Hour 2: What’s More Likely, Cowboys’ Playoff Hopes, Matt Campbell to Penn State, plus Bruce Arians

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0:56Rich Eisen:And Messi only trusts Duracell. This is The Rich Eisen Show. Hey, everybody. Can't get enough of The Rich Eisen Show? You're in luck. You can find us everywhere. Watch us weekdays on Disney Plus from noon to 3 Eastern. Miss the show? We've got a podcast so you can listen anytime. But here's the best part. Our YouTube channel. Subscribe at youtube.com slash richeisenshow and you'll never miss a moment. Now, on with the show. Live from the Rich Eisen Show studio in Los Angeles. This is the Rich Eisen Show. We're going to kick you in the teeth. They give it to Jameer. He's gone, baby. We're going to bite a kneecap off.

1:41They've intercepted by the lion. DJ Reed. Earlier on the show. NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero. Coming up. Super Bowl winning head coach Bruce Arians. Academy Award nominated actor Andy Garcia. And now it's Rich Eisen.

2:00Rich Eisen:Our number two of the Rich Eisen Show is on the air. While FIFA's handing out awards, I think I need to have an award. Maybe FIFA could give you the first ever FIFA Remarkable Restraint Award. Because I started the show talking about the Lions win and not the Cowboys loss, which I think is generationally different. Trophy and a medal. Let me tell you, I would like both because I showed remarkable restraint and not talking about how the Dallas Cowboys are in massive trouble. Get your damn act together. I appreciate that, Mr. Jones. No, you did the right thing because that's how sports shows should be.

2:40Rich Eisen:With the winners first. And not the team that has a fan base that's everywhere. Having lost to go 6-6-1 entering week 15. Four games to go. And here's the issue. the 3-5-1 start in the same way that the Ravens started 1-5 when you start like that it's normally an anchor that weighs you down in the back half of the season because the margin for error gets that much slimmer the Texans starting 0-3 currently being 7-5 is the difference between them being in the wild card or in first place or sniffing it like they are entering week 14 and they in order to keep surging need to just go into arrowhead and beat a desperate chiefs team on a sunday night they got to go into a nationally televised night game in arrowhead which i'll tell you what since my homes has taken over i don't need uh research to tell me uh chiefs usually win those games so when you start oh and three that's a problem when you start three five and one and you've won three in a row and you look like you're a top five team in the nfl they almost cracked my top five of my power rankings this week and for good reason because they were playing complementary football they were playing defense like we hadn't seen over the first two months of the season because quinn and williams is here demarvian overshone is here they got better rostering they got guys back they're getting guys back healthier on the back end of the defense and when you lose a game like last night and you're now six six and one and you put up the nfc standings the dallas cowboys are in trouble because they're sitting there 10th a half game behind the Panthers and there's the Lions at eight the Lions are eight and five that's not good enough to have a wild card position and Dallas just lost to them now again that one tie will be removing the Dallas Cowboys from any negative tie break situation because how are you going to tie anybody when you have a tie and only one other team does and that's Green Bay and the problem for them is Green Bay.

5:05Rich Eisen:Even if Green Bay loses to the Bears, they're two behind Green Bay with four to go. So they need to win out and get a ton of hope that lands in reality. And Dallas's remaining games, you take a look at them, are winnable because they're Sunday night at home in week 15 against Minnesota okay we're all assuming that's a win the way that Minnesota's playing and we'll see how J.J. McCarthy looks returning and I hope he does as you know show up as the nine that he referred to himself as unfortunately a few weeks ago then they've got the Chargers at home that's going to be tough because Jim's going to need that and the Chargers are going to need that and we're going to need that.

6:02Rich Eisen:You're going to need it too. I know. At Washington, at the Giants to finish things up. You give them three wins. Let's just say you win three of the four. That's not going to be good enough. You got to win all four of them. And then you got to hope for other results to land. I think winning the four is doable. Sure. But to say we're in trouble, I mean... You are. We were already in trouble though. I mean, and we had a nice little You were climbing out of it. You were climbing out of it. And rightfully so, you were climbing out of it. The fact is, had we even won yesterday, we'd still be in trouble.

6:39Rich Eisen:No, you'd be in a better position. You'd be in that realm of a third of a chance of making the playoffs as opposed to a tenth. And that's where you are right now. They just got to handle business. Four games. No, I know you can't scoreboard watch and cross fingers. And you got to play games. You know, Dak, after last night's game in which he had a season-high passing yards, 376, CeeDee Lamb goes out with a concussion. You saw his hands pop up. I mean, he saw his hands pop up. You knew something was up. Yeah, that was it. He already had his 26th career 100-yard passing game, and Flannoy did what he did as well.

