WEBVTT - #13: Can Sam Darnold win a Super Bowl? 0:00:04.743 --> 0:00:07.343 NFL Power Rankings is a production of the NFL in 0:00:07.423 --> 0:00:08.943 partnership with iHeartRadio. 0:00:10.743 --> 0:00:13.623 Welcome to a brand new edition of NFL Power Rankings. 0:00:13.703 --> 0:00:16.543 If you want complete analysis of all the teams, all 0:00:16.583 --> 0:00:18.383 you have to do is check out Eric's article on 0:00:18.543 --> 0:00:21.103 NFL dot com. Eric, it's wild to me. I had 0:00:21.143 --> 0:00:23.263 a couple teams before the season started that I thought 0:00:23.263 --> 0:00:26.543 could win a Super Bowl, and yet sometimes I'm wrong. 0:00:26.663 --> 0:00:29.023 Actually usually I'm wrong. But I cannot wait to hear 0:00:29.063 --> 0:00:31.823 where you think some of those teams actually deserve to 0:00:31.863 --> 0:00:33.983 be in your latest edition of the Power Rankings. 0:00:34.423 --> 0:00:37.463 Absolutely right. I had the forty nine ers near the 0:00:37.543 --> 0:00:39.223 very top the start of the season. I was a 0:00:39.223 --> 0:00:42.223 big Bengals believer. Believe I had them in the top ten. 0:00:42.623 --> 0:00:44.983 You know, we can go down the list, Cowboys. You know, 0:00:45.023 --> 0:00:47.303 there are other teams that certainly fit that bill, and 0:00:47.903 --> 0:00:49.543 we've kind of pushed them to the side. Mike, I'm 0:00:49.543 --> 0:00:52.023 sorry they're not in that upper half right now. They're 0:00:52.343 --> 0:00:53.663 kind of out of the picture and looking in. 0:00:53.943 --> 0:00:56.263 Yeah, they are. But we still have some premier teams 0:00:56.303 --> 0:00:59.143 that have absolutely balled this season, and not necessarily a 0:00:59.183 --> 0:01:01.183 ton of change at the top of the rankings. As 0:01:01.223 --> 0:01:04.303 we go through some of your squads. Here in fact, 0:01:04.343 --> 0:01:06.823 with the top four teams, with the Lions, the Bills, 0:01:06.863 --> 0:01:09.543 the Eagles, and the Kansas City Chiefs in that order 0:01:09.863 --> 0:01:12.943 sit one through four. By the way, from a Lion's perspective, 0:01:13.103 --> 0:01:16.863 eleven and one. That is the best start in franchise history. 0:01:17.103 --> 0:01:19.743 The Vikings maybe not getting nearly enough love. I'm gonna 0:01:19.743 --> 0:01:22.503 make sure we talk about them. The Packers sit at 0:01:22.583 --> 0:01:24.863 number six. Cannot wait to see them on Thursday Night 0:01:24.903 --> 0:01:28.623 Football against the Lions squad at seven, it's the Steelers 0:01:28.743 --> 0:01:32.583 rust with over four hundred passing yards he was cooking 0:01:32.863 --> 0:01:35.903 in week number thirteen. And the Ravens at eight. Yeah, 0:01:35.943 --> 0:01:38.703 we have a real kicking problem. Time for the team 0:01:38.703 --> 0:01:42.343 of the week. Instead of one singular team, I'm gonna 0:01:42.383 --> 0:01:45.263 ask you about the group of the top four, Eric, 0:01:45.823 --> 0:01:47.943 These are really talented teams, and yet as I was 0:01:47.983 --> 0:01:50.503 watching some of these games unfold, I started to hedge 0:01:50.543 --> 0:01:52.743 over the weekend and say, is this the right order? 