2019 Week 9 Spooky Preview

but Ricky's dressed come up with a little names. Ryan Bartlett's dressed up behind the glass, and obviously the studio we've done a really nice job getting with the season here. Look at that we are moving to what will be named or is named Sophie Adium. It's on the complex where the Rams and Chargers will call home. That's happening

in a little while. You get the sense that there's a bit of a give up going on around here, because everyone's like, I wouldn't want to put too much work into this building at this point, and and the product when we got a shiny new facility that we're heading towards, as you know, as the fetuses that might seem well, I've certainly noticed that to be true, and I don't go as often to the huddle our commissarias

in days past. But what they've the trend that they've taken with the salad bar, which I've had issues with before, they have totally given up. We don't even They got Gronk off the wall pretty quickly. Outside they put they put up Jamal atoms. Yeah, that might not work out too much longer. I mean they put up Baker Mayfield and he went into a epic slump. So let's check in with Ricky behind the glass. What's up, Erica? How

are you guys? I had to take off my mask because I can show the people that watch our show and this is live on YouTube and on NFL dot com. I look at that and Starlett Ryan Bartlett almost looks hot, like, you know, like a sneaky look at me. I might have been hot to be good. Look. Yeah, and then we have as Christie over there, she's a mini mouse. We got we got a nice team behind the glass. Um. So happy Halloween everybody, And this is the week nine

preview at Mark. You're feeling better? I I am. I was. I had one of those human days where I didn't really move until about three pm. It was a very odd setback physically. And if I recall from last year Halloween, you hate Halloween, so I don't have a tough day for you. Well, wait, where are we kids happy getting dressed up? I'm totally on boarded it. I think I think people go a little bit overboard on Halloween, especially adults.

But I mean the kid aspect I'm saying. You're saying the dad that showed up to the eight thirty am Halloween party at my daughter's elementary school in full hull Comania gear with very little clothes on was like going too far? You see? To me, that's fun. It was kind of fun. But I mean he had the tight you know, he had the whole outfit, the whole thing at eight thirty in the morning, and our whole state is on fire and that's a bummer. Um. But the one thing, one of the things I do love about

Californians is that like have fun. You like to have fun. They enjoy the lighter things in life, and Halloween qualifies. Alright, So what do we gotta get into? Greg? Thank you for joining us. So are you're doing a hit on NFL Network gloating about your fifteen and o record, like I didn't say anything about it, that money Smith brought it up, and then you're the only one the reason it got brought up on this show. And by the way, that's impressively what a disgrace. And this is such a

Patriots fan thing. Greg picks against the Patriots this week. He has the Ravens winning by a field goal, I believe, or a touchdown. It's a reverse jinx obviously, first of all, the second of all, like, where do you get off? You know what's going to happen here? I am allowed to pick with my my head, which I think they're They're not a sixty no team, and uh, we'll get to that game. But I think the Ravens are a great matchup for them, and I think the Ravens can win. Well,

West is pounding the table. Nothing's gonna happen to you. Well, we are working on a back to back lock sweep. We all picked the Niners last week and got the win. We picked our own teams the week before, So who knows how this will happen, whether organically we go across the board again or with separate tea. You've had some discussions, have you Okay, good, all right, Now let's get into it. Week nine. We have four teams on by the Bengals, so they sit with that, oh and eight for another week.

By the way, everybody's like, oh so savage, Oh so savage to bench Andy Dalton on his thirty second birthday, but you know you benched him when A. J. Green is back. Now that's savage. I mean I would have benched him on his birthday. But that's so. I feel like they've been quite kind. Um okay. Also the Falcons, the Rams, and the Saints all on buy. So let's get into a draft style West again. This is all a process that is thought through and it's just about

you know, realizing where you should be picking. And sometimes you get more games, sometimes you get less. Greg just pure luck. We're gonna draft eleven games. You have only two to pick. It's gonna it's gonna snake to you and then you're done. Nice for you. The rest of us have three games West, get us gone. I am going with uh the Tony Romo Aaron Jones matchup here

Packers and Chargers. Wow, those are the two key figures in this til A bit of a reach, but okay, a little bit in the Packers first any time I get a chance, probably could have gotten on the way back maybe though probably have been gone, probably not, probably not, probably would be gone. Let's talk about the game. This to me, I know it's at San Diego or at l A, but that's not a home field. I don't. I don't trust the Charges at all, and the Packers fans will travel well, Oh my god, that place is

gonna be eight not an exaggeration. So we get the first game of Shane Steikins career as a play caller. I don't there's nothing about this Chargers team that's fun or exciting to me. They won last week by default, and I don't think they haven't played well all year. Yeah. The word that I put down watching that Bears Chargers scheme from week ago, it was lifeless. I just don't see a lot of what's the stamp of this Chargers team.

They do some things pretty well, but they feel like to me a seven win operation that should be an eleven win team. They've underachieved. They they have some great players, and I know they've had a lot of injuries, but

I mean they have Joey Bosa, who's up there. I think in terms of defensive players this year, you have Philip Rivers playing pretty back, or you have Key up now and you have Damien Square showing up last week and playing like I don't think this is an unwinnable game for them, But that's why the firing of Ken Wizzenant was so strange. It's the defense that I'm much more worried about, and their secondary that I don't have any faith. I think Rivers can put up some points

against the Packers defense that has been rather beatable. Yeah, I mean I feel like the Packers because they surged out of the gate with a pass rush that was that looked dominant early on. That's kind of flittered away in recent weeks. They're not that defense right now. Yeah, it's about first impression. Over the last month, they've been

a below average defense basically. When and we talked about this early in the season, a lot of offenses were trying to figure out how to play a functional football and I think that may have played into some people thinking certain defenses were better than they really were. They have They have enough talent though that I'm not worried about their defense. They'll be fine. I think defense, for the most part, there's a couple of difference making. Deference

is good and bad, and they're not. They're certainly not in the bad category, and they're playing the right offensive line this week too. Arder's offensive line has been terrible all year. The Packers, on the other hand, I really think that the protection and you know, Aaron Rodgers mentioned in every press conference to make points with his buddies, but to a ridiculous extent at this point. But but it's actually true though. I think the protection he has

has set up everything. I mean, his mobility and his ability to move outside the pocket has set up everything he has this year. He has one of the best tackle duos in the league. He's got a good center, and they love this rookie guard uh Jenkins, who's coming off maybe his best game. It's one of the best offensive lines. And if if that's why the wide receivers are overrated, ultimately they're replaceable. If you have a great line and a great quarterback, you're gonna have a good

passing game. Speaking of wide receivers, Davante Adams practiced in pads on Thursday, first time in about four weeks since that turf toe injury. UM and Aaron Rodgers. One thing, because there was a lot of offseason talk is had we already seen the best of Aaron Rodgers? And then you now you look back gun you see how well he's moving in the pocket. He moves like a thirty year old, not a thirty six year older or whatever he is. He suffered ligament damage in his knee in

