In short
Preview of NFL Wild Card Weekend and coaching/front-office implications, with discussion of college QB prospects and the Dolphins’ GM search.
Guests
Albert Breer (Sports Illustrated/MMQB), senior writer covering NFL.
Guest background
Longtime NFL reporter and talent-evaluation caller; writes for SI’s MMQB.
Key claims
Raiders could take a quarterback first overall; Dante Moore and Fernando Mendoza are both “in the running,” though Breer doubts either is “generational” like Trevor Lawrence/Andrew Luck. John Harbaugh’s availability likely affected Miami’s coaching/GM timeline; Dolphins interviewed GM candidates tied to Mike McDaniel, then moved on, suggesting a “clean slate” approach. Breer says Harbaugh is a “players coach” who needs the right roster buy-in; Baltimore’s issue may have been limiting his ability to push the program.
Notable examples
Harbaugh’s past connections to Stephen Ross; Harbaugh’s Chargers roster fit (Herbert, Joe Alt, Rashawn Slater, Derwin James). Wild card storyline: AFC bracket wide open without Mahomes/Burrow/Lamar; Breer cites Josh Allen pressure and Trevor Lawrence’s big-game experience.
Written by AI. May contain mistakes. Listen to the episode to check what was said.
Chapters
Tap a time to open that second in VOPreviewing Wild Card Weekend
1:30 to 2:40
Discussion on upcoming college football games and NFL playoffs.
“Live from the Rich Eisen Show studio in Los Angeles.”
Albert Breer Joins the Show
2:40 to 4:20
Rich Eisen welcomes Albert Breer to discuss NFL draft prospects.
“I was – you know, I had a couple rough days thereafter, after New Year's Eve.”
Evaluating Draft Prospects
4:20 to 6:10
In-depth analysis of potential first overall pick quarterbacks.
“As you know, Rich, like, I make a million calls when it comes to this stuff.”
Insights on College Quarterbacks
6:10 to 8:10
Discussion on the current college quarterback landscape and NFL implications.
“And so, like, I do think that there's a process of even NFL people catching up and truly studying them, which is a lot different than watching them on TV or doing a school call.”
John Harbaugh and Coaching Changes
8:10 to 9:20
Analysis of John Harbaugh's potential impact on coaching decisions.
“And, you know, so I think even like the intention to go back for a year is maybe a checkmark for maturity for him.”
The Dolphins' GM Search
9:20 to 14:02
Exploration of the Miami Dolphins' approach to hiring a new GM.
“Albert, is that a fair reading of a team here?”
John Harbaugh's Coaching Style and Future
14:02 to 20:24
Explore John Harbaugh's coaching philosophy and potential future moves.
“little bit of hope if that's who they're looking for or to move on to somebody else?”
The Wild Card Weekend Breakdown
20:24 to 24:36
Discussion on the upcoming NFL wild card weekend and team insights.
“I was saying to Chris the other day on our overreaction Monday pod that all six road teams could possibly win.”
Pressure on Teams and Coaches
24:36 to 27:36
Examination of the pressures on teams and coaches in the playoffs.
“So there are two I would just kind of throw out there.”
Previewing Wild Card Weekend
29:07 to 30:28
Discussion about the upcoming NFL Wild Card games and matchups.
“Derek in Missouri, one of our long times as well.”
Show all 17 chapters
AFC Wild Card Matchup Insights
30:28 to 33:28
Analyzing potential outcomes and key players in the AFC Wild Card games.
“And for you Bronco fans, leave this up on the screen if you don't mind.”
Aaron Rodgers' Playoff History
33:28 to 35:32
Reflections on Aaron Rodgers' past playoff performances and narratives.
“and the 4-5 game is just one game going to one seed as opposed to, well, if it's a 3-6, all sorts of stuff can happen.”
Teams' Chances and Playoff Dynamics
35:32 to 37:48
Discussion on various NFL teams' potential playoff runs and dynamics.
“and it's a home game for him in Pittsburgh.”
Quarterback Strategies in the Playoffs
37:48 to 40:08
Evaluating quarterback play and strategies that influence playoff success.
“Well, I think it could be a little bit of both, but it is the fact that there is nobody out there, okay, that is dominant going in.”
Expectations for Upcoming Games
40:08 to 41:09
Setting expectations for the upcoming NFL playoff games based on current insights.
“And obviously Allen's got the neck down on top of it.”
NFL Wild Card Weekend Predictions
43:38 to 45:55
Get insights and predictions for the NFL Wild Card games.
“Wild card weekend starts with Rams and Panthers.”
Analyzing Upcoming NFL Matchups
45:57 to 47:21
A discussion on the strengths and weaknesses of NFL teams in upcoming games.
“I'm also worried this game's not going to be close.”
Transcript
Automatic transcript. May contain errors.0:01Albert Breer:The world moves fast. Your workday? Even faster. Pitching products, drafting reports, analyzing data. Microsoft 365 Copilot is your AI assistant for work. Built into Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other Microsoft 365 apps you use. Helping you quickly write, analyze, create, and summarize. So you can cut through clutter and clear a path to your best work. Learn more at Microsoft.com slash m365copilot.
