In short
Week 6 NFL overreactions—Chiefs’ resurgence, Lions’ concerns, Jets’ coaching/QB questions, Baker Mayfield MVP push, Patriots’ Drake Mayfield momentum, Ravens’ “tank?” debate, plus Colts and Giants/Cowboys/Eagles NFC East chatter.
Guests
Chris Brockman (co-host/analyst; former NFL media voice; seen discussing games he watched in London and stats/strategy). Rich Eisen (host; not a guest).
Key claims
- Chiefs look like the AFC’s elite again: 0 penalties vs Lions, 95 points last three games, Mahomes MVP-level, Rashee Rice impact.
- Lions still best NFC team despite loss; Chiefs exploited small mistakes.
- Jets should not bench Justin Fields; Aaron Glenn on “one-and-done” watch after 0-6 loss vs Denver; Tyrod Taylor not the answer.
- Baker Mayfield is MVP; Bucs are NFC 1-seed at 5-1 even missing Evans/Godwin/others.
- Patriots’ Drake Maye is real; Patriots above .500 and could contend.
- Ravens should not tank; Lamar Jackson and Roquan Smith returning after bye; schedule is winnable.
- Colts are “for real” despite weaker opponents.
- Giants’ Malik Nabers/“Scadaboo” (Dealt with as a standout) is outperforming early Saquon Barkley production; Eagles receiver disconnect.
Notable examples
- Chiefs’ two-halftime TD swing after Lions’ dropped chance (Amon-Ra St. Brown catch on 4th down).
- Baker Mayfield finding Tez Johnson and Cameron Johnson; third-down conversions with scrambling.
- Jets’ fake punt clock mismanagement; Fields sacked repeatedly.
- Patriots’ win over Saints despite officiating issues.
- Ravens’ argument tied to 2015/2018 comeback precedents.
- Colts’ wins over Miami/Tennessee/Raiders; Jonathan Taylor red-zone scoring.
Written by AI. May contain mistakes. Listen to the episode to check what was said.
Chapters
Tap a time to open that second in VOChiefs' Performance and Future Prospects
1:26 to 5:46
A detailed analysis of the Chiefs' recent performances and potential for the season.
“And, of course, maybe you're taking this show in like you take every podcast with your ears where all podcasts can be acquired as well.”
Concerns About the Lions' Performance
5:46 to 9:07
Discussion on the Lions' recent struggles and their future in the NFC.
“over the last three weeks in a way that should scare much of the rest of the league.”
Concerns about the Jets and Quarterback Decisions
9:07 to 14:02
Critical analysis of the Jets' struggles and potential quarterback changes.
“Let's talk about one of the teams that you saw Sunday in London.”
Discussion on Team Struggles
14:02 to 14:14
Exploring the current issues faced by a struggling NFL team.
“This is an overreaction to Rod Taylor is not the answer.”
Discussion on Team Struggles
14:44 to 15:01
Exploring the current issues faced by a struggling NFL team.
Baker Mayfield's MVP Performance
15:07 to 19:02
Analyzing Baker Mayfield's impressive play this season.
“Man, he is maybe the most fun player to watch on a weekly basis in the National Football League.”
Patriots' Potential and Drake May
19:03 to 21:41
Discussing the Patriots' season and Drake May's contributions.
“So this is not an overreaction, and I'm sure you knew that was going to be my answer.”
Baltimore Ravens' Struggles
21:41 to 22:41
Debating whether the Ravens should consider tanking for the draft.
“And there are some highly winnable games for you.”
Ravens' Future and Possible Solutions
22:41 to 28:00
Examining the Ravens' future and discussing potential trades.
“You know, my wife, my brother-in-law, my in-laws, my son.”
Evaluating the Colts' Performance
28:30 to 32:48
A deep dive into the Colts' recent wins and their opponents' strengths.
“Getting help from one of State Farm's 19 ,000 local agents when you choose to bundle home and auto.”
Show all 12 chapters
Giants and Scadaboo's Rise
32:48 to 36:54
Discussing the impact of rookie Scadaboo on the Giants and comparing him to Saquon Barkley.
“All right, two more, Rich, and then we'll send you on your good London day.”
Eagles' Struggles and NFC East Outlook
36:54 to 39:50
Analyzing the Eagles' performance and potential contenders in the NFC East.
“All right, last one, and let's go to the other side of that.”
Transcript
Automatic transcript. May contain errors.0:00Are all batteries the same? That's like asking if all soccer players are the same. Take Messi, the most decorated player ever. Is there any other player who has achieved that? No, just him. Now take Duracell. Is there any other battery with Power Boost ingredients inside? No, just Duracell. Remember, goats only trust goats because they're built different. And Messi only trusts Duracell.