Week one last season and was never the same. What's so funny? I just thought you, I appreciate how dismissive you were about his age. He's thirty six or whatever, and I like that, Well, he could be thirty five or thirty seven. I meant, I think he's thirty five. He is okay. So that's why whatever you will, because if I just said thirty six, then there there's a statement being made. Whatever opens the door up for thirty

five and thirty understood. You did a nice job with that. Anyway, So he's moving great, and and we we did never We never see saw him move like this last season. This is the week I think if the Chargers lose and they're going into Thursday night football that the Philip Rivers is he leaving what's going on with the Chargers

conversation takes a little you know, bigger national stage. I feel like, if you this is a future Hall of Famer in my mind, who they just fired his offensive coordinator, who's only played with one team his whole career, who's unsigned going in to next year. If this was Eli Manning or some other team people, this would be a bigger story. There were strange whispers about Tom Brady becoming an l A Charger next year. Did you see that. I'm following the Tom Brady is leaving New England thing

very closely. I'd imagine that would be something you'd be I haven't dismissed that out of hand because I think there's uh, I think your exact quote when I brought it up, like a week goes stop, the all the all the house stuff and all this. The thing that people uh never mentioned though, is he would cost seventeen million, Like there are huge financial reasons why that are discouraging him the Patriots from letting him go. They would have to eat a massive cap hit for him to go

somewhere next year. So it's like it's it's not like they're gonna cut him. Why are we talking like this conspiracy theory is a real thing. You know, we'll see what happened like house people are into the houses retire. Also, you know that Paul Red vehicle of the cameo that was a little alright, pick number two. This is an easy one for me. Um. I know Patrick Mahomes is probably not playing this weekend, but the Chiefs at Arrowhead with three losses at Arrowhead before Halloween. Who would have

predicted that kind of need to win here? So I and I like the way Matt Moore played. I like kind of like watching Matt more play a little bit. Is that weird? Um? So you have the Chiefs, But that's not the main reason I'm picking this team this game. I'm picking him because the Vikings. This is it West

Now we're starting to get into it. Kirk Cousins now with a five, six and two Vikings team, everyone is now forgotten about him being the problem, and the Vikings have reaffirmed themselves as an NFC power against a top opponent on the road in a game people are paying attention to. This is the setting where Kirk Cousins folds up like a suitcase throughout his career and does it happen again or is this the year where he put

that narrative to rest. Well, here's the first test right here, and I can't wait to see how he plays in this game. Well, I know everyone wants to talk about Kirk Cousins, but this offensive line that was so maligned for the past, you know, eighteen months, is playing really well. And they have one of the best ground attacks in the NFL. Find a better toosome than Delvin Cook and Alexander Madison. That one to punch I believe is leading

all running back duos in yards and touchdowns um. And then Garrett Bradberry, the rookie center who we killed early in the season, is playing pretty well now that this is really throwing the rookie class. Without this rookie class, where would they be on offense? B C. Johnson, if Smith uh, and then brad Berry too. I think this is the rookies are really driving this offense in a way that they didn't they weren't able to do last year. Offensive line point, and you could say it for any

position group. These things change. Sometimes sometimes you write off an entire team their offensive line is so bad they'll never figure it out. But sometimes with good coaching and players getting more comfortable or some play is getting healthy, these things do correct themselves, and maybe that's what's happened here in Minnesota. I think they're the perfect team to look at September as figuring things out, not that it was their preseason, but what they do well and what

they don't do well and change what they do. Offensively, they're really good on screens. You know, Dalvin Cook's great on screens. They have an athletic offensive line and that's what that's why they drafted Brad Berry. That's kind of Kubiak system. You're learning a new system. You have Kirk Cousins on the move. That's what I've really noticed is him throwing running to his left. He's got to be one of the best quarterbacks in the league doing that.

That is a tough throw and usually you think only guys with a big arm can pull that off. And yet he's rolling out and defenses haven't been able to stop it too well. You're not getting that Cousins rolling to the left analysis anywhere else. I mean, that's where you're getting a lot of those big plays. Nine point three yards per attempt for Kirk Cousins and it is a lesson that, you know, we can cling to certain narratives earlier in the year, and the Cousins thing took

on a life of its own. But a month later or he is, his numbers right now are comparable to where Patrick Mahomes was a year ago on his m v P journey. I mean it. I do think there was a power struggle at some point or a come to Jesus moment inside that building where they decided to change the way they play offense. It's something decide decisively coach about a month ago. Flexible, though you need to

be flexible. That wasn't Zimmer a year ago. So much of it's coming off a play action they This isn't a game that is gonna tell me much though these going I don't think it's a big spot for them. It's not an easy I'm not saying, you know, lock it up. Although actually this wouldn't this wouldn't be a bad one. Uh, But they're playing a team that's lost three straight at home, that's a below average defense, and

it's starting Matt Moore. You should beat the Chiefs. I mean the Chiefs are a testament to Andy Reid's coaching that they can put up a lot of points, you know with Matt More, but it's still a bad defense that's banged up. I expect, I expect. I think I

agree at home the NFL Mrs Mahomes. That's I really started thinking about how how much work, like, because these last two weeks have had kind of you got the Ravens Patriots this week, but in the early slates you're kind of missing those defining games like and Vikings Chiefs. To me with Mahomes would be the defining game of this week before Sunday Night. Yes, the Vikings, even with that slump, they have their third and total offense right now and fifth in total defense. So this is team

playing very well in West. I know you hate, you hate when there's too much focus on Kirk Cousins, But to me, he's just one of those guys that's fun to track his career. He just got like a fun, soapy career. Well, quarterbacks always get too much blame and too much credit, but Kirk Cousins is like the quintessential blame versus credit quarterback. Right, all right, let's move on

to the third pick. It is what's his name? Dark Sesslaer. Okay, thank you for that struggle with that one a little bit, because the dark with a sea is a no brainer. Love it? Uh, Cessler, was there somewhere else you could have gone there? But that I like is then he got dark layer and I feel like it kind of came in. Layer is like like scary things live in layers, so it's dark that works. I think, you know, again, another nice job by you if that's if you came

up with me. Did a nice job there. So it's my pick, and I you know, I I like to get the late I don't want to come have this thing circle back around and I'm stuck with no late game because you got four of them this week. And it also is the Cleveland Browns playing the Denver Broncos. A couple of things happen. I think Cleveland, I think this is a game. Everyone just thinks Cleveland's gonna get right here and whip up on a Broncos team that has Brandon Allen who's twenties seven years old and has

never taken a snap in a real NFL game. Why not just runaway with the thirties six victory. I don't think it's that easy. I just don't see Cleveland to me, when you talk about what is the stamp of this team, the most undisciplined club in all of football. They they completely what happened against New England. I think when I was watching in real time, it was just like, Okay, this game is happening and it's all tumbling down watching in a second time. They had a chance to win

that thing had they not made those mistakes. They ran the ball really well against New England. That's the one thing they can do week after week with Nick Chubb, who I thought Tony Romo made the right comparison of calling him a Jamal Lewis type runner, but I see little miniature shades of Jim Brown at times. Two. He is just such a tough, physical back and he's absolutely what they need and what they should ride. I don't

know if you need Kareem Hunt. I don't have a problem with him coming back on the rosters game in the past game. I just I wouldn't take any workload away from Cleveland at this point. He's He's all they have. I I the storyline coming out of that game should

have been against that defense. Baker Mayfield at one point completed ten straight passes and Nick Chubb was well over a hundred yards on the ground, and instead it was look at all the penalties and turnovers because they're a poorly coach team, right that both both the Patriots can give up yards and then they let They're they're great at letting teams lose games. Belichick says that all the time that more and NFL games are lost than one,

and the Browns are a great example of that. This year they're minus nine and turnovers and their minus two fifty three and penalty yardage differential, which I didn't even know as a stat but that's last place by a long shot in the NFL. So those are the two things that's just killing them week after week. I just don't believe that it's it's gonna be, you know, magically fixable. There is a coaching issue in Cleveland, and it's a it's a it's hard for us to know why this

happens to a team. But they weren't this undisciplined a year ago. They've had penalty issues, you know, dating back for a thousand years, it seems like, but this is extraordinary. Then you do, but the Broncos defense I could see them giving Cleveland a ton of issues. The Broncos def. Yes, it's a top five defense. And to the credit of Broncos fans and shout out to the listeners who support that team. It's a great fan base that is going

to fill up that building. And whether they're six and two or two and six, they will be cheering and cheering loudly. It's not an easy place to go and win. Now you're against a quarterback that you know you might have another Luke Falk on your hands here, a guy that maybe doesn't even deserve to be in the NFL, and he ends up getting the start because of and that could work out to your favorite with a turnovers.