0:01:52.743 --> 0:01:55.063 So I'm gonna frame it this way to you. Of 0:01:55.143 --> 0:01:57.423 the top four teams, who do you think is best 0:01:57.463 --> 0:02:00.223 situated to make a deep run and more importantly, win 0:02:00.263 --> 0:02:00.823 a Super Bowl? 0:02:02.263 --> 0:02:04.743 Yeah? It may not reflect how I have him right now. 0:02:04.783 --> 0:02:06.583 I mean I always say it's what the team is 0:02:06.663 --> 0:02:08.983 at this very moment, right and we can obviously have 0:02:09.023 --> 0:02:11.863 a big effect on the rankings. Didn't this week, But yeah, 0:02:11.863 --> 0:02:14.263 if you just take those top four, I can obviously 0:02:14.303 --> 0:02:16.703 make a case for the Kansas City Chiefs. We know 0:02:16.743 --> 0:02:19.623 their recent track record. They're going for their third straight 0:02:19.663 --> 0:02:22.103 Super Bowl. I can clearly make a case for the Lions. 0:02:22.103 --> 0:02:25.063 They've been the best team arguably weeks one through now 0:02:25.983 --> 0:02:28.623 in the NFL this season. Certainly could make a case 0:02:28.623 --> 0:02:30.623 for the Bills the way they're playing, killing the Niners. 0:02:30.623 --> 0:02:32.383 But I'm gonna go with the Eagles just because I 0:02:32.463 --> 0:02:34.383 think that win over the Ravens did kind of tell 0:02:34.463 --> 0:02:37.063 us a lot about them as a team. They played 0:02:37.103 --> 0:02:41.183 phenomenal ball since the buy. They march into Baltimore come 0:02:41.183 --> 0:02:43.783 out with a win after falling behind by two scorers. 0:02:43.983 --> 0:02:46.303 It really was a statement victory in a lot of ways. 0:02:46.663 --> 0:02:50.063 Up by two scores late before the cosmetic touchdown, but 0:02:50.543 --> 0:02:52.903 they could beat you in so many ways. The long ball, 0:02:52.983 --> 0:02:57.103 the power run game, the finesse run game, the screen game. Defensively, 0:02:57.143 --> 0:03:01.023 they've gotten so good the secondary Zach Bonnett, linebacker Jalen 0:03:01.063 --> 0:03:04.863 Carter wrecking people on defense. It's really a full team 0:03:04.863 --> 0:03:07.463 effort right now, and it's been impressive to watch after 0:03:07.983 --> 0:03:10.623 you know, frankly a disappointing season, even one that started 0:03:10.663 --> 0:03:12.663 ten to one a year ago. So I'm buying on 0:03:12.703 --> 0:03:14.463 the Eagles even if they are number three in my 0:03:14.503 --> 0:03:15.543 power rankings right now. 0:03:15.743 --> 0:03:17.543 I also think you made a really good point in 0:03:17.583 --> 0:03:20.823 your article about all of these teams on NFL dot Com. 0:03:20.863 --> 0:03:23.343 The Eagles an easier schedule than the Lions the rest 0:03:23.343 --> 0:03:25.783 of the way, so I think there's a reasonable conversation 0:03:25.823 --> 0:03:27.983 about home field advantage what's going to end up being 0:03:27.983 --> 0:03:30.223 more important. I'm glad I'm not alone here because I've 0:03:30.263 --> 0:03:32.823 been loving up this Lions team all season long. But 0:03:32.863 --> 0:03:34.743 after the win that the Eagles had against the Ravens, 0:03:35.023 --> 0:03:37.703 game is done, and I sort of lean back on 0:03:37.743 --> 0:03:39.223 the couch for a second. I was like, are they 0:03:39.263 --> 0:03:42.783 better than Detroit? Because that was a really impressive win. 0:03:43.063 --> 0:03:45.783 Although once again I can story every single one of 0:03:45.823 --> 0:03:48.503 these losses for the Ravens, it's still a little bit 0:03:48.503 --> 0:03:50.943 of a head scratcher. We'll talk about Baltimore in just 0:03:50.983 --> 0:03:52.903 a second, but I want to move on to number five, 0:03:52.943 --> 0:03:55.983 the Minnesota Vikings. In any other year we're talking about 0:03:55.983 --> 0:03:58.263 them as one of the premier teams. Got double digit 0:03:58.303 --> 0:04:01.623 wins already. I started the show asking you about perception. 0:04:01.823 --> 0:04:04.943 Is our perception of Sam Darnold the reason why this 0:04:05.023 --> 0:04:07.223 team does not get more love nationally? 