0:30Rich Eisen:so good so good so good spring styles are at nordstrom rack stores now and they're up to 60 off stock up and save on rag and bone made well vince all saints and more of your favorites how did i not know rack has adidas why do we rack for the hottest deal just so many good brands join the nordy club to unlock exclusive discounts shop new arrivals first and more plus buy online and pick up at your favorite rack store for free great brands great prices that's why you rack This is The Rich Eisen Show. Hey, everybody.
1:04Albert Breer: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.
1:30Rich Eisen:I'm in Miami. This is the Rich Eisen Show. First and back into the end zone. He runs it in. Live from the Rich Eisen Show studio in Los Angeles. Whoever counted us out, they're never part of the equation. Earlier on the show, actor and diehard Bears fan Ashton Kutcher. Emmy-nominated actor Dennis Leary.
1:50Albert Breer:Coming up, senior writer for the MMQB, Albert Breer. And now, it's Rich Eisen.
2:00Rich Eisen:fun friday show so far first two hours ashton kutcher and dennis leary stopped by in studio to chop things up in their world sports world and so much more 844-204-RICH number to dial every phone line is lit we love that we're going to take your phone calls as much as we can before we get out of dodge for indiana and oregon tonight to see who plays the u for the national championship and a couple of mondays obviously there's a wild card weekend to get to and a coaching carousel spinning off its axis and on all of that we welcome our buddy from sports illustrated the mmqb our friend albert breer is back on the program good to see albert how are you sir i'm good how we doing rich i'm doing great man how i don't it's so fun watching these college football games right i mean that that game last night was a blast something oh come on yeah that
2:53Albert Breer:It was not a reference to you. It was – In all seriousness. I was fine. I was – you know, I had a couple rough days thereafter, after New Year's Eve. Thanks for your concern. And then I was fine. I was able to enjoy it last night. It was fun to watch.
3:05Rich Eisen:I mean, seriously, these standalone games in the NFL and college football have been, for the most part, like games of the year. Got to watch it all the way down to the end. It's been pretty amazing. I guess let's start with the college world in relation to what we're seeing in the NFL. Are you thinking Fernando Mendoza, who plays tonight, is going to be the first overall pick? The Raiders are going to make him their next quarterback? You hearing that right now?
3:32Albert Breer:I think the Raiders will take a quarterback first overall. I think that there are two quarterbacks that are playing tonight that would be in the running. Now, I don't know for sure whether or not Dante Moore is even going to come out, right? Because there's obviously been quite a groundswell that Uncle Phil there up in Eugene could make it worth Dante Moore's while to spend another year there. I also know, and I don't follow this stuff as closely, obviously, as NFL, but it does seem like Oregon's at least had their foot in the recruitment of some quarterbacks through the portal, which might indicate that they know something.
4:10Albert Breer:So it'll be interesting to see the way that plays out. But the early indications I've gotten is that those two kids are both in the running for the first overall pick. Like, I, it's way too early. As you know, Rich, like, I make a million calls when it comes to this stuff. And I'm not, I'm not close to knowing exactly how, you know, every NFL team views these two. But the early indications I've had are that both would have a, have a shot at going first overall.
4:35Rich Eisen:So this could be a quarterback matchup tonight in Atlanta. The first two names off the board in Pittsburgh next April is what you're saying.
4:45Albert Breer:I certainly think that's in play. You know, again, like, you don't, you don't know. I mean, the difference between 1 and 10, 1 and 15, where a kid is drafted, a lot of times there can be circumstances that can be involved with that and everything else. And so until I make all the phone calls I need to make ahead of the draft, and we're talking on April 15th, I don't know that I'd say I feel fully comfortable because I don't think either of these guys are generational. The early indications I've gotten is like, if you plug these guys, into the 24 class, I don't know that either of them would be higher than the fourth quarterback taken.
5:25Albert Breer:You know, that doesn't mean they can't go first overall as we know, but like, I, I don't know that any of like, I don't think these kids, these two rise to the level of Trevor Lawrence, Andrew luck. Absolutely. No question about it. Going first overall. I think we knew on Joe Burrow, right at this point in the calendar in 2020. Right. I don't know that the NFL is that sure on either of these guys. Now, again, like both these guys sort of came out of nowhere this year. So I think there is a process of catching up on them, too. Like where, you know, with Trevor Lawrence, you know, even if they hadn't studied him in depth yet, like they did have his freshman and sophomore years where Dante Moore was a backup last year at Oregon and Fernando Mendoza was a cow.
6:13Albert Breer:And so, like, I do think that there's a process of even NFL people catching up and truly studying them, which is a lot different than watching them on TV or doing a school call.
6:23Rich Eisen:And then, of course, last night's quarterbacks, Carson Beck is out of eligibility. Right, Albert? Like, he's got to. I think he has to be. I saw he was in the same recruiting class as Bryce Young and CJ Stroud and Anthony Richardson. That's how long he's been at it, man. Right. And two of those three guys are starting playoff games this weekend.