0:33Rich Eisen:All right, welcome to this first ever international transatlantic edition of Over Reaction Monday here on a week six Monday with two games left on a Monday night football doubleheader. I'm in London, Rich Eisen. Chris Brockman back in the Rich Eisen Show Los Angeles studios. Good to see you, Christopher. How are you, sir? Good to see you, Rich. What's up, man? Fresh off of a Jet Bronco game that wasn't so fresh. It was played. It happened. It happened. Yeah, it was a thing that happened. Getting set to call Rams-Jaguars on Sunday, so I'm hanging here in London for the week. You and TJ are making it out here to do the Thursday, Friday, Rich Eisen shows, but we need to get right to Overreaction Monday here, whether you're watching it on our YouTube channel, over a million subscribers now.
1:17Rich Eisen:We appreciate every million of you. Or you're watching it here on ESPN2. Let's hit it. Go for it. That was terrible. That was crap. That was garbage. This place sucks. Overreaction. Mondays. Monday. And, of course, maybe you're taking this show in like you take every podcast with your ears where all podcasts can be acquired as well. All right, Christopher, what's on your mind, sir? What do you got for me? We'll get to the game that you saw over in London in a second, but I want to start with Sunday night football, those two teams. Your Super Bowl teams, if I'm not mistaken. I want to start with Kansas City.
1:55Man, they really were impressive Sunday night. Patrick Mahomes is playing once again at an MVP-type level. He has been awesome this year. And the Chiefs are going to make the AFC Championship game for the eighth straight season.
2:07Rich Eisen:I still think, as much as I'd love to say that's a proper reaction, we're still too soon. Really? We're still too early. We're still too early to say that. You know, how the Bills can potentially make it against the Colts or somebody else from the AFC West or the Steelers is entirely possible. Could somebody else crash the party from any of those divisions? Yes. But I'll tell you what, man, the Chiefs, the way that they have played since starting 0-2, looks a lot like the Chiefs that we have come to know and fear for much of the rest of the AFC. And, you know, it was the first time they committed zero penalties in a game since week 10 of 2022.
2:59Rich Eisen:Wow. This is a Chiefs team that scored 95 points over the last three games. That's the most in the three-game span within a season since the final three games of 2021. When we also know they made the AFC Championship game. And Mahomes has just been, as you pointed out, on fire. His second game of the season with four or more offensive touchdowns, yet only one such game in the two previous seasons combined. So we are seeing that offense that we're used to seeing from the Kansas City Chiefs that is a load to handle, and now here comes Rasheed Rice to add to it. Again, the fact that Mahomes still leads this team in rushing and is now taking hits and delivering hits on rushes is exactly the sort of thing they need to avoid.
3:50Rich Eisen:I don't know if the rumors that you're hearing that they're looking for a runner in the trade market that maybe Alvin Kamara could be that guy if the Saints keep losing. And if that happens, then that could be sort of like the McCaffrey trade turbocharging the Niners those years ago. So I totally understand the spirit in which You're mentioning this, Chris Jones showed up. Clearly what happened at the end of that Monday night game where he stood there like Ashton Gentry waiting for a snap while Trevor Lawrence was stumbling around on the ground looking for his car keys coming out of the bar after too much to drink, hopefully to pass them to a friend.
4:30Rich Eisen:So bottom line is Jones is clearly sparked by that Monday night moment, and they look terrific. They took care of the Lions, and I'll just say this because I'm going to say it on the flagship show later on when we air on Disney Plus and ESPN app everywhere. That could have been a Super Bowl preview for sure. And I called it before the season that I think that that is going to be the Super Bowl 60 matchup. And I was watching that last night thinking to myself, take mental notes because the Lions made the small mistakes that the Chiefs took advantage of, which is another reason why you should feel good about the Chiefs moving forward in the way that you give me a topic, Barb.
5:12Rich Eisen:But to say that they're going to make it all the way to the final two of the AFC based on being 3-3, we just, even as much as I love being right, I'm pumping the brakes on this one right now. Wow, okay. The way that others are playing. Interesting. The way that others are playing. And I know that we're doing this coming off of a Bills loss. The Bills can potentially boat race the Falcons tonight. Sure, sure. And in two weeks when the Chiefs go visit them, in a couple games for the Chiefs, suddenly this whole idea is reversed. So I'll just pump the brakes on it, but the Chiefs do look terrific over the last three weeks in a way that should scare much of the rest of the league.
5:50Yeah, and I think in the last couple of years it was offense. They didn't score more than 21, 22 points a game. You've seen that with the 90-plus in the last three games. And they just weathered the storm without Rasheed Rice kind of mix and matching this wide receiver core. They haven't been getting much out of the run game, but Isaiah Pacheco has looked really good the last two weeks. They're getting more out of the rookie. And Kelsey just had his best game of the year. Yeah, Kelsey just had his best game of the year. Yeah, seems to have shaken the rust off from the offseason. So, yeah, I just think they look pretty good.