But yeah, win the turnover battle on this game with the quarterback with no experience, and go win a ballgame. Because this is a dirt net game for the Browns, it is. They don't get this done and they fall to two and six, they're not coming back from that, No, they're not at all. And at this point, like the concept of them making a push for the playoffs and all this stuff is is absurd. Just actually put stringly some games together where you look at all like what

we thought we'd see this season. But I'll tell you what they are going to win this week, and I'm gonna lock it up me too. All Right. We don't even get a sound effect for that. There we go. Well, West and I discussed this previously and we decided that we're going to ride on the similar train either into nervous. Well, they're nervous. I'm nervous about the Sunday night show off the Browns. I'll win. I love the matchup. You know, John James, the Broncos right tackle, came back last week

and immediately reinjured his knee. This tackle combination of Garrett Bowls and Eli Elijah Wilkinson going up against Olivier Vernon and Myles Garrett who destroyed the Patriots offensive line last week. This is a great matchup. And Dan, who is Fred Brown? I don't know the Broncos number two receiver now, Jesus,

some guy named Fred Brown. Not the It's not the guy who played on the eighty two Georgetown team and through the pass away and we've kind of skipped over the fact that Brandon Allen is their starting quarterback in Week nine. Brandon Allen, who was I believe a sixth round pick of the Jags, and then he was with the Rams last year. I did ask they thought, though, you know, the Rams had him as their backup last year and he chose Bortles over him, that that he

could be a little feisty. He's done some things in the preseason. I don't think it's a Luke Fox situation. I think they're hopeful that he might, you know, have a little spark and give him a little something. But the matchup is tough in this surrounding. What's the desert saying here? Um, the Broncos are underdogs at home, but not by myth that crazy amount. Cortland Sutton scares me, but Denzel Awards back, Greedy Williams is back. Sutton's done

something every week. I think rightly looks at the Browns as a team that can't be huge favorites against any good defense on the road, no matter what's going on with Brandon out. I do like that Joe Flacco unfurled that emotional speech about the offense and needing to be guts here and more daring dow shown on the field, and then he's gone. He's out for That's a great way to go give it nice to six, fire everyone up, then you're out. He's going to five to six weeks.

He'll be out with that neck issue. In Baker, Mayfield had that a testy exchange with Tony Grossy, the long time Brown's um beat reporter. You have that, Ricky, it seems like there was lack. There's a penalty, so we're a negative yartist. There was a lot of time between well, when the penalty happened, then we're behind the chance. No, no, no no, stop saying, but I just told you the clock was running and we had a penalty. Do you want to give them the ball back? No, you don't play.

You don't know it. That's just plain and simple. Was I happy with the drive? Note we didn't score points. That's the dumbest question you could ask. What Jesus that? I mean, that's pressure. He's there. They're under a lot of pressure to win this game, and I think Mayfield will be a guy that will play really well in this game. I love the Browns in this game, but I also they've they've been so disappointing that I can't lock them up. But I do. I'm with you, guys.

I think they're gonna take Mayfield right now is passer rating his twenty four point six points lower than Eli Mannings was a year ago. And I think that. I think you're right, he's feeling the pressure because of the expectations and everything else. I have no problem with him going off occasionally in a press conference. And I'm not just saying that because he's far to his relationship with Tony gra that's been bubbling for a while back and forth.

I don't think it's also a very big deal. Uh, you have these reporters that you sort of it seems like it's a it's like a bro it's like a friend of me type of situation. Hey, can I get a hundred and fifty yard game with a touchdown or two from Dell Beckham at some point? I'm not sure that. I don't know. I don't know. Question not on command? You can't all right up next? Oh yeah, I got two picks right, snake action because that you know that that impacts the strategy. But I'll take the Bears Eagles

off the board. It does because I know one of Greg's teams, right, I'm just saying, you know, I want one at each time. So the Bears in the Eagles. I don't know why I'm picking the Bears to watch two straight weeks at at ten am, but I think the Eagles are your team. They are a team I'm I'm fascinated by, I'm interested in, and you do wonder if they can rely on what they found in the second half against the Bills, which was a lot of

running behind the right side of the offensive line. Brandon Brooks. Throw him in your comeback player of the Year conversation tours. Achilles might be the best guard in the league. You have Lane Johnson the Eagles, and Sheio Capatti on The Athletic wrote about this this week. Are one of the run heaviest teams in the league in neutral situations. They have been all season. It's surprising because they're not great

at it. And this is a franchise, you know that has a lot of analytical background and there they should be good at throwing the ball with Carson Wentz. You do get DeShawn backs DeShawn Jackson back this week. But I think this is what Doug Peterson wants to be, is kind of a ground and pound team. We'll see

if that keeps working. This is the last time, the last time I get all in on the Eagles because I've been pumping since August, and then every time they have a big win and my stupid power rankings, I get over excited and I put them back in the top ten, and then they lay a total egg and I have to drop them back down to purgatory, and I get angry with them, and yet I still believe that the Eagles are going to go on a run and not only be a playoff team, but really, actually,

why do you think? Because I just think it's all still there, and I I do like I like the Eagles so much that I will be locking them up in this game, uh, even against a Bears team that is the classic uh cornerdown. I mean, this is a this is a potential dirt knap situation because the Bears, in addition to being in last place, are also in the NFC North. They're in twelfth place in their conference. So to even think about getting back into the playoff race,

they need. They need to win now, as in Sunday. Then they need to win next week against the Lines, another wild card helpful hopeful, and then they need to go to l A and beat the Rams, another wild card hopeful the next week, and I don't see it happening all those things. So yeah, So the Eagles, uh, to me, are a team that's feeling good about themselves now that I think they're going to um, they're going

to score points. I think the Bears defense hasn't been as good as it was last year, and we know what's going on with Mr Drobiski in the Bears offense. I think this is an offense that's more likely to crack and then complete collapse rather than pulled together at this point. So that's why I'm banking on the Eagles. Do not let me down. Eiggles Fly, Eiggles Fly. Roster is stronger. They got their number one and number two cornerbacks back in the last two weeks, and it showed

in the Bills game. Their their secondary is not nearly as leaky as it was a few weeks ago. Where to Sean Jackson, is he getting good sounds like sounds like ll play? Although I said that last week and it couldn't have been more wrong. So alson Jeffrey made a couple of plays last week. You know Carson Wentz under center. I am also locking them up? How about that? So we got the Browns, over the kissing cousins and over on this side of the table. It doesn't have

a name. Greg and I both have the all right with us? Hey guys, yeahs, yes, good, good call. Because I'm right now and in the YouTube and I'm answering some of the comments and we're getting a lot of people like, no, that does not pass the mirror test. It's four versus three and four. They are two locks. Greg and Dance. You're you're locking up against the broken quarterback. You're locking up against the guy shouldn't be. I have

no issues the Eagles versus the four three. I just go by the by the Vegas thing and this it started as a three point just letting you know what. I never believe in the pipe down there, but it is for me. It is less about picking for the Eagles than it really is picking against against the Bears. It's and it's not just Drabinsky, but it's mostly Drabinsky. It's that the defense is good, but it's not. It's not going to change the world defense. It's not gonna

get six turnovers every week. It's there and it's okay, and I think the Eagles offensive line could win the battle upfront against the Bears defense. So if you're just a good but not great defense, what are you really