6:43Albert Breer:for their respective two of those three guys are coming up for their fifth year option this year like those teams have to make decisions on the fifth year option well i guess uh if i'm not
6:53Rich Eisen:mistaken uh while you were in the waiting room of our of our zoom albert i think trinidad chambliss was denied his sixth year option you know so what what are i i know again we haven't studied this yet and and i have reached out to some of my colleagues in the talent evaluation world watching Chambliss play the last two weeks saying, wow, he's got some ability, but I guess he's going to be in the mix for next year too. He's been terrific. He's been great.
7:24Albert Breer:I mean, I honestly, like even Rich, like those last two throws he made to give them a chance at the end, you know, like to get them to the, I mean, what was it from like the 25 to the, to the Ole Miss 35 and two plays with one timeout. You know, I thought that was really impressive to at least give old miss like a fighting chance at, you know, at somebody going up and making a miracle play in the end zone, you know? So I think the kids got moxie. That's for sure. I think we can say he's a winner. You know, he was a huge winner, you know, at Ferris state, which no one was paying. He wasn't even supposed to be the old miss starter, you know?
8:00Albert Breer:So like, I think there's, the kids got a lot going for him. I I'd say he probably also has a good head on his shoulders knowing like, Hey, hey, if I go back to Ole Miss, I could do a little bit more in the way of development. And, you know, so I think even like the intention to go back for a year is maybe a checkmark for maturity for him. And I'll be interested to see what happens, you know. You know, I think the biggest question just looking at him play is probably size. But as far as moxie, mobility, accuracy, see those things, you know. So it'll be interesting to see what happens. But, you know, these last two games, he's been absolutely electric.
8:36Albert Breer:No question about it.
8:37Rich Eisen:Albert Breer here on the Rich Eisen Show. Let's move to the pro game, sir, in full. John Eric Sullivan, the vice president of player personnel of the Green Bay Packers, is the name chosen by the new circle of trust of Stephen Ross's in Miami for the Dolphins' new general manager. How does that inform you about John Harbaugh potentially going there or not? There doesn't seem to be much of a connection there. It doesn't mean that Harbaugh is not coming, but it seems like they made a decision based on what they think is best for the organization as a whole long term, not about trying to get Harbaugh in the mix this hiring cycle.
9:21Rich Eisen:Albert, is that a fair reading of a team here? What do you think?
9:24Albert Breer:I would just go through the timeline here. Now, a couple of weeks ago, I wrote that the one way I could see Mike McDaniel being let go would be if something changed on the coaching market and someone like Mike Tomlin or John Harbaugh became available. I don't need to take you through the connections between Stephen Ross and the Harbaugh family. That's well established, right? Like through Ross having his name on the business school at Michigan and obviously Harbaugh's history at Michigan, like that relationship's there. Steve Ross made a very spirited run at Jim Harbaugh in 2011 when he was still at Stanford.
10:02Albert Breer:Harbaugh chose to go to the Niners and had even like quietly discussed the idea of pursuing John Harbaugh in 2019 when the Ravens were in a contract negotiation with Harbaugh. And obviously that one worked out where he stayed in Baltimore. But this is something that's been on Steve Ross's mind for some time. So then on Monday, they put out requests to six general manager candidates. All six of those, John Eric Sullivan included, had some sort of connection to Mike McDaniel. Now, in Sullivan's case, it's that he worked for Matt LaFleur, who is one of Mike McDaniel's best friends. Right. Like so he has some familiarity with what Mike McDaniel was doing in Miami, all of that.
10:45Albert Breer:So they put those six requests out Monday. On Tuesday, the Chargers get the request for Chad Alexander, who, of course, works with Jim Harbaugh in L.A. and was in Baltimore for over a decade with John Harbaugh. So I think that got everybody's attention when later in the day, Baltimore winds up pulling the plug on John Harbaugh. So I think it'd be foolish not to think that John Harbaugh's availability had some sort of effect on Miami's week. And the fact that they let go of Mike McDaniel on Thursday rather than on Monday or Tuesday. That said, I think they also recognize that there's going to be competition for John Harbaugh out there.
11:30Albert Breer:And they recognize that there's no assurance that they're going to wind up landing him. And because of the way the rules are, you can't have candidates in person until after the divisional round to satisfy the Rooney rule, you have to have, and this is candidates who work for a team, right? So if it's somebody who doesn't work for a team, you can have them in now. But if they work for a team, you can't have them in until after the divisional round. And so you can't, like, unless you're really running around the Rooney rule, you can't really hire anybody until after the divisional round. So a lot has to happen between now and then, you know?
12:07Albert Breer:And so I think the Dolphins, you know, things changed in the way that they were looking at Mike McDaniel as the coaching market evolved. And Harbaugh is a part of that. And they see some more options out there for them. So, OK, like we see better options than maybe we thought there were going to be a week ago. And so we feel better about going forward with that and going with a clean slate. Troy Aikman is part of this process. And Troy Aikman, I know, has preached them alignment. Troy Aikman did really like John Eric Sullivan for whatever it's worth. and you know now i think they go in and john harbaugh is 100 a part of their equation but they know there's a chance they don't get him and so we're gonna go with the best general manager candidate and i think for them i think they like some of the other guys but john eric sullivan somebody who has a lot of the same qualities that brian gutekunst had when the packers elevated him to succeed Ted Thompson.