6:18Moving on. Moving on. Let's go to the other side. I think it's time to be worried about the Lions. The real Lions showed up in Kansas City. They're going to be lucky to be a wild card team. That's absurd. That's positively absurd. Now I'm going to push back on that. Big game golf showed up Sunday night, Rich.
6:34Rich Eisen:You know, at big game golf, the Lions just had, by this loss on Sunday night, the longest win streak of primetime games snapped. They just had the longest Sunday night football game streak of winning streaks snapped. Yeah, regular season. Regular season. I understand, but this is big game golf wins big games. And I understand in the postseason last year it wasn't that good when they got one and done by Washington. Listen, that fourth down play in the second quarter where the Lions went for it right around midfield and the ball hit Amon Ross St. Brown in the hands as the typical Spagnuolo pass rush on a fourth down was coming right for Goff.
7:16Rich Eisen:He made a terrific throw and it hit Amon Ross right in the hands. And as soon as he dropped that, I thought to myself, if this is the Chiefs team that we're used to seeing over the past few years, then they're going to take advantage of it. Sure enough, touchdown before halftime, touchdown after halftime, and the game was totally flipped. So, again, you just have to tip your cap. The Chiefs team that sees the mistakes by another team committed against them, and they take advantage of it. We didn't see that Chiefs team in the first three weeks, and we didn't see it on occasion on the Monday night loss in Jacksonville.
7:52Rich Eisen:So I'm just going to chalk this up to they can't win them all, and they certainly are going to be a better team at home and they're certainly going to be a better team at home against other teams that they're going to have to beat, including Green Bay. We'll see. That's going to be a big moment on Thanksgiving and that Green Bay tie against the Dallas Cowboys might come home to roost against them because even if they sweep the Lions, the Lions might be able to win enough regular season games because of that tie to just have a better record at the end of the season anyway. Anyway, I'm concerned about the, once again, the injuries on defense beginning to mount for the Lions.
8:30Rich Eisen:But it was once again another night in which there was a mistake made against the Chiefs and it was used against them. And them being the Detroit Lions. I'm just going to chalk that up and say the Lions are still, in my mind, the best team in the NFC. And we'll see this put on the line next week against an equally banged up team now on offense in Tampa Bay. that's now 5-1 and atop the NFC right now. So I'm going to sit here and just pull back and say, by the end of the year, I think the Lions are going to be the team to beat in the NFC. Just last night, that team didn't show up for all four quarters.
9:11Okay, Rich. Let's talk about one of the teams that you saw Sunday in London. Look, I'm worried about Aaron Glenn. I feel like he's on one-and-done watch right now with the Jets at 0-6. But he's got to do something. And I think what he needs to do is bench Justin Fields, start Tyrod Taylor to inject a little life into the winless season.
9:32Rich Eisen:Well, I don't know how that would be helpful. They've got to – listen, it was brutal. I saw it with my own two eyes. And even towards the end of the first half, the way that the Jets went for it on a fake punt to get a fresh set of downs only to start running the football again with mere ticks left on the clock, having no timeouts left. And then that one was on Aaron Glenn in the fact that I understand he didn't want to go for it on fourth down and give the football back to Denver, which did have one timeout remaining to potentially kick something from 60 yards and get three more points on the board for the opponent.
10:10Rich Eisen:But if you are going to just take the clock down to zeros, certainly after you just fake punted, what you should do on fourth down with the clock going down to zeros is at least launch a Hail Mary. Right. I mean, that one I just didn't understand that they just went into the locker room. Like, if you were taking it down to just mere seconds to go and you're going to throw a Hail Mary, that makes 100 % complete sense. But they didn't. They just didn't even take the shot down the field, and it makes you wonder. I looked at Kurt Warner. And Kurt was just wondering, if you're paying this guy$20 million a year, you should just cut it loose with him.
10:51Rich Eisen:Certainly when you've got the top receiver in the AFC in Garrett Wilson. Now, the problem with that on Sunday was that the reigning defensive player of the year, Patrick Sertan, wasn't traveling with Garrett Wilson, but he was lined up against him quite a bit. And there's really no number two option on that team other than Mason Taylor. And he's a rookie that they took straight out or Brees Hall. And that just wasn't working on Sunday because Denver might just wind up being the best defense we're going to see all year long in 2025. They're sacking everybody at a remarkable rate. And Justin Fields, you know, it looked like he was lost, completely lost out on that Tottenham field on Sunday.
11:36Rich Eisen:But where did the guy in week one against a defense that has been sacking everybody over the last few weeks at similar rate of Denver in Pittsburgh? Where is that guy? That guy still exists in there. He just wasn't getting rid of the ball. I mean, I don't know. What did he end up taking? Eight, nine sacks, something like that? Nine sacks in the game. Let's design some quick throws, like some quick hitter layups. Like, let's go. Where were those? Great question. Nine sacks, nine attempts on the day. I mean, pardon me. Nine completions, right? Nine completions. Nine completions, 12 attempts. 17 attempts, pardon me.
