, and they're coming off a bye. Can't wait for it. Early window on CBS. Hit it one more. One more. I did not know this. That's my boy. And I'll go with the game that he will be watching. Patriots-Bengals. I think Burrow's coming back, man. Burrow versus May. Let's go. And if it's not, I'll be sorely disappointed. The line moved back up to seven. Well, because he's a limited, he's limited reps today.

46:08Rich Eisen:Well, I'm just saying Vegas always knows stuff. I don't know. I just can't imagine. They're three and seven. Like, what's, what are we doing here? The guy rehabbed his ass off. He looks great. Pull a ripcord. Let's go. But again, it's not my toe and it's not my franchise quarterback. But I hope that would just make this game so much more amazing. No doubt. I was thinking of putting San Francisco and Carolina here as well. That is a sneaky good game on Monday. It's not very sneaky. It is good. And McCaffrey back. I think it's his first game against Carolina since the trade, I believe. But at any rate, that's my top five.

46:47Rich Eisen:And again, just go to a dentist's office in the Metroplex. Get one of those things. You know. That's not a good meme for me, I think, in the long run. That's good. The Ridge Eyes and Show Podcast.