13:01Albert Breer:And what they were looking for in GM was a dyed-in-the-wool scout. They have a guy named Brandon Shore who they elevated from cap guy into a role like a, and I know you know Tony Pistor is in LA, right, Rich? Mike Disner in Detroit, like this three-headed monster where you have a cap slash analytics slash operations guy over here, a general manager as a scout, and a coach all reporting to the owner. So they have Brandon Shore in that role and the cap operations analytics role. You have John Eric Sullivan as kind of the head scout GM, and then you're going to have the coach report into the owner.
13:37Albert Breer:So that's the way the whole thing played out. And I know that was a little long-winded, but that's the whole story as I know.
13:42Rich Eisen:So then let's get to what does John Harbaugh want? Has he, in your reporting, Albert Breer, communicated this to anyone that has kicked a tire on him? Has he told people, beat it? I'm not interested when I do start talking the next week. Like what has he communicated to franchises that can give a fan base a little bit of hope if that's who they're looking for or to move on to somebody else? Albert, what do you got?
14:14Albert Breer:I'm not aware of any direct communication between John Harbaugh and any organization. Um, doesn't mean it hasn't happened because back channeling happens all the time and but he can he's allowed to do it i mean he's he's gone you know what i mean like he can do it he can he can and here's the thing is like if he says like i'll put it this way to you there's those agents a guy named brian harlan if if you're john harbaugh and you tell brian harlan okay you know what i was there 18 years i want to take a few days and just decompress and think about things isn't it the agent's job to try at that point to kind of go check out the
14:54Rich Eisen:landscape yeah he was out there you know i would want my agent to do that you know and and i'd also tell my agent you know why take a break you know and the agent john you you know we have an opportunity um to go here but they have a general manager who do you have in mind or they already have talked about this and yeah you know over dinner or whatever over the years that if i ever go somewhere else this is the the guy i'd want i mean that's the point you know what i mean like that it's gone viral you saw that i'm sure jackson dart the lip readers with him on the sideline fired or during the game like he's like somebody asked him who's coming to the giants to be your coach and he says harbaugh stefanski but i don't know you could absolutely read those lips so but they've got a gm there right and i don't i don't know if that would be a fit just because of that unless he does love joe shane i don't know the question is what does he want what does he want
15:53Albert Breer:just knowing what i know about john sure i'd say alignment um i think that that's really important to him meaning what what does that meaning like what he experienced in baltimore and what ozzy newsom set up for him and what he had an owner and steve basciotti and and we've both been around steve right like i think steve's a pretty good guy to work for like he has standards you know he has an idea of the way he wants his program to be. But he also is going to let everybody do their jobs. You know, like he's not an overlord at all. You know, like so like I think, you know, the like having some level of certainty and ownership is going to be important to him.
16:35Albert Breer:Here's the other thing. There's been a lot of talk about there's been a lot of talk over the last few days. Right. About what really happened in Baltimore. Here's what I would tell you that I know. OK. OK. So, John Harbaugh is a players coach. I 100%, I would say that with 100 % certainty. Because I've heard stories from his best players about how he listens to them, how he adjusts schemes for them, how he's an ideas guy. You talk to the guys who've been through there, Wink Martindale, Jesse Minter, Mike McDonald on the offensive side, guys like Greg Roman and Todd Munkin. Like, he has his hands in everything.
17:17Albert Breer:he's pushing everything forward and like he just has an idea of what he wants things to look like he wants everybody to innovate he wants everybody to be working at his pace and i think the problem there the last couple of years may not have been so much like the players are out on him as like can i push this team to be what i need it to be to run my program the way i want to run it And I think Jim's the same way, right? Like, I think Jim is a player's coach, too. I think Jim requires a certain type of player, though. You know, like there's a type of player who can play for Jim Harbaugh. And I think when he got to the Chargers, he found it.
17:58Albert Breer:Justin Herbert, Joe Alt, Rashawn Slater. Derwin James is like one of his favorite players ever. And those guys set the pace for him. So I think having a place where he can look at it and say, I can line it up the way I want to run it, you know? And I think for him, that's not only going to include research about the general manager and the owner. I think it's going to include research on the players on hand. Like, so does he look at the giants and say, I can get Malik neighbors and Abdul Carter and Brian Burns and Dexter Lawrence and Jackson dart, the guys that are going to be there. Can I get, can I push them the way I need to push them?
18:38Albert Breer:and can I get them to be the torchbearers for what I'm trying to build? I think that's part of the equation for John.
18:44Rich Eisen:Well, what happened in Baltimore where he wasn't able to push the same guys anymore? You know what I mean? That's a fair follow-up here, Albert, where it's just 18 years. It's not like all of us. There are some guys there that have been there for years, and the quarterback is clearly one of them. Was there something going on between the two of those guys? He loves the quarterback.
19:06Albert Breer:He says that to anybody who will listen. Sure. If he winds up in Miami and all of a sudden Lamar Jackson is available for trade, I'm not going to do the Brian Windhorse thing here. And I love Wendy. But, I mean, I think he'd be interested. You know, like I don't think – like I think would he have loved Lamar to have been there more in the offseason? Absolutely. And that's part of what I'm talking about as far as torchbearers go, right? Like, I just I think like for them to run the program they wanted to run, you know, you really do need like a high level of buy in. And again, like I I just think for most of John Harbaugh's 18 years, he had that, you know, and like and I you can go through the names, Ray Lewis, Ed Reed.