If you're the Bears, you're counting on Mitchell Drabinsky too much. Yeah, I feel like the Bears need a gigantic special teams play and typically a bunch of turnovers or defensive touchdown to win games, like we saw that from Cordarrel Patterson against the Saints, where that was one of the only reasons they were even in that game. One thing I thought that they schemed pretty well last week against the Chargers was getting guys open down the field easy throws

for Trabisky to make. And there were some bigger games for quarters. Didn't play terribly, but the coach doesn't trust him in If you're gonna keep playing him, you gotta show some trust. I thought they crumbled in the red zone over and over. That's the thing is like Ferris fans were like, I don't think he played that bad, and he had two killer turnovers in the fourth quarter and they had the ball inside the ten for twelve places. The bar is low. Okay, let's move on Greg Snake

a Ricky we're snaking like that. I'm taking two of the most dynamic and surprising passing games in the league, the Lions and the Raiders at four oh five. They do it in different ways, but this is the number five and six most efficient passing games in the league. According to Football Outsiders. The Lions kind of look like

an old sixties AFL team these days. They're just throwing up bombs to Marvin hall And and Marvin Jones, whereas the Raiders are like an early eighties West Coast team with tight ends and fullbacks and endless seven yard throws. I can't say it's my favorite style, but you've got a good running back and it's been really working that

they moved the ball up and down the field. And I don't blame John Gordon if he's trying to keep his defense off the field, because this is a matchup of two pretty bad defenses, and the Raiders are worse. The Raiders defense is slow and they don't get after the quarterback. Cleveland Farrel has not sacked, hit or pressure a quarterback since Week one. Like Max Crosby, their fourth round pick is playing more than him. Benton Maoia, My I never know how to say his name. He's better

than Farrel. He's playing a little less. It's a little under the radar. The defensive players never get picked that. It's like Quentin Williams is not doing anything this year. He doesn't get picked on. No, he's fine. Now he's been banged up. You gotta give him a pass. And the Jets that there's anything. Oh, I can always count on you to go off topic on a Jets burn, but wow, uh, let him get right, let him get healthy with the new coaching staff, and it will see

what happens. Save that for the Jets. Dolphins banger. I think Josh Jacobs is one of the most enjoyable backs to watch in the league right now. And the Darren Waller experience, to me, is a sign of good coaching because you know, Gruden picked him out because of his physique across the way. That's how they unearthed them on another team. And he's been he's been an awesome story. They are they do you look at their weapons. I thought Tyrolle Williams showed up last week and played a

good game for them, and they need that. They need some more wide receivers. Your boy Hunter Renfrew, nice touchdown. Greg. I'm sure you guys cover that. I thought he's coming around. I thought that was one of Derek Carr's best passing performances in years. Absolutely, and I've been killing him and I and he's starting to make those comments look utterly foolish. It's the hit on the deep balls though, I agree, But that was that game was kind of Carr in

a nutshell. He was twenty two I think it was twenty two, ten yards and in one of six twenty and up and so he hit one. But they still and I think it's more about the receivers that he has car They're not going deep. Almost three quarters of his passes. I he's either he's either on pace to break the Drew Brees record will be right there. They're easy passes. Yeah, which I understand that, but still there. Their offense has been functionally high, highly functional this year,

and he's been a part of it. The offensive minds the biggest reason why. But Rodney Hudson is their center, their leader, and he's out for a while, so was the and yeah, and they might be starting Richie Incognito at center. He's never played the position before, so that's been their number one strength as a team, and that you know, might not be the same as it used to be this week. Alright, Mark, you're up now. I

know I will be laughed at for this pick. But if you know anything about me, you know why this game is one of the most potentially enjoyable uh games I've seen. It is not a Dolphins, It is the Redskins at the Bills. Because I'm telling you why not unlike the Niners. Not unlike the Niners Redskins games of a couple of weeks ago. I got to watch two quarters and then I could move my mind to something else. I think it may be over before some games get

through two quarters. That's what I love about it. I want to see just how quickly this goes. I will say one thing about the Bills, and you're you're not gonna get it this week because they're just gonna They're gonna deal with Dwayne Haskins and probably it's in Buffalo, just beat up on Washington from wire to wire. Fifty two points given up in the last two weeks by the Bills. Their defense has not been. It kind of

reminds me a little bit of Chicago. They are they have not been the defense we thought over the past couple of weeks, and that team scares me if they don't get that kind of performance from their defense because Josh Allen and I know that we were rough on him. He just he had a terrible fumble that turned that game around last week for Philadelphia, and I thought maybe

was the turning point of the game. Every game you can count on two killer turnovers by Josh Allen, and it's typically when he's running the ball and loses it. If he's gonna run the ball as much as he does, we need better security. I don't even have faith that they're gonna run away with this game because they haven't done it before. I mean, they played the Bengals and they played the Dolphins another episode of Greg Hates Josh Allen. No, I'm saying, I'm basing it that they've struggled at home.

They struggled to beat the Bengals, they struggled to beat the Dolphins. They got wiped out by the Eagles who were struggling. They haven't had that home to home field advantage, uh that you would expect. And yes, it is partly because of Allen. Jim Schwartz pointed out a play last week where his coverage completely busted, and he was making the point, Yeah, we were better, but we made a couple of mistakes. And I went back I watched that play.

Alan has a receiver wide open, no one's there, and he's got perfect protection on the play too, and he's back there, but at one point he just starts and starts running and he misses it could have You know, that's the type of play I think that you don't see necessary. And it happens a lot with Alan. This team needs to run the ball more. They need more Devin Singletary going on. You can probably get away with suspect decision making and no touch, but probably not both

and and Josh Allen has both right now. There is a sense, especially how poorly the Bills played at home against the Eagles last week, an Eagles team was struggling mightily at the time, that the Bills now we're going to go into a tail spin or they have been found out. And I don't know if that's true. And I still think their schedule is so soft over across November for the most part, that they're going to be

in very good position to be a playoff team. But at the same time, Bills fans who get angry, who think that, you know, we or certain people should be viewing them as like a real a f C contender. We you just need to see more from them, you like, we've been nice to the Bills. Yeah, but they want to be seen as a team that could take out the Patriots, and they'll point to the Patriots game where they gave him a real uh contest for four quarters, but went to the Dolphins game. But how about this.