0:04:08.383 --> 0:04:11.863 Yeah? I think there's absolutely something too that the Darnald factor. Right, 0:04:11.903 --> 0:04:13.663 you look at the teams above them on the list, 0:04:13.703 --> 0:04:17.903 they have more established quarterbacks or more established systems perhaps, 0:04:17.983 --> 0:04:19.623 And you know, there has been a little bit of 0:04:19.663 --> 0:04:21.703 volatility for a ten to two team. You know, they've 0:04:21.703 --> 0:04:23.983 had some ups and downs, they've blown some big leads, 0:04:24.023 --> 0:04:26.863 they've had a fight off some lesser teams. But you're right. 0:04:26.903 --> 0:04:29.063 I mean, you know, a couple of years ago they 0:04:29.063 --> 0:04:31.263 won a lot of football games, and I think everything 0:04:31.343 --> 0:04:34.423 was undone because they lost that wildcard game to the Giants. 0:04:34.463 --> 0:04:36.583 But you know, we shouldn't forget the fact that they 0:04:36.583 --> 0:04:39.783 were a competitive team with all the quarterback injuries last year. 0:04:40.063 --> 0:04:43.263 And Donald has been pretty darned steady all things considered, 0:04:43.263 --> 0:04:46.743 as he'd been amazing. I don't know, but really from 0:04:46.783 --> 0:04:50.183 overtime against Chicago, I think until now, you know, he's 0:04:50.183 --> 0:04:52.343 played some pretty good ball and has the Lions in 0:04:52.423 --> 0:04:55.143 a great spot. Excuse me, the Vikings in a great 0:04:55.183 --> 0:04:58.223 spot heading into that big game against the Lions on Thursday. 0:04:58.543 --> 0:05:00.183 You know, I think everyone makes a big deal about 0:05:00.183 --> 0:05:02.343 the quarterback, and rightfully so. You'd want one of the 0:05:02.423 --> 0:05:05.623 more talented guys than not have one the most talented guys. 0:05:05.743 --> 0:05:07.583 Say what you want about Sam Darnold, who once again 0:05:07.623 --> 0:05:11.463 is just delivering this season. Joe Burrow is top five 0:05:11.543 --> 0:05:15.703 quarterback in the NFL and he's having, at least numbers wise, 0:05:15.823 --> 0:05:18.383 an MVP type season. Doesn't matter. They can't win some 0:05:18.383 --> 0:05:21.543 football games. This is a really good football team. Emphasis 0:05:21.703 --> 0:05:25.063 on the team part from a Vikings perspective, the Steelers 0:05:25.463 --> 0:05:28.383 checking in at number seven, I gotta tell you if 0:05:28.863 --> 0:05:31.103 they if the offense looks like you did this last 0:05:31.103 --> 0:05:33.463 time out, they are one of the scariest teams in 0:05:33.463 --> 0:05:36.463 the AFC. I just don't know how reliable that is, 0:05:36.543 --> 0:05:39.183 considering some of the hiccups leading into this pass game 0:05:39.223 --> 0:05:40.343 that they had had offensively. 0:05:41.903 --> 0:05:44.583 Yeah, I think you should start the game tape immediately 0:05:44.663 --> 0:05:47.983 after the pick six, which really wasn't what Russell Wilson's fault. 0:05:48.143 --> 0:05:49.823 It may not have been pickings fault. There may have 0:05:49.823 --> 0:05:53.303 been a call there that went uncalled, but absolutely did 0:05:53.303 --> 0:05:56.143 Wilson look good on Sunday. I mean, this is the Bengals. 0:05:56.183 --> 0:05:58.543 They've had a lot of bad defensive performances. You can't 0:05:58.543 --> 0:06:01.343 overlook that. But you know, the long ball was there. 