7:22Rich Eisen:Stepped up. Right. And we'll get to Pickens in a minute. I mean, Javante, listen, the offense is... here's what they ran into um a team that got hot because they have the ability to get hot and they were hung in a spot in detroit where when it gets rolling and like i said at the off the top of the show jameer gibbs is absurd he's amazing he's he's generational and he torched him he torched him and golf did what he needed to do and they just couldn't put enough pressure on golf and these things happen in the nfl in december you're going to run into desperate opponents who are either just as good of you if is it maybe not better and you need to play perfect football and you need to have a better you know significant weapon landing punches than a place kicker and i don't mean to just refer to brandon aubrey as a place he's a weapon a weapon.

8:22Rich Eisen:First ever game in the history of the NFL in which a kicker had three field goals of 55 yards or longer. And the way he just swings his leg, it looks like... You know what? When Aubrey kicks a field goal, you know what it reminds me of? I swear, and I know I might be crazy in saying it. Can I guess? No, you wouldn't be able to guess it because it's golf. I was about to say, a nice golf swing. He looks like fred couples hitting a nine iron let's say ernie vj freddie smooth swings you know i mean yeah tempo town he's unbelievable yeah i didn't mean to well you know i you know my god i know you're not a golf guy right but that's what he looks like freddie more cow guy you just hit you hit freddie just hit nine irons just flipping wedges it looks like he's flipping a wedge every time he swings his leg and then he said he doesn't even know how far he can kick the ball that's crazy because He's never really tried.

9:19Rich Eisen:Well, he's going to have to at some point because I think the Cowboys at some point are just going to say, screw it. You know, every torpedo must be damned. Yeah. And again, you've got to sometimes play better than the ref's ref. I thought they did get a break on a safety being taken off the board. Yeah, it looked like he was. Certainly when Terry McCauley was very adamant about it being the wrong call. I do believe that reeked of New York getting into the ear of the Prime Video truck saying, you have the shot we used. Let's come back from break with it, please. And they did. And it did show you that the ball was out of the end zone.

9:59Rich Eisen:Yeah, it was so close. The offensive pass interference call on Ferguson at the end was absurd. That was absurd. But look, I'll take the high ground and go. A lot of Detroit fans are saying that our left tackle was offsides. And so on that same place. So, you know, well, it's like you always say you got to play better than the ref. I mean, the the I know it's not funny because they've lost. But that reaction by Schottenheimer after the offensive pass interference call got called against him was laugh out loud funny because he took his headset off and every single Sharpie that he has different colors that were jammed in the brim of his cap came flying out.

10:42Rich Eisen:Looked like he had one of these pins. It did make me laugh. It's just like, oh, you know. But anyway, Dak, no laughing matter afterwards. The guys are pissed off right now. I don't think this is any deflated moment. Like, oh, hands are up. We're done. You know what I mean? Like, no, no. Like, absolutely not. I think you're going to get a team that's pissed, especially as we talked about, right, a team that's kind of changed since the bye week. This is the first time this group to an extent suffered this. So I hope it pisses people off the right way. We use it as fuel. And I know starting with myself, we'll make sure we have a great week of prep for next week.

11:18Listen, I don't think the coaching's an issue.

11:21Rich Eisen:I don't think the want to's an issue. Although, I mean, the commentary after the game that Richard Sherman had in the direction of George Pickens was like, he was on cruise control. And again, when a ball, he might have lost it in the lights. There was a ball just before the two-minute warning that if Pickens had caught that and ran it into the end zone, that's exactly the setup that Dallas could have used down two scores is boom, come out of that two-minute timeout, two timeouts left. Maybe you get it with like a minute to go. All you need is like one first down and Aubrey will kick it from 70 and tie the game and send it to where it needs to go.

12:03Rich Eisen:Actually, they needed two touchdowns. so long story short is when the ball hit the ground it was just like what was that and Steelers fans were like pointing at the screen like Rick Dalton shift like there it is that's it I want to give him the benefit of the doubt like that that's it right there all Steeler all the front office like that's it right there that's it right there you know it's amazing how the how quickly things change thank you thank you it's like you're in my head no no I mean how quickly things change and how he's one of the best receivers in the league if not the second best behind jackson smith and jigba and he's doing all sorts of things uh like two weeks ago we were joking that he's turned cd lambert to alvin harper earlier this week with him leaping over mcduffie we're saying he's scraping george's uh scraping his pickings on people and and now now it's just like yeah was he trying hard enough right it's crazy difference between winning and losing in this league is significant and here's what has to happen dallas got to win out and get some results i don't know off the top of my head what the results are right now but they're going to be a lot of them a lot and it's got to start on a sunday night on nbc and then they got to go take care of business at home in their final home game against the chargers and then show up on on christmas on netflix with bugs bunny or whoever else is going to be there at this point in time and we'll see what happens in the final game against the giants which they should they should clean up right there eagles need to collapse and need one of the nfc west teams to fall apart too and by the way so we need help last just let me just stick the landing on this one eagles fans Remember, I told you to take a chill pill.