They've trailed in six of the seven games they played in this year, and to their credit, they still have five wins. This is a perfect game. Just destroy the Redskins. I mean, kill the Redskins. And it doesn't mean everyone's going to then say, oh, the Bills are fine, but it will get it will pump some energy and confidence into that offense. You know, light them up, Josh Allen have four total touchdowns. Give us that type of game, and then the least make it, make it feel like

this is an offense that's going to improve. In the section mention Adrian Peterson, which is about the only thing the Redskins seemed to want to involve on offense, uh did not practice Thursday. Well, we should also mention, we don't know whose quarterbacking for the Redskins. Well, Haskins has been taking first team reps two days in a row, so I would be surprised at Keenam as the starter

if healthy. But he's still in the concussion protocols, so it sounds like it's Haskins time with Callahan said Thursday, Keenum could still play if he feels better on Friday. They'll just need a little more out of Ed Oliver, another top ten pick who has really not been making much of an impact for them. Um and made a nice nice pick there, actually ominous that welcome. Dwayne Haskins was allowed to throw the ball five times in the

second half last week. Ominous. Well, you know, the Washington Post came out with a story this week quoting several sources that he doesn't know the playbook. Oh my god, they should, you know what they should do? The the old JaMarcus Russell trick that the rating the DVD given the DVD make it blank. And then three days later it's like, hey, how was it, And JaMarcus Russo was like, oh it was great, and every play like okay, we

know you're not doing any work at all. I think gil Brandt pulled that one in gil brand from the Future with the DVD. Alright, let's move on it is it's my pick, all right? Uh this you would think this is me stepping in a bear trap, but no, listen, I got two young sons. They're gonna be hopped up on sugar all weekend because the Halloween. Uh so I'll be up. I'll be up close to sixty am. I probably be up at seven. I'll DVR the game and catch up. So I'll take Texans against the Jaguars from

Wembley Stadium. Interested in the final, Um, the final game of this year's London series. And um, we were of course at the final game at Tottenham Stadium, Tottenham Hotspurs Stadium, excuse me, Spurs Stadium, the big tot hot Totty Toddy House, Totti House. So they've done an incredible job over there with these games and they close it out at Wembley

with a nice one. Here are the Texans who we talked about this, and I talked about this all week in various like NFL programming that they pushed all the chips into the twenty nineteen center of the table for twenty nineteen. Now J J. Watt's gone. What does that mean Are the Texans a team we should still see as a contender in the a f C. I don't know, But what I do know is they're in a dog fight just to win this division and get in the playoffs. Because the Colts, whether you like them or not, UM

are five and two and they in first place. So the Texans need to keep pace. And now they get a Jaguars team. And this is kind of like a home game because although there's a ton of fans from all different UM for all different teams in the UK that flocked to these games, as as we recall, you saw all sorts of jerseys at the at those games, the Jaguars have the biggest fan base UH in England.

So there's gonna be a nice It's gonna be a nice home game for the Jaguars and the Jaguars team that played very well last week against the bad Jets team. But still Gardner means Chew the second uh playing with a lot of confidence. I did, Mark, You'll be happy to know that I did put some thought. We had to do our NFL dot Com mid season picks about

making him the offensive Rookie of the Year choice. I didn't go with it, but if he kept if he keeps playing like this, yeah, he's gonna be hard to play. Kyler Murray was, well, it's a prediction for the end of the season. I think so far. To me he would be the runaway winner with Jacobs as as kind of distance. Kyler Murray's improvement over the last few inches played stay far far better. People love the head band and the mustache, and not enough people are watching this

guy actually play football. He was a third down conversion machine last week and this. There are only three quarterbacks in the NFL with a better touchdown to interception ratio, and they're all either Super Bowl winners or former m v p s Mahomes, Russell Wilson, and Aaron Rodgers. They are the worst team in the NFL in the red zone. So I don't know if that's been their story. Like, I don't think total blame for that. I do think sometimes I put a little too much on touchdown to interception.

But he's done everything else well. He he does avoid mistakes, he does throw down the field all he does make good decisions. This is one of the biggest Jaguars games they've had in London. I mean, the Jaguars are sneaky up there in terms of the losing this franchise, not to their fans. They have one winning season in the last twelve one and they have a chance here. And this is the week because they have to buy and Folds is eligible to come back after the bye. Minshew

wins this week, there's no chance that they're gonna bench him. Yep. I think they've got to find a way to get to Deshaun Watson, who I went going back and watching that game. I just and it's it's redundant at this point, but he does stuff every week that is just unbelievable to the eyes. And they the Texans. I don't think that they're the kind of team that can go and

beat New England. I just don't. But I think they can go and beat almost any team in the league because of their quarterback and he I I you're gonna have to find a way to punish him early and often for the Jaguars not to get in a hold, because I don't think Jacksonville is the kind of team that can really if they they're good when they have the lead and they can start to pound you with the run. And I don't love Leonard four Nette, but

he's had a good season for them. Overall. They're not a team that, if they get down by seventeen points, has a shot in this game. Houston, we've talked about as top heavy all season, and it doesn't get more top heavy than that defense losing why he's been double teams more. According to it was a CBS broadcast last week than anyone in the league by a massive amount.

Second place in that standings was Jadevan Clowney, a guy that could use right about now because they just don't have a lot and it was a defense that was struggling. I like the Jaguars in this game, if you know, if I have to pick one, I like it. I think it's a field goal game. I think it's gonna be a very good game. That's why I picked it, and I'm feeling great about it. I thought that would be kind of like one of those prime time things, but you took it. I like it West. It's snakes

to you, baby, Well. I got a grass field game here, and this is gonna be a rock fight. The Colts at the Steelers. I'm not sure boring Colts got fifteen points out of their offense last week, and the Steelers don't have a quarterback. You have the Colts a lot for someone who doesn't think the first time I had him? All, yeah, I thought you had him last week. No, I don't

think I ever. Colts brocas Ricky reports that James Conner is not playing as of now, as now that he has not been ruled out, though he's not been officially ruled up, but he didn't show up again. And but breaking news Patriot to release a wide receiver Josh gordon Off, I r thank you for that, but that that is just a matter of bookkeeping. We were aware of that, right. But I'm just letting you know you're going to break do breaking news. You know here, I think you'd say.

Trent Williams just said he had cancer and he's had it for six years and the Redskins misdiagnosed. Why are you like pull like saying you gotta like the wow? Okay, Greg, do you want to which is well that let's talk about that. Wait, what what's going on? Is he okay? Fred Williams told reporters that he was diagnosed with cancer over the summer and that he had had it for six years, and that's part of the reason why he's

been up so upset with the Redskins training staff. He's also making it clear um that he's it doesn't look like he's going to play for the Redskins, even though he did pascific he said, quote, I almost lost my life. He had cancer in his body for six years before it was diagnosed. Didn't we know that he had a tumor removed in the offseason, Yes, but but we didn't know it was year. It was a growth on his head, which also connects with the that the helmet was giving

him discomfort. That wasn't good. Totally out of it. It feels like a good excuse not to play. Yeah, I would say so this is not a Jalen Ramsey situation. Sorry to bring the you know, it's it's fine, just you know, kind of help you guys when I can, Um, I let you know that James Conner has it's going to be it's big. He's miss practice. Coach Domin did say earlier in the week that he could practice Friday. That's kind of the key day for him. But it's

trending towards him being sel that is huge. Uh. If they don't have Connor, I don't think you know, they're pretty mediocre team to begin with. Then he snails out for two to three weeks. This whole. Like the Steelers fan and beat writer, confidence that this team is gonna win nine or ten games is really on my radar. I don't understand it. They're a good not great defense, similar to they have every year. I think their defense is better than that, and they've improved throughout the end.