0:06:01.503 --> 0:06:03.903 The few opportunities he had, he took him and he 0:06:03.983 --> 0:06:07.143 hit him short and intermediate stuff. He was just carving 0:06:07.223 --> 0:06:10.263 up those Cincinnati zones all day long. And when it 0:06:10.303 --> 0:06:12.783 took time to, you know, move around a little bit 0:06:12.823 --> 0:06:15.263 and find guys like friar Me down the middle, he did. 0:06:15.263 --> 0:06:18.903 I mean, Russell Wilson has taken this job and run 0:06:18.943 --> 0:06:20.703 with it. I know the play has been a little 0:06:20.703 --> 0:06:23.783 bit up and down leading into this game, but I 0:06:23.823 --> 0:06:25.903 don't think there are very many questions about whether Mike 0:06:25.903 --> 0:06:28.383 Tomlin made the right decision. And they could still bring 0:06:28.423 --> 0:06:31.903 in justin Fields for a game ceiling scramble there at 0:06:31.943 --> 0:06:34.143 the end, and he's got his role. Wilson's got a 0:06:34.143 --> 0:06:34.983 bigger one right now. 0:06:35.423 --> 0:06:38.063 By the way, when Tomlin went to fields there, what 0:06:38.223 --> 0:06:40.223 was your going through your mind? Because personally, I was like, 0:06:40.383 --> 0:06:42.703 don't do this, don't do this. Then obviously right once 0:06:42.743 --> 0:06:46.103 again about the quarterback situation. Tomlin knows his guys. 0:06:47.023 --> 0:06:49.943 He knows his guys, he knows the situation. He's bypassed 0:06:49.983 --> 0:06:51.983 some of those opportunities in the past, but he took 0:06:51.983 --> 0:06:53.303 it late in the game and it paid off with 0:06:53.343 --> 0:06:55.743 a seven yard run. And yeah, I mean this is 0:06:55.743 --> 0:06:57.823 the kind of Steelers team that can make some noise 0:06:57.863 --> 0:06:59.143 in the playoffs. All right. 0:06:59.263 --> 0:07:01.623 Number eight, The team that I think has got the 0:07:01.623 --> 0:07:04.503 best roster in the NFL, and that is the Baltimore Ravens. 0:07:04.903 --> 0:07:07.783 There is now officially, if you didn't think there was before, 0:07:07.943 --> 0:07:10.143 you have to now there is a kicking problem with 0:07:10.543 --> 0:07:12.863 arguably the greatest kicker in the history of the game, 0:07:12.983 --> 0:07:15.703 who's probably you know, a Hall of Famer one. It's 0:07:15.743 --> 0:07:18.023 all said and done. What am I supposed to do 0:07:18.063 --> 0:07:20.663 if I'm a Ravens fan with the Justin Tucker situation? 0:07:21.943 --> 0:07:25.143 Yeah, eight miss field goals, two missed extra points on 0:07:25.223 --> 0:07:26.983 the season, you know, cost him in the in the 0:07:27.023 --> 0:07:30.823 Steelers game, cost him on Sunday as well. And you know, look, 0:07:30.943 --> 0:07:33.983 it was a close game. They could have made it 0:07:33.983 --> 0:07:36.543 a ten to nothing score. Misses that one missed two 0:07:36.663 --> 0:07:38.943 x two other kicks throughout the course of the game, 0:07:39.343 --> 0:07:41.623 had a chance to take the lead both times, couldn't 0:07:41.663 --> 0:07:44.343 do it. It really was frustrating. And look, this is 0:07:44.383 --> 0:07:47.383 a player who's obviously had, you know, built a reputation 0:07:47.423 --> 0:07:49.583 as one of the greatest kickers of all time, arguably 0:07:49.663 --> 0:07:53.223 the goat as far as kickers go. But this season 0:07:53.303 --> 0:07:55.343 has not gone according to plan. Now, most of the 0:07:55.423 --> 0:07:58.343 misses have been longer once right, they've been fifty and above. 0:07:58.343 --> 0:08:00.943 But we've seen the last three games he's missed some 0:08:01.063 --> 0:08:03.903 sub fifty yard kicks, and boy, this is the Ravens 0:08:03.903 --> 0:08:05.943 team that that hasn't been as proficient in the red 0:08:06.023 --> 0:08:08.143 zone every single week. So you know, this is the 0:08:08.223 --> 0:08:10.343 kind of opportunities that they have to cash in on 0:08:10.383 --> 0:08:12.503 if they want to be a serious Super Bowl contender. 