13:33Rich Eisen:Now I'm seeing their magic number is three. That's it. Wins and losses. Combined wins and losses. The division is fine. It's going to be fine. Everybody relax. Because Dallas has now got to win out, and you've got to totally fall apart now. Okay? Just win. And you got, and then the commanders have a chance to play spoiler here with Jaden Daniels coming back because they take on the Eagles twice and the Cowboys once. Well, you're a Commander fan now, TJ. So, all right. 844-204-RICH is the number to dial. It's a Friday, so let's do What's More Likely before Bruce Arians joins us. Hit it. What? What's more likely?

14:19Never say never, but never. All right. What's up, guys? Happy Friday. What's up, Chris? Great to see you. What up, though? Let's get right to it. Rich, more likely team from your preseason Super Bowl picks to make the playoffs Lions or Chiefs.

14:39Rich Eisen:Oh, my God. You're making me do this now before I see what the Chiefs look this weekend. Absolutely. Yeah, absolutely. Well, I chose the Chiefs to still make the AFC championship and the Super Bowl through it on Thanksgiving. And I got off the Lions. So I'll just try to be consistent here and say that. Lions next game is out here against the Los Angeles Rams, everybody. That's a good one. And the Chiefs, like I said, their toughest opponents are all at home, and they've only lost once at home, and they've got two very winnable games at Vegas, at Tennessee. I'll go Chiefs. Three winnable games at home.

15:12Rich Eisen:Wow. Two winnable games. A team with two less wins than the other one. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Great, great, yeah. Right. I just said it. You're wearing a blue sweater today, bro. I know. What does that have to do with anything? It's a Lions color scheme. Okay. Okay, great. I'm a blue. I think blue is my best color. It's the color scheme of this program. Agree. I'm also wearing blue. You know, red is an Ohio State color. What would I do? Get out of here. Guys, these two guys have been absolute beasts this season, especially of late as well. Is it more likely Devontae Adams catches a touchdown inside the five-yard line?

15:46Yes. What else? Or Devin Anchan has a third straight 120-plus rushing yard day.

15:54Rich Eisen:I'm going to say both happen, but if what's more likely, it's Devante Adams again. Cooper, just as you know, traded for Puka Nakua in his league, and he's just like, dad. He's like, Puka's got more catches and more receiving yards than Devante, but Devante has three times or four times as many touchdowns. I'm like, yeah.

16:18Rich Eisen:Adams limited, but I think he won't be limited against Arizona. Get out of here, man. Both will happen, but if I have to choose one, I'm talking to Adams. It's crazy how often, at the one-yard line, touchdown pass. Correct. It's their tush push. It's great. I love it. Here we go. Here's a fun one for you, Rich Eisen. You like these two guys. More likely to be coaching their current team in 2026. Mike Tomlin or John Harbaugh? John Harbaugh. What else do you want me to say? We could fill in the blank with all the Tomlin criticisms with Harbaugh. Where's the hardball on the hot seat? Where's that coming from?

16:55Rich Eisen:I think locally. All right. Guess what? No way. Interesting. I do have a sense that, I don't know. It really all depends on what Mike Tomlin's thinking. I don't know what he's thinking. I don't think anyone does. No. You know what I think he's thinking? How am I beating the Ravens this weekend? That's what he's thinking. That's all that he's thinking. But at the end of the day, Tom Pelissero said in hour one, it will be he's got to go to the Steelers to say, I'm thinking this is it. And so, yeah, he's still under contract. Correct. So but I'll go Harbaugh if I have to choose one. What else you got, Chris?

17:34Well, I could be the higher total JJ McCarthy passing yards. Oh, boy. Or Bajon Robinson total yards.

17:40Rich Eisen:I'll go Bajon Robinson total yards. I, I, I, I just want I got to see it from JJ. I want to see it from him, as you know. The caping I have done is it's not working. I know. We love them, too. Great kid. I mean, don't use the past tense yet. It's just six NFL starts. That's all. Just six NFL starts. I get it. That is all. And the offensive line is just not that good. And they're not healthy. They haven't been. They have one game where all five of them were there. And then after that game, three of them go out. and that you know what did Justin Jefferson say it's been a brutal season and I give him credit he's as professional as they come he's been taking the high road he is 100 % doing exactly what you're hoping he would do if you're the Vikings organization because if anyone had a reason to crash out he would be my cousin at the receiver position he's my cousin TJ this was your higher register yesterday More likely to win the AFC South.

18:49Colts or Jags?