The quarterback has a problem, that's the bigger quarterbacks a huge problem. Game manager. Hey, if the Ravens lose against the New England Patriots, which is highly possible, and the Steelers win, there one game out for his place in the North. Now with you. I'm with you. I don't think the Steelers are a real deal team, but I I understand why there would be some excitement that the season is not over and when you start three, Uh, that that's a great thing to feel like you have

some hope. Greg has suggested the Ravens will beat the Patriots, and his picks columns the cot the cults. Uh. The problem is they have played seven games. All seven have come down to one score, almost every all seven have come down to the last possessions. They're sixteenth in passing, fourteen and defense there's between fourteen and sixteen and every possible stat that's just kind of all their wins have been seven points or less. Three of them have been

by three points or less. They're the only team in the league that has not had an offensive lineman miss and in a single snap. And that's the recipe for that. I mean, that's what they are. And we talked about the teams with the good offensive lines like the culture going to hang aroun until the end because of it. Two things happened last week that provide hope that they might get a little more exciting. Paris Campbell finally came back from his hamstring injury. Didn't do much, but they

really need to start featuring him. And Niah Hines was used more in the passing game. He's one of the few running backs in the league who actually runs routes. They need to use him. Alright, West's give me. I'll take my Titans if you're gonna just give them to h me, you know, I mean we are going to just I mean, that's the best, best team, best game left on the board here Titans at Panthers. Uh Mark and I talked about this a little bit. I have

lost all trust in Kyle Allen. I think he's broken and they need to play Cam Newton as what I think. It sounds like he's legitimately just not ready though, and that they think next week would be the first week that he's healthy. Because I'm with you, I really don't. I know there's been weird stuff around Cam Newton, and I still think there is. But I do believe that they just don't think he's ready to play. I I think they would want him in this lineup for this game.

Their their favorite pretty significantly they are. I'm surprised. Yeah, who do you think is the better team in this game? I don't know. The one thing watching that Niners game, they were eaten up by for the Panthers like just make it forget about it. But I understand why you watch and you're like, well, the Niners have done that to every team basically anybody. Like the Panthers offense against the Bucks in London. Now their offense is worse. It's

mostly that I just like their players better. That they just have more players that can make a difference. As you know, the Titans are on a two game winning streak where they've you know, Tannehills look good, but he's played two of the worst defensive backfields in the league. They've won both of those games essentially because they stopped the other team on like a fourth and short comes down to one play. I mean, these are coin flip games, and this is kind of what the Titans are. This

is the John Robinson experience. He's put this team together and I think it kind of looks good on paper, but when you roll it out there, I mean, there's no reason to think this is anything about an eight or nine win teams. When we saw the Panthers in London, the Bucks shutdown Christian McCaffrey for the most point up apart. And when you do that, I mean, Kyle made a couple of plays in that game, but they really won the game with their defense and their ability to create turnovers.

Last week obviously was a total wipeout. So yeah, I'll be interested to see I mean, even even last week, somehow McCaffrey ended up with a hundred fifty yards a touchdown or but I gotta ruin my sandwich prop. I had Dalvin Cook, you know, beating everyone in yards from scrimmage right now, Cook is up by about forty yards, but he's played one extra game. McCaffrey is just he's got to carry him. Were two of them are way ahead of the entire league. Though. It's a good matchup

because the Titans young inside linebackers are really good. Jayon Brown is one of the best players in the league that nobody knows about in Rashaun Evans is playing pretty well too. Tannehill, this is a week where I think, well, we'll see if he's always a beat late on throws. You you talked on Tuesday's show about quarterbacks that need to see it or the ones that he is definitely someone that needs to see it, and you saw it last sweet he's just a beat late a few times.

And the Panthers playing the zone that they do, maybe they make them pay. Um, all right, I will take the Gaze Bowl, the toilet Bowl, the Jets at the Dolphins. Um, is this game being televised? Are we certain? I don't know if I not gonna be like the CBS sent a crew there or believe I believe that's in the works. But you're it's a fair. I'm just because I'm getting a third game here because Dan uh took the London game and messed the whole thing up. I want to

see which announcers that's supposed to be. You know, we're all gonna watch that. We're all gonna watch that. That's cheating. It's certainly not cheating. I just I thought that that should be uh open seasons and some people might want to sleep in. Well, you just got me all excited about that. This is we only have two games now we have to later. It ruined the whole strategy. Spirodidas

and Adam Archoletta drew this one. I Um, I've been talking to some Sparrows about the Jets because people take pity on me, so people that have connections to the organization they're telling me things, which is good, it's fun, um, but I'm hearing some very bad things behind the scenes. We know what's going on with the Jets above ground, but underground it doesn't sound a lot better. Right now, I think this is a team that's really um in

a bit of a tail spin. And if they do not win in Miami, and maybe this is a good thing for the for the team long term. Because not only is to put them in the running for the number one pick overall, but also the firestorm will build about Adam Gates being a one and done guy in New York if if they lose so Um, if you're a Jet fan, that's and you hate being this type of Jet fan because it seems to happen too often where you're basically looking ahead to next year and okay

with them being just absolutely dreadful. I hope that's not the case. I'm still rooting for the Jets because I do think at the end of the day, Um, Sam Donald is a guy that I want to see progress from this year. And if if you do go down that road of I hope they go one in fifteen, well that means that Donald probably struggles for the rest

of the season or gets hurt or something terrible. So I want to see Donald um put this little turnover binge behind him, because as good as he was on a first drive against the Jaguars, they did nothing as an offensive chance and he was getting absolutely snowed under by the offensive. I like how other teams are being able to fix things as the season go go along. It seems like the Jets offensive line is somehow getting worse. That was a jail break situation for three quarters and

so yes, m don't get this kid hurt. I swear to guy, I will bail on this team. I will get out and I will take my two sons and all the money that they'll pump into your organization with me. If you get this kid hurt because you can't get the offensive line figured out. This is new ground for you. You've never threatened to bail on the jump. I've never been this disillusioned as I am in the Adam Gates era.

And I just need them to not get Donald hurt or mess him up emotionally or physically, get through the season and see some growth. I'm obviously not going to get an exciting December and January even or November, but let me see Donald have a chance out there, because he certainly didn't the last couple of weeks. I wonder if this has ever happened in the history of the NFL. But let's say, let's say they lost to the Dolphins

and Gaze is out, uh, sooner than we think. And Greg Williams has made interim head coach for two different teams over the course of two seasons that did fix Cleveland's offensive line last year somehow down the stretch with the same cast of characters. Not saying that that's going to happen to the Jets, but it's more likely from what's been heard. We don't need to hear. I'm not preparing a speech similar to Jove. It was an interim. It might be more years. It might be more likely

that Greg Williams gets fired in season. I'll leave it at that. I think, yeah, a lot of times his coaches, his head coaches, don't seem to love whatever he's doing, either behind the scenes or talking to media. Good job, all right, we don't need to talk about thoughts. Have no pass. I don't know. I hope this week, well, yeah, he's out for the year. I believe right he's an I r um. But this game doesn't need anymore analysis.