12:13Rich Eisen:and nine sacks taken. Dude, they're 0-6. What season are you saving right now? You're not saving any season. You've got to keep playing Justin Fields just to get him. Well, if you're Aaron Glenn, you've got to be saving your job. There's no job for him. If the Jets won and done him, it's not like he's incompetent. Being around him and being around the team, they buy into what he's selling right now. I mean, even when Garrett Wilson was demonstrative and animated going into the locker room, and rightfully so. He put his arm around the coach. You know, I mean, I don't think it's – I mean, who knows when it gets to 0-12 if that happens.
12:54Rich Eisen:But Justin Fields is either the way through the rest of the season or, you know, he's a guy that they can finally figure out what to do with and he can get enough snaps under his belt. Last year he went 4-2 with the Steelers, and then he got benched. so he just doesn't get enough consistent playing time, and I know it looked ugly, but Terod Taylor is not what the Jets need to do right now. Period, end of story. Unless Fields just looks completely lost against a team that isn't putting a pass rush, and he starts seeing ghosts, Garrett Wilson's going to have an MRI, and hopefully it's nothing significant.
13:31Rich Eisen:But the Jets have Carolina coming in, and Carolina, as we know, turned their season around or towards an uptick, but they play poorly on the road. So we'll see what happens there. And then they're at Cincinnati before a bye and home for Cleveland. These are some winnable games that they should be able to take care of at home if they can actually start matriculating the ball. They played well enough on defense for a team that had the second-worst points per game given up. They held Bo Nix to just 13. I mean, that game was winnable, clearly. They just didn't have any juice. They had nothing. But again, they're 0-6.
14:06Rich Eisen:This is an overreaction to Rod Taylor is not the answer. As you know, managing maintenance, repair, and operations is never easy. But for the ones who always rise to the challenge, Granger has your back. From professional-grade products you can count on to fast, dependable delivery, they're there to help you keep things running smoothly. Plus, their technical product specialists are here to help answer your toughest questions. And because Granger knows safety is always a priority, they're committed to being your partner in protecting both your people and your facilities. Call 1-800-GRANGER Click granger.com or just stop by This episode is brought to you by Google Chrome You think you know a browser but Gemini and Chrome?
14:46That's new It can help you with practically anything on the web like restoring a vintage motorcycle from a 50-page restoration block or finally break down that long article you've had open for weeks Gemini and Chrome is here for it Ready to make anything online make sense? There's no place like Chrome Check responses set up required compatibility and availability varies 18+. This is not an overreaction. Baker Mayfield is absolutely balling. Man, he is maybe the most fun player to watch on a weekly basis in the National Football League. Baker Mayfield is the MVP, and the Bucs are going to be the one seed in the NFC.
15:21Rich Eisen:I can't say that's an overreaction right now. Well, he's the MVP right now. I mean, he did it again yesterday, although he didn't have to do it. Well, he didn't have to. Here's the thing is he didn't have to do it in the final seconds or the final two minutes. This was the first time. They led for all 30 minutes of the second half. Yeah, finally. And as you know, they were tired of trailing in the final minute of regulation in each of their first four wins. And this was the first win of the season by more than three points. And, you know, he lost Ibuka during the game. And he didn't have Godwin.
15:56Rich Eisen:And he didn't have Evans to begin with. So without his top three receivers. And with Bucky Irving out. Right, as well. He, without those guys, found two guys named Johnson three times. Okay, Cameron twice on a 34-yard reception in the second quarter. He found him once for that one. And then Tez Johnson on a 45-yarder that he threw. What a dime he threw. I know it was maybe a little bit too far, just like if you're nitpicking. Yeah, unreal catch by Tez, yeah. Right? And he caught it and then made an incredible catch. And then even a more, like right there. Look at that, Matt. Oh, what a photo. Nice.
16:38Rich Eisen:For our podcast listening audience. I mean, a fingertip and hand catch right there. But the fact that I'm bringing this up, you know, isn't just because of the, if you will, not name brand players that he threw to with his best out. and beating a Niners team that, yes, they did lose Fred Warner, but they still had it and they still had the gumption and they still had all these young guys that were bringing the wood and playing defense, right? But that pass came a couple of snaps after yet another third and long first down conversion by Baker Mayfield with his legs that started in the most muddy, ugly pocket that made you think the play was done and finished.