18:52Rich Eisen:I'll go Jaguars. As you know, I had the Colts as my number one team of me being most concerned about finishing slow. And not fast enough. Jaguars. And the Jaguars have momentum and the home field advantage this weekend. And as you know, ask a Colts fan how well they've done in Jacksonville. that was the moment when apparently may he rest in peace, Jim Irsay looked down at the field and a week 18 and said, I don't want to see Carson Wentz here anymore. He ain't going to be. He's not a full magic Johnson. He ain't going to be here next year. That was the least kept secret at the combine weeks later is that Wentz is not the starting quarterback of the Colts any longer.

19:45Rich Eisen:So I'll go Jaguars, sir. Could be a points palooza in Buffalo on Sunday. More likely to be the bigger number. Total points scored in Bills, Bengals, or longest field goal of the week. Brandon Aubrey, a 63-yard. Oh, that's a tall order. We had 74 points last night. A lot of points last night in Detroit. I'll go, oh my goodness. I'll go total points in this game. Let's go. I know. Earl and Allen, come on in. You know how I feel. You know how I'm feeling. T. Higgins is also back, too. Yep. Burrow, Higgins and Chase Brown. Oh, my God. Let's go. I just have to be right at the end of the day that the season for the Bengals is not over.

20:28Rich Eisen:And I just want that bit to last deep into December. Sure, of course. So and that bit is not results dependent outside of what is happening in Western New York. Ravens win. Steelers win. Gold jacket, green jacket. Right. You know what I mean? Two more quick. More likely to be the bigger number. Bears rushing yards. Can they do it again? Or Jordan Love passing yards? I'll go Jordan Love passing yards. This is going to be an awesome game. I'll go Jordan Love passing yards. I think Jordan Love has found something. 280 last week for the Bears? On the ground? Yeah. I hear you. I'm going to take Jordan Love passing yards in this one.

21:11Rich Eisen:It's going to be fun. I know. It will be fun. All right, last one. A little college football playoff. Is it more likely Indiana is the overall one seed? Yes. Or Alabama misses the playoff entirely? I'll go Indiana's the number one overall seed. And that's not Ohio State hate. I just don't think Alabama's missing the playoffs entirely. What would have to happen for that to happen? They probably have to get blown out. Then Notre Dame and Miami move up. Maybe Texas sneaks in. You know, Michigan has beaten Alabama more times since 2007 than Georgia, right? Georgia does not play them well in the SEC championship game.

21:47Rich Eisen:Just saying. Just pointing. Michigan beat Alabama on the first and last day of the 2024 calendar. So. Made it about me. But I will say I don't think Alabama is going to miss the playoffs entirely. nor do I think Indiana is going to be the one seed overall because that means they have to beat Ohio State which is a tall order. Sure. And even though I think it's not in anyone's interest for that game to be played I will of course be tuned in to seeing it in Indianapolis. 844. Good stuff by the way. Thanks buddy. What's more likely right here. Let's take a break because Bruce Arians is waiting. He's waiting to talk about the new documentary on the Bucs on Prime Video.

22:29Rich Eisen:Bruce Arians coming up.

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24:03Rich Eisen:It's already here. Next starts now. Hyundai, an official partner of FIFA. The Rich Eisen Show podcast. Back here on The Rich Eisen Show on ESPN Radio, presented by Progressive Insurance. For our radio audience, we just saw a clip of Raise the Flags, a new 10-part Prime original docuseries debuting next Thursday on Prime Video. on the same day that we'll see the Bucs and the Falcons take on each other to kick off week 15, covering 50 seasons of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers football and the man who helped bring their most recent ring to Central Florida. Ladies and gentlemen, the head coach of that championship team for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Bruce Arians, back on the Rich Isler show.

24:51Rich Eisen:What's up, Coach? How you doing? Doing great, Rich. It's great to be back on, baby. It's great to see you here, too, man. And like I said, when we were talking off air a little bit, I see you on with Pat, and it looks like you're having a blast, man. It looks like you're having a total blast. It really is. It's such a great crew and such a great time. Yeah, he's, like I said to you again off the air, he's such a stick in the mud, man. You two can't get along. You two can't get along. But it's great to see you here back on this show as well. The clip we just showed, again, for our radio audience, was basically you sitting down with Tom Brady for the first time after when?

25:27Rich Eisen:When you acquired him or you were in the midst of trying to get him to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers? Walk me through that. It was about the recruiting process. And, you know, Jason Light had a history with and John Spitek both with Tom. So for us, it was just a matter of him feeling us out and us feeling him out. And I think we recruited each other as hard as the other one was. So it was like he knew everything there was to know about us. And for me, it was such an easy thing. Well, I mean, obviously, we know who he was and he knew who you were. What made it work between the two of you, do you think?

26:03Well, I think Tampa had everything he was looking for. He wanted to stay on the East Coast close to Jack and his son. And, you know, obviously he was building a house in Florida at the time. And so everything worked out. Plus, we had Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. And, you know, we were fortunate to trade for Gronk and got all the pieces. He knew everything about our football team and how close we were.