But I will say that the Dolphins have steadily improved, and they even had a fourteen nothing lead, of course last week before that awful play call by Brian Floores at the end of the second quarter. Um, this is a field goal or touchdown game. This is there's no blowout happening here. This team shout out to Ryan Fitzpatrick for playing with joy in what should be terrible situation. He really is the right man for this job, because I think I think they'd be the worst team in NFL. Hell,

he's gonna We're gonna beat someone. They're gonna beat someone one of these weeks. You know, me and she was killing the shots on third down. Everyone's on this jet defense on third down this year, and watch fits Magic do the same thing all right up next, Mark Seiler, Well, I don't like this at all because now I'm stuck with this four pm game right across from the Browns,

Broncos Bucks at Seattle. I will say this that I filed we filed our revised Super Bowl picks this year, and I know everyone just picked the page in the Packers. I know, why are we allowed to do that at the midway point? But I picked Seattle just to win the whole thing because there's something about this team. I enjoy watching them week to week. They are not the best team in the NFL. They have some issues, and for me, this is a game where the Seahawks are

a team that I dramatic. I don't know. I don't know because what I'm looking at on papers. It is as much as I enjoy watching Seattle on both sides of the ball, I do not enjoy watching Jamis Winston in the Bucks on offense outside of Mike Evans, and I just I think if you're Seattle, you have no excuses losing this thing, no excuses. What do the Bucks do better than the Seahawks right now? This has rushed the seventeen. I like the fuel of this one, although

they're not too different to me. The difference is one it has an m v P candidate and Russell Wilson, the other as Jameis wins Well, that's a big difference saying the rest of the Seahawks aren't very good. I mean, Lockett and Carson are good, but they don't really do much well as a team other than throw that questions getting you a hundred twenty carries every week these days. You mentioned on Sunday Show, Greg, so I'm not breaking news here, but I didn't I didn't love the look

at that second half. I know they were up twenty four nothing over the Falcons. Uh And you mentioned also that there was a goal line turnover, so that was garbage time A lot of time, A lot of times I just don't like, go kill a team, go put them to bed instead of just letting them hang around. And maybe that's what's gonna happen in this game too. But I do like the idea of of Seattle at home against the team that's, you know, so up and down with the Bucks. This feels like a I don't

think so. I actually think these two teams are pretty similar. I think the Bucks, if you are a Bucks homer, which maybe I still got that in me a little bit, had some things go well for them last week where they can feel good. It's two straight teams. I think they've held under three hundred yards. Lavanti David's playing really

well for them. Jamis Winston had It's funny that one of his best game, probably his best game of the year, came out of game where he turned the ball over whatever three times, but he threw the ball really well. And these two teams have the same amount of two score wins on the season. One. I mean, the Seahawks don't beat anyone easily. The difference is the Seahawks win close games and the Bucks lose him. I think the

Bucks front seven is way better than Pierre Paul. That's sort of what I he adds to that he had is having a pro Bowl year. I just I can't trust the quarterback to note completely sink the ship week got the week. I mean, you say they're very similar, but that is that's the finding trait of Tampa Bay right now, right, I just don't see that they are huge favorites in this game. And uh taking it rain.

It's like I like the Bucks to keep it close, you know, I take Peek Carroll over Bruce Arians please, I said, if we were, I thought he was forced into retirement from now practice. And by the way, I don't know because not many people. Um. Oh no, this is a prior Thursday night. It wasn't the train wreck we had to deal with last week. This is two weeks ago. Um Mark and I Mark officially took your place on Seahawks Corner. He moved right into your old room.

And remember you left a voicemail I did, I did. I wanted to talk to you about it, but you didn't pick up. Um screening, it's very clear that you obviously have regrets about leaving the corner. So now you're trying to convince yourself that Seattle is only a little bit better than the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and all these things. It's because there's some regret here. That's what I I I you know, I contain multitudes. I can enjoy many teams.

I'm not on the owner claims he has multitude. You're not gonna stop me from enjoying the things I enjoy about the Seahawks, But I'm not. I'm not convinced they're gonna be I've told you on NFL dot com that Seattle's going to the Super Bowl, all right, might be an opportunitey time to jump back on the bandwagon. So that is the draft. And Greg, if you want to kind of tag team Texans Jaguars together, why don't you

know Bucks Seattle? Because I have no interest to watch it happening and wasted our listeners time twenty minutes ago. So let's talk about some prime time alright, prime time football. In fact, it's time for a little road to victory talk. I have a Road to Victory presented by the United States Marine Corps. Yes, this is the game of the week. Uh, it is the New England Patriots eight and oh at

the Baltimore Ravens who are five and two. So the game's in Baltimore, We've gotten I mean, how many times, mark have we had an otherwise great prime time matchup, but they just stick it up in Foxborough and take all the edge out In this case they I don't think New England's ever played a game away from New England at night, so I think this is the first time this has ever happened. Um. So, now we have the Ravens, who are feeling real good about themselves obviously,

and the Patriots. And this stat jumped out to me, um that the Patriots leave the NFL and scoring This is the highest scoring average, uh than any of the other six Super Bowl winners in the bellcheck era. And the points allowed the fewest points they've allowed that beats any other the six Super Bowl winners. So this is statistically the best Patriots team ever. From that one metric, can I put a huge asterisks on the offense. Their offense ranks the league in yards per play and in

big plays. Yes, well, they're getting points from defense, stating points from defense and special teams in short fields and you score points. But there was a stat showing that they like their opponent, could have scored. They could have scored no points on offense and still won a couple of their games with defensive special teams. I think it's

like both things can be true. Their's schedule can have been the one of, if not the primary, reason for these outrageous stats, especially the one that they've out their defense has scored more they've given up. That's that wouldn't happen without the schedule, and they can be the best or the second best defense in the league. I don't think it's gonna be at an historic level. And I do think Lamar Jackson presents a unique challenge because they play a lot of man coverage, more than any team

in the league. It's what they do well, and Lamar Jackson eats up man coverage because when you play man coverage, you have your back to the quarterback and the guys scrambling all over and they're slow. If they if they have any weakness, it's that they don't have great team speed. That's very often the Patriots is, you know, defensive weakness and Lamar I don't think that's gonna be a high scoring game. I don't think the Ravens defense will get off or anything, but I do think he presents a

pretty unique challenge for them. You picked, as we said at the top of the show, you picked the raven to hand the Pats their first loss. Yeah, how does it happen? I think it's a defensive game. I think that's two groups where the Patriots offense. I think we'll have their stuff together by the end of the year. Isaiah win win returns check Mason. You get some new they figure out their problems, the running game gets a

little bit. The running game is so bad, it's the worst running game they've had in again since since two thousand one probably, and he got it going at the end. And the Ravens defense similarly started poorly. But I think they're really coming together. And so I think the Ravens defense is a little ahead of where the Patriots offense is. And it's a low scoring game that the Ravens find a way to win. A much better special teams uh in Baltimore two ranked number one by Football Outsiders, and

it's the worst Patriots special teams in fifteen years. And if the Browns can run on your defense, then surely the Ravens can run on your defense. I mean, don't get carried away. I think it's it should be a good game, But I don't see them as a sixteen and old team. So where are these losses going to come from? A tough opponent on I was surprised with how well Cleveland ran on New England last week because that's not been the case with them at all. I

think this is a Belichick fever dream. The chance and the challenge of going up against Lamar Jackson. I'm sure he's put in in the extra homework. I just trust if if they if it's if man coverage is gonna get them fried, then they're gonna shift out of that and do different things. He's he's spyproof because there's no linebacker out there fast enough where it even matters. Look

what he did to Bobby Wagner. Yeah he made that's that's he made Bobby Wagner look insane on some of those plays where he was, you know, three steps behind. They don't have the guy maybe to do that. They also get Hollywood Brown back, which is they really missed him, and they get Jimmy Smith backs And now I don't know how big of a role he's gonna play, but he's not even one of your top two cornerbacks anymore. I just think these are two of the best teams.