17:25Rich Eisen:And even Nance was like, yeah, he's not going to have a chance here. You're like, oh, wait a minute. And then he makes that first down with his legs on third down. Lays out, dives. Like, oh, that was awesome. Right? And that is what we now know as a typical Baker Mayfield 2025 play. If I'm not mistaken, let me see here. He did it against Houston on that Monday night or in week two. Remember that? Same thing. Third down, dead to rights. Nope. First down. And he's doing it by screaming at fans and barking at fans. And I understand before it was brash and arrogant and immature. And as he now points out, it's moxie.
18:00Rich Eisen:It's that sort of swagger. Hey, man, that's how you become MVP of the league. And so yesterday, again, even though it wasn't something he did the final seconds like he did in the first four wins of the season, this one was even more impressive, I think, because he didn't have Evans and Godwin coming in, then lost Emeka Ibuka during the game, and then he's down to receivers 4, 5, 6, and 7, and running backs 2 and 3, and offensive linemen at certain spots 2 and 3, and he's still the same Baker, man. And with that defense, that's the way you win championships, and that's the way you win MVPs, and that's certainly the way you can be the number one seed, which they are currently leading the NFC right now at 5-1, with the Lions having lost to the Chiefs, and the Eagles having lost to the Giants, and the Rams having just survived against the Ravens and the Niners having just lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Bucs have that pole position right now, and you can't sit here and say, well, they're banged up.
19:02Rich Eisen:They're not going to do it. They just did it. So this is not an overreaction, and I'm sure you knew that was going to be my answer. Yeah, they're super fun. I just wanted to talk about them. Love what Baker's doing. Love everything about them. Yeah, all about the Bucs right now. You know who else I'm all about, Rich? You know what's funny? On Monday, you guys gave me such grief for Tuesday, whatever it was, when I said Drake May is going to be in the MVP conversation by the end of the month. Turns out I was two weeks too early behind MVP-level play from Drake May. The Patriots are going to win a playoff game.
19:35Rich Eisen:Dude, come on, man. Listen, you may just, you know, you may just, and you have every reason to be all excited for this Patriots season. You should be. I mean, because things are looking up. And as I mentioned after that win against the Bills, you've got a real one. I think this is we're locked in on Drake May being for real, for sure. And Drake May is doing things at the position that we haven't seen there since Tom Brady. And that's a fact. First New England player with three passing touchdowns of 25 or more yards in a game since Brady did it week three of 2017. They are now above 500 through six games for the first time since Brady's last year in New England since 2019.
20:28Rich Eisen:He is the king of 200-yard passing games and 100 passer ratings. He's had five straight games. He's the fourth player in the Super Bowl era at age 23 or younger to do that. The others are named Mahomes, Marino, and Prescott. And now Drake May. Bro, listen, you're doing great. This is great. The New England Patriots didn't just boat race the New Orleans Saints. I mean, the Saints did have a shot in this game. The Saints are plucky. And that's my point to you. That's my point to you, Chris. But they're winning those games. Where in the past, they would have found a way to blow those. And now they're not.
21:13Now they're stacking wins and they're stacking confidence. That game should have been a blowout. That was one of the worst officiated games I've ever seen. They had a 60-yard touchdown called back. They had another huge play to Stephon Diggs called back. That game was not close. But they found a way to win. And that's all that matters.
21:31Rich Eisen:And I agree with you. and you should feel happy about that. And I think you're going to win. You're going to go to the playoffs. And the fact that you and I are sitting here right now and there's two more games left in week six, and one of them is a Monday nighter where if the Bills go to Atlanta and lose, the Patriots would have a first-place possession through six weeks and with a tiebreak would be not in sole possession but would be a tie break up on the Bills with a visit to Tennessee next and then a home date with Cleveland after that. And there are some highly winnable games for you. So you should make the playoffs.
22:13Rich Eisen:But to go and win a playoff game, you know how tough it is to win your first playoff game in the NFL. Yeah, that's true. As a rookie. I will call this an overreaction. But in the meantime, just enjoy what you have. Oh, I'm enjoying and I'm also projecting. And there's moves to be made. Like they could add a receiver. They could add a running back. They could add a pass rusher. And suddenly we're talking about them as contenders. No, and I'm happy for you. Thank you. And I say that with a straight face. You're doing a great job. No, I'm happy for you, man. You know, my wife, my brother-in-law, my in-laws, my son.
22:49Rich Eisen:They're all Patriot fans. Cooper is so happy that Drake May is Drake May. And the Patriots are playing as well as they've been playing. And Vrabel has clearly brought it. but for the moment, I will just call this an overreaction and tell you to enjoy the moment while you have it and are living it, sir. Okay, okay, okay. Well, if you're saying that's an overreaction, I'm guessing you're going to go with this one, too. It is not good in Baltimore, Rich, another blowout loss with Cooper Rush, a quarterback, and the thing is, not even Lamar Jackson can save this Ravens season. Baltimore should tank for better 2026 draft slot.