0:08:12.543 --> 0:08:14.583 At this point, what do they do? I mean, they're 0:08:14.623 --> 0:08:16.983 sticking with them for now, but it's a tough tough call. 0:08:17.423 --> 0:08:19.783 Do you bring someone in to compete? 0:08:19.823 --> 0:08:21.543 I think I would at least have somebody at the 0:08:21.623 --> 0:08:24.863 ready on the practice squad, ready to go, maybe take 0:08:25.103 --> 0:08:27.703 you know, some of the kickoff duties away from things 0:08:27.743 --> 0:08:31.343 like that. But you know, John Harbon knows his team, 0:08:31.463 --> 0:08:34.103 knows his guy. There's also the chance that Tucker could 0:08:34.103 --> 0:08:36.183 work himself out of this slump, after all, you know, 0:08:36.263 --> 0:08:39.343 his his credentials. If there's a mechanical issue, a health issue, 0:08:39.583 --> 0:08:41.263 maybe they can figure it out. Yeah. 0:08:41.303 --> 0:08:43.863 I just don't know what the next move is because 0:08:43.863 --> 0:08:45.903 if it's a confidence thing and then you bring in 0:08:46.223 --> 0:08:48.183 a kicker to compete, I don't know if that sinks 0:08:48.183 --> 0:08:50.743 the point one way or another. Right, I don't know 0:08:50.903 --> 0:08:53.863 Justin Tucker like that. I mean, Harbond knows the strings 0:08:53.863 --> 0:08:56.743 to pull, but from a play calling perspective, I mean, 0:08:56.943 --> 0:09:00.423 it just it's got to change in absolutely in some 0:09:00.463 --> 0:09:02.743 of these games. By the way, crazy stat here five 0:09:02.823 --> 0:09:06.303 losses obviously for the Raisin Raven a combined point total 0:09:06.423 --> 0:09:09.103 in those games of twenty two. The miskicks in those 0:09:09.143 --> 0:09:13.663 games from Justin Tucker, those were worth twenty two points. 0:09:13.663 --> 0:09:16.223 All right. More to come here on power rankings. In fact, 0:09:16.423 --> 0:09:18.703 we were worried that the season was spiraling out of 0:09:18.703 --> 0:09:21.463 control for the Houston Texans. What does a win do 0:09:21.623 --> 0:09:28.863 for the perception of this team? The Dancers coming up next? 0:09:30.903 --> 0:09:34.103 Back here on power rankings, Squads nine through sixteen, The 0:09:34.183 --> 0:09:36.543 Charge are still a top ten team. One hundred and 0:09:36.543 --> 0:09:39.503 eighty seven total yards in a win against the Falcons, 0:09:39.503 --> 0:09:41.063 who we will talk about in just a moment. The 0:09:41.063 --> 0:09:45.583 Broncos victorious on Monday Night Football. At eleven, it's the Commanders. 0:09:45.663 --> 0:09:48.463 Nice to see Jayden Daniels get back into the win column. 0:09:48.743 --> 0:09:51.223 Same for the Texans, who are at twelve. At thirteen, 0:09:51.303 --> 0:09:55.263 a crazy overtime win for the Bucks against Carolina, who 0:09:55.263 --> 0:09:57.823 deserve some flowers. I know there's some losses for this 0:09:57.903 --> 0:10:00.783 Panther squad, but they're playing well. At fourteen, the Seahawks. 