19:59Albert Breer:more recently guys like C.J. Mosley Eric Weddle there were guys that were Anquan Bolden you knew what a Raven was and so I think he would be looking for that same type of player and they have a really good roster, I don't know that they had that percentage of guys that were that way the same way they might have a couple years ago
Read the full transcript
20:23Rich Eisen:Alright, before I let you go Albert Breer I throw open the wild card weekend floor to you what what leaps out at you storylines uh headlines wide ass open rich
20:37Albert Breer:yeah yeah it is isn't it i mean no lamar jackson no joe burrow no patrick mahomes yep right so i mean in the afc like this is the first time i can remember where you could legitimately look at one conference's bracket, would it surprise you if the three wildcard teams advanced?
20:58Rich Eisen:I was saying to Chris the other day on our overreaction Monday pod that all six road teams could possibly win.
21:05Albert Breer:So the Panthers would be, well, no, the Panthers are home.
21:08Rich Eisen:You're right. You know that the Rams, Niners, Packers. Yeah, all six could. Chargers, Bills, Texans win. Now that's entirely possible, which is what made having a bye week this year may be more important than rest or getting one rung up the ladder ahead of everyone else like you are avoiding this fray um obviously six road wins would be um really off the charts but this season has been um and in terms of what you just said of who's not in the afc playoffs that's why everybody's looking at josh allen say okay you're now on the clock but his hands are full we had Liam Cohen on as our first guest of the week on Monday.
21:53Rich Eisen:He has absolutely dialed in this team over the last two months. Unbelievable. Where they are, they are 100 % a threat to make it to Santa Clara and win it all. They really are, Albert, you know?
22:08Albert Breer:And I think like, it's a good example of how we all like make early judgments and then become married to that, that those judgments on quarterbacks too. Cause I think Trevor Lawrence has steadily gotten better. over the course of the year, right? So you look at them, opportunistic defense. Under Anthony Campanelli, they've taken the ball away at an incredible rate, right? They're really solid on the lines of scrimmage. They've got skilled players now. Brian Thomas hasn't been what they thought they'd be. Travis Hunter's hurt. But look at the amount of guys in that roster that are having career years.
22:44Albert Breer:Josh Hines-Allen's having a great year. Parker Washington has been huge down the stretch. um you know lloyd keep going lloyd's had a career year travis etienne looks like a real weapon and then you have the quarterback and like i think it's a great example of you know how we make these judgments on these guys and we become married to them and then we're not willing to move off of them like a guy can't grow you know and i sort of look at it like you know baker mayfield when he got in a better situation really took off or sam donald gets in better situations and we see who he can be. I think we're sort of seeing that with Trevor now.
23:19Albert Breer:And the wild card with Trevor to me is he actually does have a lot of big game experience. And we have seen him on big stages. And he's generally played really well, right? Now, a big piece of that was in college, but he came back from 27 down in his second year in the NFL and beat the Chargers in the wild card round and then correct me if I'm wrong they put up a pretty good fight the next week against the Chiefs too right in the in the divisional round so I think Trevor and his big game experience makes them dangerous I think like I mean look like I I could see the Chargers going into New England and winning I could see I could see the Bills going to Jacksonville wing like you said I could see it the other way like it's just there's so much like the whole thing is wide open you know and so and that does and you're right like I think that's a great point you bring up Like how much pressure is there on the bills people now?
24:15Albert Breer:Because Josh Allen is now in a playoff bracket where there's no Mahomes hurdle that they have to clear. You know, it does put more pressure on those guys, too, because it's kind of like one of those. If not now, then when types of questions.
24:27Rich Eisen:So then let me finish up in the two minutes I have left with you. Anybody coaching for their jobs this weekend based on what we've seen this past week where the unpredictable happened so many times.
24:39Albert Breer:So there are two I would just kind of throw out there. Like, it's just questions. I don't think either of these guys are getting fired. Right. But, like, you know, you heard some stuff. Could Mike Tomlin go to TV for a year? Right. And I think, like, I've taken you through this before. Older players, Rodgers, Hayward, you know, Watt, Ramsey. Like, they've got a bunch of guys where if those guys all walk away at once, and I don't think TJ will, but the other guys all could, right? But if like now you're talking about going through a serious retooling, could Mike Tomlin look at that and say, this is the natural point for me to step away?
25:16Albert Breer:I don't want to go through a three or four year rebuild. Or maybe I can go into TV for a year and then a year from now walk into a situation that's more ready made. I guess that's possible. I don't think it's likely, but I guess that would be possible still. And then there's Matt LaFleur, where there's a new team president there in Ed Policy who took over for Mark Murphy in the summer. He was internal, so he does know Matt LaFleur very well, but they've got a contract negotiation coming up. And so, you know, if that contract negotiation isn't in a great place right after the season, if you're Matt Ryan in Atlanta, who, by the way, Matt LaFleur was his position coach when they went to the Super Bowl, do you pick up the phone and make a phone call and say, like, hey, is he at all available?