23:30Rich Eisen:Untrue. Untrue, sir. How about this? I'm not quitting on the Baltimore Raiders. Oh, that's a tough ship you're going to go down with there, Rich. Dude, hear me out. Hear me out. They're 1-5. It's not good. Okay? And they're not used to being in this position. All right? No, they are not. Okay? But hear me out. They're 1-5. The Steelers are 4-1. I understand that. I think Florio put out a stupendous tweet that over the last three weeks, the Steelers are 2-0, and the rest of the AFC North is 0-9 over the last three weeks. So the Steelers have really enjoyed watching the Bengals struggle without Joe Burrow, and the Browns switch quarterbacks, and the Ravens just absolutely fall completely apart.
24:24Rich Eisen:record-wise and certainly health-wise. But just hear me out here, okay? The Ravens, despite being 1-5, and the last time this happened was 2015. They went 5-11 and missed the playoffs, okay? But three teams have made the playoffs after 1-5 starts since 1990. It's entirely possible. and the 2018 Indianapolis Colts did it and made the wild card. The 2020 Washington football team won the division. I'm not saying this is going to be a 7-9 finish championship. And the 2015 Kansas City Chiefs did it. So it's been done before, number one. The man on the screen, podcast listeners, but ESPN2 and YouTube.com slash RichEyesandShowViewers is Lamar Jackson.
25:13Rich Eisen:And the head coach said he should be back after this upcoming bye, and so is the quarterback of the defense, Roquan Smith. And my guy Kyle Hamilton was out there healthy on Sunday in that loss to the Rams, where they did play much better defense than what we have seen in past days. That said as well, you come off the bye, let's look at their schedule. They're home for Chicago. They're at Miami where, you know, we heard Tua after a three-interception performance performance. Talk about those who are missing meetings and blowing them off. A visit to Minnesota can't be easy. At Cleveland, home for the Jets, home for Cincinnati.
Read the full transcript
25:52Rich Eisen:They've got two games left with Pittsburgh, another game with Cincinnati, a game against your Patriots, as we all know, is no longer a homecoming, and a very tough visit at Green Bay. Bro, I'm telling you, You do the math of their 1-5, okay, and of their remaining 11 games, the Ravens that we all know can go out there and start beating the crap out of people. And I'm not at all for what you're saying below. Total, complete overreaction. What I'm saying is this. What if the Bears look great tonight on Monday night, and suddenly that game out of the bye is a loss. Now you're talking about maybe trading Derrick Henry, trading Mark Andrews, maybe these injuries that the defensive players, you know, maybe they last a little bit longer and they don't come back.
26:42And Lamar Jackson tweaked something else. And suddenly he shut down for the year. May not be the worst idea to kind of just mail this in, gear from hell, and get a top five pick and kind of reload.
26:54Rich Eisen:The Baltimore Ravens do not mail things in. That is not them. That's not them. And it will never be them. And that's part of the reason why they're as terrific as they are. They are not going to – Derrick Henry in that terrible game against the Rams, by the way, which has allowed three points and no touchdowns against the Ravens, the fewest points in a game that they've allowed in five years. And this Rams defense is the second game this year where they didn't allow a touchdown. Derrick Henry still had his, 24 for a buck, 22. So that's a positive. Let's get Lamar back. Let's get Lamar back. And how good do the Bears need to look on this Monday night coming off their bye?
27:32Rich Eisen:for you to think that they're going to go into a Ravens house and beat the Baltimore Ravens with Lamar and Andrews and Zay Flowers and Roquan Smith and Derrick Henry. I don't know, man. They need to look like 1985 good, bro. Yeah, they got to prove it, though. I've heard you a lot during this podcast. The Ravens need to prove it. The Ravens need to prove it. Overreaction. Pace Checkout is offered by your banks and credit unions. So when you shop online at participating merchants, your cards appear in one place, ready to use and kept up to date. And the best part, your actual card number isn't shared when you check out.
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28:48Availability, amount of discounts and savings, and eligibility vary by state. Okay, Rich. Last week, I said it was time to start taking this team seriously as contenders, and I believed it. And what do they do this week? They go out and get a win. Tough home win against a team playing their backup quarterback. But when I look at the Colts, who have they really beaten? Okay, we're putting them in the who have they really beaten category. Well, here's the deal. I look at their schedule, right? They've beaten one win Miami, one win Tennessee, one win Raiders. They really only beat the Broncos because of that weird leverage call at the end.
29:32That should be a loss, right? They lose to the Rams. And then yesterday against Jacoby Bursette, they didn't really look that great. They probably should have got beat. Arizona operating better with Jacoby at quarterback than Kyler Murray. I got to wonder, man, who is this Colts team really beating?