0:10:00.903 --> 0:10:03.623 Leonard Williams the big Man touchdown that was the difference 0:10:04.063 --> 0:10:07.383 in the game against his former squad, the Jets. At fifteen, 0:10:07.383 --> 0:10:09.623 it's the Cardinals. Two straight losses after a four game 0:10:09.623 --> 0:10:12.223 winning streak. That NFC West little dice you right now. 0:10:12.263 --> 0:10:15.143 Because the Rams sit at number sixteen. Their offense came 0:10:15.183 --> 0:10:18.823 alive against the Saints in the second half. All right, 0:10:18.943 --> 0:10:20.703 number ten, I want to focus and get your take 0:10:20.823 --> 0:10:23.983 on the Broncos. Bonex hadn't been turning the ball over 0:10:24.383 --> 0:10:26.223 Sue picks in this game. I don't know if they 0:10:26.223 --> 0:10:29.423 were necessarily his fall. There were some explosives in this game, 0:10:29.663 --> 0:10:31.783 but are you concerned about the defense that had been 0:10:31.783 --> 0:10:33.703 balling out and all of a sudden had some issues 0:10:33.743 --> 0:10:34.823 against Famous Jamis. 0:10:35.743 --> 0:10:37.903 Yeah, they came up with the big plays, right obviously, 0:10:37.903 --> 0:10:41.183 the two pick sixes and the game sort of ceiling interception. 0:10:41.263 --> 0:10:43.023 Nick Benito was great. He had a sack, a lot 0:10:43.063 --> 0:10:45.983 of pressures and one of those pick sixes. But yeah, 0:10:46.263 --> 0:10:50.783 the coverage, I mean, the secondary bus were at times glaring. 0:10:50.863 --> 0:10:53.303 I will say that Jamis did make some great throws. 0:10:53.303 --> 0:10:55.343 This was not one of them. Obviously he got baited 0:10:55.383 --> 0:10:59.383 into both interceptions maybe, but yeah, I mean, look, that's 0:10:59.423 --> 0:11:01.903 something you got to look for. And Jerry Jude going 0:11:01.943 --> 0:11:03.903 into his old house and tearing him up the way 0:11:03.943 --> 0:11:06.343 he did concern me. But you know, I will say too, 0:11:06.383 --> 0:11:09.343 I mean bow Knicks made some poor decisions in this game. 0:11:09.383 --> 0:11:11.663 I liked when he was playing within the confines of 0:11:12.023 --> 0:11:15.743 Sean Payton's offense a little bit more, and you know, 0:11:15.903 --> 0:11:18.743 taking those opportunities when they come like this pass right here. 0:11:18.783 --> 0:11:21.343 But there was some risk involved too, so bo Nick's 0:11:21.383 --> 0:11:23.543 got a little a little greedy at times, I thought. 0:11:23.583 --> 0:11:24.223 On Monday night. 0:11:24.503 --> 0:11:26.343 Yeah, by the way, Jerry Judy who you name dropped 0:11:26.343 --> 0:11:29.023 two hundred and thirty five receiving yards, the most ever 0:11:30.103 --> 0:11:33.783 in a revenge game by a wide receiver Beatto when 0:11:33.783 --> 0:11:35.303 he matched up against the Niners. I think it was 0:11:35.303 --> 0:11:37.743 two hundred and thirteen receiving yards. Point is Judy put 0:11:37.783 --> 0:11:41.263 on an absolute show at eleven. It is the Commander's 0:11:41.303 --> 0:11:44.223 get back in the win column. Here are they a 0:11:44.263 --> 0:11:46.063 dangerous team in the NFC? 0:11:47.143 --> 0:11:49.823 Yeah, you've been waiting for this kind of offensive breakout really, 0:11:49.943 --> 0:11:52.543 you know, since before the Hail Mary game. But it 0:11:52.583 --> 0:11:54.503 was great to see their run games start. I mean, 0:11:54.543 --> 0:11:56.783 Brian Robinson, I think is such an important part of 0:11:56.823 --> 0:11:59.263 what they do. You know, he was streaking into the 0:11:59.263 --> 0:12:02.183 open several times. That helped out Daniels quite a bit. 0:12:02.503 --> 0:12:04.823 It helped out Terry McLaurin. I mean, getting the ball 0:12:05.223 --> 0:12:08.063 to Robinson and Terry McLaurin early in games is never 0:12:08.103 --> 0:12:11.423 a bad thing in my opinion. The Commanders finally did that. 0:12:11.463 --> 0:12:13.743 And look, you can say, Okay, it's just the Titans, 0:12:13.743 --> 0:12:17.103 but Titans have been playing fairly competitive lately, and this 