26:00Albert Breer:If you're John Eric Sullivan, he just got to Miami and you don't get John Harbaugh, Do you pick up the phone and say, look, like we're willing to go a certain distance to get this guy? Are you willing to listen? That's the other one where just because of the contract situation, I don't think they're unhappy with him. But because of the contract situation, they could get some calls from some teams where it's like, is this guy available? And it'd be interesting to see what the result was.
26:23Rich Eisen:And of course, he could beat the Bears and go on a run. That just right. Which brings full circle that this is wide ass open, as Albert Breer said right here on Disney Plus. How dare you? All right, man. I'm sorry, are there new rules now? It's okay. Good to see you, bud. Thanks again, man.
26:39Albert Breer:All right, thanks, Rich.
26:39Rich Eisen:Albert Bray, everybody. Follow him on every social you can. And, of course, read his material in Sports Illustrated, the MMQB. Let's take a break. 844-204-RICH, number to dial your phone calls, and we break down the wild card weekend, baby.
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28:46Rich Eisen:Choose Rain-X Latitude wiper blades at your local O 'Reilly Auto Parts store or online at OReillyAuto.com. The Rich Eisen Show Podcast. Back here on the Disney Plus ESPN app and ESPN radio simulcast, all one big happy family. Derek in Missouri, one of our long times as well. Line one, Mikey, what's up, Derek? How you been?
29:13Albert Breer:Oh, I'm good, Rich. Just getting anxious and ready for some playoff football this weekend and to see who will be coming down to Denver a week from this either Saturday or Sunday. So really fascinating to see who comes out on top and see the team smack you tear in the mouth. And if anything, I'm looking forward more to the AFC side of things just because, not because of who Denver might face, but these matchups, Rick, you got on the AFC of things, these are matches he didn't have in the regular season. So anything's possible, in my opinion. I mean, it could go either way. And, yeah, I mean, you can look at it.
29:50Albert Breer:All three road teams could potentially win. I mean, but for that to happen, you know, Josh Allen's got to be 100 % healthy. And, you know, they might have to rely more on James Cook to run the ball and on the Chargers and Patriots side of things. I could see maybe if Justin Herbert can't get protected by that all line of his, they're done for. They can't stand a chance. And protect the Texans and the Steelers on Monday night. it's going to depend on who makes less mistakes more than anything, I think.
30:23Rich Eisen:Well, greatly appreciate Derek in Missouri setting us up for a conversation about the wild card weekend. It's Derek here on the Rich Eisen Show. And for you Bronco fans, leave this up on the screen if you don't mind. We'll have to wait till Sunday to begin to figure out who might be coming to your building for divisional playoff weekend. The Seahawks fans might not have to wait too long because Saturday, the doubleheader are both NFC matchups. Now, the Rams and the Panthers will have at it first. If the Packers win Saturday night, then we already know. bust out the uh the video of what the fail mary for regular season contests or for the um playoff contest the nfc championship game where there was an onside kick that didn't go green bay's way speaking of which right the um the uh replay happened in a way for the packers recently and not getting an onside kick against the Bears, which is why they're visiting the Bears this weekend in many different ways.
31:37Rich Eisen:You have the Al Harris pick six of Matthew, right? We're going to get the ball. We're going to score. Get that all ready. Obviously, if the Rams and the Bears win, let's put it that way, then the Seahawks fans will have to wait all the way till Sunday afternoon to find out if the Niners are coming their way. and if the Eagles win that game, then it'll be the Rams or Panthers heading to Seattle. That's the way it's going to work out for the Seahawks fans to see how it all shakes out for them. For the Broncos fans, they're going to have to, as I said, wait all the way till Sunday, and let's just say the Jaguars beat the Bills.
32:25Rich Eisen:Then they're going to wait till Sunday Night Football. If the Chargers beat the Patriots on the spot, we know we'll get part three of Broncos Chargers or really part two, because the Chargers didn't start Justin Herbert in week 18. The Chargers did beat the Broncos early on in the season in week three to send me or pardon me, week two. No, week three. It was week three because I remember the Chargers played the Chiefs in Brazil then went to Vegas on a Monday night and then came home to take on the Broncos and they started the season 3-0 beating the Broncos who had just lost to the Colts on a leverage penalty that cost them the game because the Colts had lost on a kick and then we all know what happened next.
33:11Rich Eisen:if the Bills win that game and the Patriots beat the Chargers on Sunday night, then the Bills are going to head to Denver. And I've been told this is why the league wants a 4-5 game on Monday night is that a lot of divisional playoff matchups could be laid out for you on Sunday night and the 4-5 game is just one game going to one seed as opposed to, well, if it's a 3-6, all sorts of stuff can happen. There's a lot of if-butts and candies and nuts that the league does not want to be announced on Sunday Night Football on the end of Wild Card Sunday. And in terms of the Texans and the Steelers, last we saw Aaron Rodgers in the playoffs.