29:47Rich Eisen:Well, I mean, how about the one loss on the screen there, the Rams. You were in the house that day. I was. Whose house? Well, you saw the Colts with your own two eyes. Did they look fugazi to you? I looked like they lost. Looked like they didn't do the little things enough to get away. Did they look fugazi to you? Did they look fugazi to you? They looked okay. They looked really good. And A.D. Mitchell flipping the ball too soon might have cost them that game. So, you know, in the same way that we're now saying they got lucky with a leverage call, they got unlucky with their own mistake. I'm going to say this is half a reaction because who have they really beaten?
30:32Rich Eisen:They have not beaten world beaters. I agree with you. They have beaten teams that have since gone south and have not really taken much of an upturn, although the Raiders did just beat Tennessee. And Miami's just been tailspinning. And as we know, Tennessee has been tailspinning. And Arizona has lost four in a row, although Jacoby Brissett showed how things can potentially look if the ball comes out on time in a way that maybe Kyler Murray isn't throwing it. And they did that without Marvin. Yeah, maybe Marvin doesn't go out with a concussion in the second quarter. Maybe they pull that one out.
31:08Rich Eisen:I don't know. I don't know. But I understand that this is a valid question of their opponent, but I don't think it is indicative of them being fake and unreal. The guy on the screen there in Jonathan Taylor, that guy, as we know, is no joke. He leads the league in rushing. That's all he does is score touchdowns. There's a reason why the Colts have been superb in the red zone. It's because Daniel Jones hasn't made the mistake, and this guy's the one who's running it in, and Tyler Warren is spectacular at the tight end position. So Shane Steichen has been dialing it up, and the defense has been doing just enough.
31:52Rich Eisen:So I think the Colts are for real, but their next game is against the Chargers. And then after that, what would you say? Would a visit to Pittsburgh be a for-real test? I think that's a good for real test. At Kansas City? I think at the Chargers might be a good test, too. And how about this, dude? I don't want to just shoot. I just want to hire a register. Oh, you did go hire a register. But how about this? Their own division is a tough test. A visit to Seattle. These are tests. Yeah. Well, they definitely have some tests coming up in the back half of the schedule once November hits. But good teams make hay against the ones that they should make hay against.
32:32Rich Eisen:Agreed. And so I'll just tip the cap to them. But I understand the, I guess, literal aspect of your question is not an overreaction. But the spirit in which you're asking the question, I believe, is an overreaction. How does that sound? I like it. I like it. All right, two more, Rich, and then we'll send you on your good London day. I got to go back to Thursday because that was just awesome. I love what the Giants got, the vibes, the juice. It's all there. And Cam Scadaboo, man, he's kind of the main reason why. Scadaboo is going to have a better Giants career than Saquon Barkley. Dude. Rich, hear me out.
33:11Through their first five full – I have stats for you this time.
33:14Rich Eisen:Dude, it's been six games. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Six games. Through their first five games in a Giants uniform, Saquon Barkley had 71 carries for 308 yards, three touchdowns. Scadaboo has 80 carries for 340 yards and five tutties. Scadaboo is the real deal. Well, Scadaboo is the real deal, but we knew that already. I mean, when he performed the way that he performed in the college football playoffs against Texas by running it and catching it and then throwing it, we looked at him. We're like, this guy's a football player, man. This guy is just like a dynamo. This guy is energy. This guy is a winner.
34:00Rich Eisen:and then I couldn't believe it when I went to the combine and I'm like saying to Daniel Jeremiah I'm like what is this guy's a grade and it came back like second day pick top of top of three pick you know in terms of a a third day pick like top of the third day and I'm like come on like what what is that again I'm I'm not an all 22 guy I'm not a scout yeah I don't I don't beat the bushes in the Big 12 or the Mountain West. We can watch the games and see. We were like, right? This guy's a difference maker. And when the Giants drafted him, you know, I'm like, this guy's going to be perfect for the metropolitan area.
34:43Rich Eisen:Perfect. And in the same way where Omari and Hampton started getting more carries because Najee Harris went down and the Chargers planned, let's just ease this guy in, went straight out the window. Tyrone Tracy goes down against the Cowboys, and the let's ease Scadaboo in goes straight out the window also. And he's been superb. And now he and Dart are like, you know, tango and cash walking around New York City. That's awesome. You know what I mean? That's so good. This is wild what's happening. It's awesome. It's awesome. But now to sit here and say he's going to have a better Giants career than Saquon Barkley.
35:23Rich Eisen:Saquon was hurt for a couple of those years. He only had a couple of good seasons in New York, and then he left. He did win a playoff game. I'm just saying. So I understand that it could be recency bias that we're seeing what Saquon's done in Philadelphia, and it raises up the production that he had in New York. Let's see. Knock on wood. I don't even want to say into the microphone for Scadaboo what kind of befell Saquon a little bit in New York City. There's reason to be excited. There's reason to be excited. And so I guess making it into the divisional round and having a few, you know, good years of health and production and excitement.