And all I can pictures Chris Collinsworth crowing about how incredible the game plan was by the Patriots, how they've confused Lamar Jackson and they they have taken away what he does best. Because there's one every bill bill check the team can do is they find who your best player is and they neutralize them. Can we get tight on this is my analysis of the game. Can you see that? Can you see that camera three? Maybe? Can

you get in on that? That's the score of their final record audio that's gonna say that that feels like New England's and uh and I think it's this will just be another uh skip Merry skip through the forest of glory. As I don't think this offense is good enough to go sixteen. I don't either with the next five weeks, and I don't find I don't think they want to. I mean, of course they would want to, but I think of course they would want to. But I think as a Patriots fan, a loss is good.

The weight of trying to get there, that's that's you know, I think you as a fan, though Patriots fan, not wanting them to go six I just think that it might be better off for them, and that's what the too. Maybe they were, I mean that is, but they all say I talk about first world issues. I mean like that, you know, it's better if the team goes fifteen and one.

He's saying, he can imagine the scenario of concerts. I can more imagine the scenario of Belichick going have these these bye week You know, articles from all the Patriots beat writers just about how Belichick is putting them back in pads and saying how miserable they are because they just had their loss and this is their perfect Like it's gonna be Belichick's dream to have a loss before a bye week in the middle of the season. This

is great. We've been doing this. We've been watching these Patriots for twenty years, and all the narratives just keep coming up over and over and over. There's only one There's only one thing left for this team to do this, this era, this Belichick Brady era, is to go nineteen or no. So I think it's incredibly important to this team. And they don't want a little loss to like take off the pressure or whatever you're saying. Well, they want it.

They want they see theory. I guess that would be Belichick. Every man on that roster, and especially the big man with the hoodie. I do think he and he has to be in the QB. The turned back the clock element to this season. Not only that the defense is the dominant one, but they're very similar like a veteran linebacker group. Uh. You got the star player at cornerback in Gilmore. Uh, and I don't know, you've got a team that just figures out, like wayte of what he

loves that they're not losing. This guy. Let's pick the game Mark Patriots nine, Ravens fourteen and Ravens twenty three, Patriots seventeen, Patriots sixteen, raven zero. Oh, that's the score of the games. And it's an and scenario. I have the Ravens winning by a field. All right, that was the road to victory presented by the United States Marine. All Right. Monday Night Football and old NFC East clash the Cowboys and Giants. It's been a while since we

have Cowboys and Giants in prime time. He here it is again and uh, the Cowboys coming off the bye week. The last time we saw them also in primetime Sunday Night. They absolutely hammered the Eagles, and now they go to the meadow Lands to face the Giants. Mark Sessler, you tracked our last Giants contest and Daniel Jones uh lit

it up statistically. Uh So, I guess the hope here for the gimon There's two things that Jones continues to trend in the right direction, and now with another week off, that se Kwan Barkley is all the way back from that ankle spring. Yeah. I mean, Jones also made a few killer errors in that game, which he's done week after week. But you know, I think it's funny. There's polls popped up on the on Twitter this week about which team would you rather which quarterback would you rather have?

Sam Donald or Daniel Jones? And I can't believe anyone would pick Daniel Jones at this point, just based on what I believe one of my least favorite like Twitter sports, it's predictable, whoever is I When you're at the absolute lowest point the guy that would usually you win the poll, you just throw the pole out there and then well, I mean this is a fair question, all right, Look, what's one of the worst quarterbacks in the league on the so called potential of Sam I think, yeah, Donald

in theory has more potential. But if you flip his rookie season with the second season. Same thing with Mayfield. People would be gotten crazy about uh their starts to their career, but they look they've shown so much as rookies that you're not as worried. I think Dania Jones has shown a lot. I am not. If I was a Giants fan, I would not be worried at all about him. I like what I've seen out of him. How about your boy? Your boy Darius Slayton. Greg beat

Rashaan Melvin twice for touchdowns last week. They have playmakers and they're getting Sterling Shepard back. This is not an easy matchup for the Cowboys, and yet the Cowboys came. I mean that Eagles game. We kind of didn't spend too much time on it, but that's one of the best games any teams had all year because you had your star players like Lawrence and vander Ess really show

up at that. Zeke at his best game of the year, and then you all of a sudden get healthy in the bye where the tackles are back in Cobb and Cooper are back. It's like this team should be ready to go roll. Look what this team has. Check all the boxes. Franchise quarterback, all pro running back, top five auto offensive line, legit, number one receiver, promising number two receiver, reliable slot guy. You got a gadget guy in Tavon Austin. Change a pace back and Pollard. Go over to the defense.

They've got bookended edge rushers with Lawrence and Robert Quinn, deep interior linebacker, crew, veterans, secondary, and then you throw in a kicker with a sixty yard leg. This team's got everything. And you know coaching, okay, maybe the head coach you're not excited about. And they did have a three game losing streak. However, I'm sure you'll point to the injuries that they were beat up and that explains most of that slump. Well, the injuries, and they played

close games. This team isn't getting blown out. They weren't. They weren't playing up to their catalibar on defense. No, that's true, but this team is still number four in in d v O A total d v A. They're one of the top five teams in the NFL. Michael Bennett could be a huge addition. We didn't hit that trade really just because it was a strange timing. He can still play, I mean he did last year, and he didn't fit with what Belichick wanted to do because

they suddenly changed to a three four. That's another thing where they're turning back the clock. They wanted him to occupy blockers. He wasn't having that. The few snaps he played, he had some quarterback hits, he had a sack. Like he played great last year. I think he could be a pretty big addition. Fits he fits on the Cowboys. I that Jets loss for Dallas, to me was all

about injuries. I mean they were as banged up as any team in the NFC for a couple of weeks there, and then you get your you have no offensive line, you get that back, and I just think Dallas still leads the league in weekly yardage. I know yardage just gets we don't care about yards, and it's relatively means, but it's four hundred and thirty nine yards a week. They are a productive offense. And Kellen Moore's name vanished off the buzzy radar because of that losing streak, but

wealthy again. They look phenomenal against Philadelphia. Not just total yards and number one in offensive d v o A. Give us a good game, Danny Dimes, give us some some pop, some fun on Monday night football. You don't have to win, but let's keep this interesting. Robert Quinn and DeMarcus Lawrence have been among the most double team players in the league. So have Bennett. You know, keeps his head on straight and gets a lot of snuffs. Maybe he can. I like the double team statue bringing

to the table. Got some numbers for You've got some figures, got some data thanks to Jeff Greenholds in his team. He does a great job. Jeff Greenholtz and the NFL research team. Not only do they unexpected late show shout out, not only does the Greenholders Bang do great work, and week after week they do it some fun. There's a little bit of mirth in there the research analysis, which sinks up nicely with our program. I think they hired some funny men along the way, because that wasn't the case,

you know, a couple of seasons back. I mean, most importantly, Jeff Greenholtz has listened to our podcast from the beginning, and that's why we're butter. Also, NFL Media is arguably most eligible bachelor that just was. It wasn't aware of that handsome man mats to go skiing, athletic type. All right,

where are we going? I don't know. We'll be back uh tonight, Westling, Westling, Jam, Lakisha and Chris will handle Thursday night football recap Niners Cardinals, and then we'll all be back on Sunday Night and God willing to recap all the games we just previewed, so there might be as much analysis of us handing out candy as there is of the game. Do I like that? Well, that's something to look forward to. All right, Ricky, let's get out of here. Stand hands a signing off four quiet storm,

the mailman, the old Boss, Ricky Hollywood. Is Greenholts available? I don't know. I'm gonna check in with him. Maybe he's off the mark. You've announced it already, Phil, Sunday Night s