34:00Rich Eisen:Want to take a guess off the top of your head? He didn't make it with the Jets, and he didn't make it his last year with Green Bay either. Yeah, he was losing to Tom Brady, right? Nope. That happened the year before. He lost to San Francisco in the snow. Oh. And if you remember, there was one throw, I think, Rodgers, I forget who he had open, but he had somebody open. Was it MVS? In that game? And everybody's pointing out that Rodgers doesn't play as well in the snow, that the LeFleur offense isn't equipped for the cold weather. yeah that's uh you sometimes forget the silly narratives when it's replaced by silly narratives well that those teams weren't built for the cold weather i think they were true no that's the last time we've seen rogers in the playoffs and he's lost two in a row because the year before they lost to brady in in the nfc championship game wasn't there a weird muff
34:57Albert Breer:punt in that game. It was 13-10 final.
35:01Rich Eisen:Yes, there was a lot of weird stuff that happened in that game. Last time Rodgers won a playoff game is when he had the Rams in his house leading up to that game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Bufanga blocked the punt and scored a touchdown.
35:17Albert Breer:That's right. Tied the game at 10. Four and a half minutes left.
35:21Rich Eisen:Rodgers' last playoff win, 32-18 against the Rams and Aaron Donald. and then the next year the Rams won the Super Bowl. So Rodgers is back in the playoffs, everybody, and it's a home game for him in Pittsburgh. He had this to say about being back in win-or-go home time.
35:37Albert Breer:At 6-6, there are a lot of people thinking we were going to be kind of stumbling to the finish, and then who knows what was going to happen. A lot of you probably in this group, either publicly or privately, we're talking about Mike Teague next. So it feels good to shut all those comments down. One thing I really love, and it's kind of the antithesis of where I was,
35:59Rich Eisen:is there's not really any leaks in the boat.
36:03Albert Breer:Every year you have difficulties and adversity, both on the field and off the field.
36:08Rich Eisen:And to go through a season like this and to be able to focus on football and not have a lot of other little **** out there has been really nice. so rogers coming in with uh his edge and it's a home night in cold pittsburgh and that texans defense is no joke guys i saw it again with my own two eyes a couple of weeks ago yes that's going to be a fun one so um it's possible that the patriots win on sunday night and the jaguars win to start Sunday, and the winner of that game is who goes to Denver. We know Denver had a tough go of it against Houston, but did prevail in one of those games where the offense was struggling all over the map, and then they won it at the end.
37:02Rich Eisen:And obviously, Aaron Rodgers going to Denver with the Pittsburgh Steelers would be just off the charts, man. Off the charts. Looks like you have something on your mind over there. I don't know. I told Brock this this morning, and he told me I was crazy. That you think the Steelers are going to go on a run. You really feel that way? The kid who once upon a time got that gig at the Foot Locker. You can't quit your roots is what you're saying, right? I think, and I'm struggling. Is it that that's pulling me in that direction? Is it just that? Or is it like, do I really look at these teams in the playoffs and can't pick one that I think is standing out and going to go to the Super Bowl?
37:45Rich Eisen:and they're my de facto. I'm still not sure yet. Well, I think it could be a little bit of both, but it is the fact that there is nobody out there, okay, that is dominant going in. And as I said, the one issue for Seattle at the end of the day is not the fact that, well, it's Sam Darnold's playoffs to win by holding on to the football. if he doesn't turn it over look out that's not what i'm saying what i'm saying is you could say that about pretty much every other team trevor lawrence fields on the football justin herbert's gotta not throw all those interceptions that he did against houston last year right and those are just two off the top of my head we could we could truly fill in the blank if brock purdy doesn't hold doesn't turn it over if jalen hurts doesn't turn it over but hurts has at least gotten some run in the playoffs and had two of his greatest games in the biggest game we can hold in the United States of America and export to the world.
38:53Rich Eisen:Every team has a flaw. Of course. But what I'm saying is you're not sitting here saying if Rodgers holds on to the football lookout. That's not the question. That's not the question. If Rodgers can be protected, right? Because Rodgers isn't going to be making the stupid mistake. He doesn't take chances. Well, because he's smart. He knows exactly about how you don't go broke making a profit. And he also knows what the experience is that he has outside the lines, I mean, outside the numbers with his current roster, the issues that he may have in pushing the ball down the field and knowing how to actually get yourself in position and don't make the stupid mistake in the red zone.
39:34Rich Eisen:and then on top of it, neck up. That part. They better, with that superb defense, come with their T's crossed and I's dotted and everything buttoned up. Because he's – I mean, you're not – and that's the thing is that Houston doesn't have to fool you. They'll just say, okay, we got our shutdown corners. Both of them. And we got our edge rushers, and good luck. but honestly you you're not sitting here and saying about rogers um just don't turn it over that's that's he's a game manager in a different way normally that don't turn it over you're saying you're a game manager just managed the game he manages the game neck up in a way that better than anyone left truly head and shoulders above anyone left with all due respect to everyone left.
40:29Rich Eisen:Good QBs there. And obviously Allen's got the neck down on top of it. So does Herbert. So does Lawrence. So does Nix. That's what they have above Rodgers. Rodgers is not escaping the pocket like he used to. So yeah, I think that's it, Rich. I'm just like, I'm looking at this. I don't blame you. This dude, man, there's just something about him right now that just makes me. And the next time we come on the air for a full three hours, we'll know everybody else who's in and what the Texans and the Steelers mean for the AFC playoffs because the NFC playoff divisional round will be set by Sunday Night Football.