36:07Rich Eisen:And hopefully, by the way, what Saquon did in the community as well to be a Walter Payton man of the year nominee and candidate for the Giants, something that Scadaboo should also take note of as well, because his fame in the area could absolutely be cashed in. you know, on the philanthropic front by him on behalf of others. So there's a lot to live up to for Saquon, but he's off to a great start. Yeah, I saw a really funny post. Someone said that, like, Scadaboo's going to have a deli sandwich named after him, and it's just like eight meat slapped on rye with mustard. It's like, hey, I need two Scadaboos to go, hey.
36:47Rich Eisen:And then what you have to do is, like, slap it against the wall before you wrap it and serve it. Awesome. I love Scataboo. I love Scataboo. All right, last one, and let's go to the other side of that. The Eagles, there's something going on. There's something going on with Hurts and the receivers. There's a lot of disconnect there. Someone other than the Eagles is going to win the NFC East. Boy, come on, man. I don't think the Giants are going to be able to put enough together to make that run, and that might age poorly. The Giants can't stop anybody. They can't stop a cold. I mean, the Cowboys can't stop anybody.
37:25Rich Eisen:They can't stop a cold. They can't stop a dowdle. They can't stop anybody. And, you know, and we're already talking through six weeks about if the players are properly buying into Matt Eberfuss' defensive scheme. That doesn't look great. Offensively, they're doing well. But, you know, if you stop their run game, what's going to happen? I guess Pickens will just go for a buck 63. He's been unbelievable. He has been. You've got to give it up four straight games with a score for him without CeeDee Lamb. I just don't know if the Cowboys are going to be able to put it together to win that division.
38:01Rich Eisen:I did like what I saw out of the Commanders against the Chargers in Week 5. Let's see what happens in Week 6 at home against the Bears team. They should beat despite missing yet more players for Jaden Daniels on offense. But same thing I said going into SoFi against the Chargers, and the Commanders showed up for the first time in 2025 looking like the 2024 version of the team. So we'll see what happens. Commanders can win this. That's for sure. If the Commanders win this game on Monday Night Football, they're right there. And then, as we know, two of the last three games of the season are Commanders and the Eagles against each other.
38:43Rich Eisen:So this thing can go down to the wire. Absolutely entirely possible. and that would be the team that I'd peg as I'm sounding this thing out. And if the Cowboys can just fix that defense, Dak is playing at an all-time level for him, similar to his 2023. Yeah, it's a big if, but they have the offensive firepower to just kind of screw it, score 30-plus every week, and as long as the defense only gives up 28, then they can win games. Yeah. Would have been nice to get that one on Sunday, though. I hear you. and the Eagles, you know, do have some concerns. There's no doubt about it. They're at Minnesota against Carson Wentz, I believe, is the game that we're going to see there.
39:24Rich Eisen:And then they have the Giants at home before a bye. And then the post-bye, weeks 10 through 12, at Green Bay, home for Detroit, at Dallas, will be, if you will, a particular type of cutting time for them. And so we'll see what happens over those three weeks. But this is entirely possible. I don't think this is an overreaction at the end of the day. I kind of talked myself into it right there, Chris. You know. Good stuff, brother. Good stuff. Great stuff, Christopher. Good to see you, man. I appreciate it. So the Rich Eisen show will be emanating from London here at ABC News Studios. On Thursday and Friday, you and TJ are going to be hopping a flight to join me for the Thursday and Friday shows after you do the Wednesday program.
40:14Rich Eisen:and so check out that show from here in London on Disney Plus and the ESPN app everywhere and on ESPN Radio. And then I'll be doing Rams and Jaguars from Wembley on Sunday and back at it next week, Christopher. So I appreciate the two cents and the time. Love it, man. That's going to be such a fun game next week already looking ahead, but always great to do this with you, man. I appreciate that. For Chris, I am Rich. Thanks for taking in this edition of Overreaction Monday.
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From the publisher
A weekly staple on 'The Rich Eisen Show' since 2018, 'Overreaction Monday' is now also an extended podcast with Rich and Chris Brockman debating the latest in the NFL. Today's topics:
1:10 - The Chiefs are going to make the AFC Championship Game for the 8th straight year
5:45 - The real Lions showed up in KC and will be lucky to be a Wild Card team
8:40 - The Jets should bench Justin Fields and start Tyrod Taylor to inject some life into their winless season
13:40 - Baker Mayfield is the NFL MVP and the Bucs will be the NFC one-seed
17:50 - Behind MVP-level QB play from Drake Maye, the Patriots are winning a playoff game
21:45 - Not even Lamar can save this Ravens' season. Baltimore should "tank" for a better 2026 draft pick.
26:30 - Who have the Colts really beaten??
30:25 - Cam Skattebo will have a better Giants career than Saquon Barkley
34:35 - Someone other than the Eagles will win the NFC East
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