41:09Rich Eisen:First two games of Wild Card Weekend are NFC. Last two are AFC. We'll take a break and get you set for Wild Card Weekend with more of your phone calls here on this fun Friday.
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43:04Rich Eisen:The Rich Eisen Show, the podcast. Back here on The Rich Eisen Show, LinkedIn Jobs is stepping things up with their new AI assistant so you can feel confident you're finding top talent in hiring, right? The first time. Get this, employees hired through LinkedIn are 30 % more likely to stick around for at least a year compared to those hired through the leading competitor. Get started by posting your job for free at linkedin.com slash eisen. That's linkedin.com slash eisen to post your job for free. Terms and conditions apply. Wild card weekend starts with Rams and Panthers. We saw this just a few weeks ago.
43:45Rich Eisen:Panthers took care of the Rams. And the Rams left licking their wounds. Now here they come back. Part and parcel of them coming back because they didn't win that game. Anybody here? Bueller taking the Panthers. Anybody? Bueller? Bueller? No. Bueller? It's going to be close, but no. Bueller? No? That's a no? No. Okay. Great. I'm not either. The night game. No disrespect. Packers and the Bears. I so want to choose the Packers here just because it's so possible. Oh, I am. You are? Yeah. You're taking the Packers? For sure. You've been Mr. Bears all year long. I have been, but the Bears have a Chiefs element to them of a year ago
44:30Albert Breer:where they won a lot of games probably they shouldn't have, and I think that kind of evens out and comes home to risk.
44:35Rich Eisen:TJ? Well, to piggyback off what he said, the Chiefs rode that to a Super Bowl. Yes. They lost, but they still rode it. I'm not a Packer fan, and I have too many Bears fans, so I got to go with the Bears. Well, I think I'm going to, again, I'm going to have to choose this tomorrow. Yeah. Because I'm on game day morning for four and a half hours leading up to kickoff of Rams-Panthers. You know, I'm leaning towards the Packers right now. Ooh. I really am. You know, they were up 16-3, right? With a few minutes to go. Yeah. All right. Sunday. So, Rich, can I just preface? I did pick the pack to go to the Super Bowl at the beginning.
45:16Rich Eisen:Okay. You're off him. I picked him to win. Jaguars, Bills. Chris? No, Jacksonville. TJ? I'm going to go with the Jaguars. I am, too. I'm sorry, Hoskins. Yeah, I'm sorry. I am, too. That's literally a coin toss for me. The Bills win. Dude, that's an all-world quarterback and his great running back and a defense that suddenly just shows up and stiffens up. I just think Trevor Lawrence might be the hottest QB right now. The Jaguars are so good right now. I'm worried this game might not be close. That's why I chose it to be the opportunity for a blowout. There's no way it's a blowout. Eagles, Niners, what do you got, Christopher?
45:57Rich Eisen:I'm also worried this game's not going to be close. Fly, Eagles, fly. What do you got, TJ? I hate them both, but I hate the Niners slightly less, so I'm picking the Niners. I think I've been on an Eagles train, and I know I chose the Niners as the number one seed, but that was when they were going to be at home. They're going to be at home. They're not now. And the Bang Bang Niners gang has been great in these games in recent past, but I think that this is now rubber meeting the road, and that's a defending Super Bowl champs. I do think the Eagles win this one. Night game. I know you're a patriot.
46:33Rich Eisen:What do you got over there, TJ? This is going to be a good one. I'm twitching in the direction, too. I'm going to have to go with Brockman on this one. I'm going to have to go with the pass. I know. I can't go home again if I choose the Chargers. I'm twitching in the direction. When the Chargers get their linemen back and help next year. I'm concerned about Hampton. It's going to be a problem, though. He says he's playing. I know that. He got unlimited today. Stay tuned on Sunday's show. This is not a great matchup for your pass, Matt. It just isn't. Well, it's not a great matchup for Chargers either.
47:07Rich Eisen:Okay. And then we'll talk Monday's game on Monday. Oh, you don't want to pick it now? Go ahead. Go ahead. I'm worried about Houston's offensive line. I'll just leave it at that. I've already said it's a Berg thing, so go Steelers. Okay. Stay tuned Monday. Stay tuned Monday. Because we're out of time.
47:27Albert Breer:I mean, we're technically not, though.
47:29Rich Eisen:We still have. I might have to choose this on Sunday's show, too. Damn it. Great week, everybody, right here on ESPN Radio. We're wrapping up on Disney Plus in a sec. Thanks for listening to the Rich Eisen Show podcast. You can watch and listen to the Rich Eisen Show live weekdays from noon to 3 Eastern on ESPN Radio, Disney Plus, and on the ESPN app. The Rich Eisen Show, the podcast.
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From the publisher
Sports Illustrated/The MMQB’s Albert Breer and Rich discuss if Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza or Oregon’s Dante Moore could go #1 overall in the NFL Draft, the draft stock of Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss, the chances of the Miami Dolphins hiring John Harbaugh, what the former Ravens head coach is looking for in his next job, explains why this is the most wide-open NFL playoffs field he’s seen in recent memory, and lays out the scenarios in which Mike Tomlin and Matt LaFleur are not coaching the Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers next season.
Rich previews the keys to who wins each NFL Wild Card round game.
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