0:12:17.143 --> 0:12:19.583 is a good defense. Statistically, they still remain in the 0:12:19.583 --> 0:12:21.983 top ten even after giving up two hundred whatever yards 0:12:22.023 --> 0:12:24.663 on the ground, So this is a good defense that 0:12:24.743 --> 0:12:27.063 the Commanders had really a bounce back game against and 0:12:27.063 --> 0:12:29.743 that's always good to see, even if the wins haven't 0:12:29.743 --> 0:12:32.263 been there for Tennessee. So I think they're dangerous. They're back, 0:12:32.303 --> 0:12:34.903 but you know, they still have some questions to answer. 0:12:35.423 --> 0:12:38.423 Twenty three rushing touchdowns for the Commanders this season, second 0:12:38.423 --> 0:12:42.103 in the NFL only behind Jalen Hurt, Saquon Barkley and 0:12:42.103 --> 0:12:46.103 the Philadelphia Eagles. At thirteen, it's the Buccaneers. What an 0:12:46.143 --> 0:12:49.303 exciting game down the stretch against Carolina. But I'm going 0:12:49.383 --> 0:12:51.223 to take this thing big picture here, because they pull 0:12:51.303 --> 0:12:54.343 even with the Falcons inside that division. Atlanta's still in 0:12:54.383 --> 0:12:56.423 head because of the head to head that they have 0:12:56.663 --> 0:12:59.023 with that squad, but because of some of the disarray 0:12:59.103 --> 0:13:00.743 that we've seen, and I know the Bucks haven't been 0:13:00.783 --> 0:13:04.343 playing great, but they battled some injuries. Generally speaking, is 0:13:04.343 --> 0:13:06.783 the trending up for them to win the division? 0:13:08.143 --> 0:13:10.303 Yeah, I mean they've obviously been so competitive in a 0:13:10.303 --> 0:13:12.303 lot of these games. The two head to head losses 0:13:12.343 --> 0:13:15.783 against Atlanta really really sting right now because that momentum 0:13:15.783 --> 0:13:18.863 would be even stronger. But getting Mike Evans back into 0:13:18.943 --> 0:13:21.623 the offense was a huge development. You know, even if 0:13:21.623 --> 0:13:24.983 Baker wasn't great on Sunday, he had somebody could rely 0:13:25.103 --> 0:13:27.143 on and they may have a breakout star here at 0:13:27.183 --> 0:13:29.983 Bucky Irving who took I want to say, had thirteen 0:13:30.023 --> 0:13:32.503 touches in fourth quarter and overtime. You know, this is 0:13:32.543 --> 0:13:34.783 a guy who was averaging maybe thirteen a game for 0:13:34.823 --> 0:13:37.063 a big stretch of the season. Kind of took over 0:13:37.103 --> 0:13:39.863 that lead role for Rashad White. And give Mayfield credit. 0:13:39.903 --> 0:13:41.503 Even on a night when he didn't have his best stuff, 0:13:41.543 --> 0:13:45.223 he's still making things happen, living around, scrambling for first downs, 0:13:46.303 --> 0:13:49.303 enough plays from the defense just enough, and then Baker 0:13:49.343 --> 0:13:51.863 doing his thing along with the run game that it's 0:13:51.863 --> 0:13:54.543 a close win, but a much need to win for Tampa. 0:13:54.263 --> 0:13:56.623 Not for nothing. Man. You know, Baker Mayfield, He's slowly 0:13:56.663 --> 0:13:58.383 become one of my favorite guys in the league to 0:13:58.423 --> 0:14:02.543 go and watch. There's this moxie, this intensity confidence. You know, 0:14:02.623 --> 0:14:05.943 they go down late in regular and there's like thirty 0:14:05.943 --> 0:14:07.623 seconds I think they had at least one time out 0:14:07.663 --> 0:14:09.223 in hand. I'm like, they're gonna get in a field 0:14:09.223 --> 0:14:11.783 goal territory. Baker's gonna will it to happen, and he did, 0:14:11.783 --> 0:14:14.503 and they go on to win in overtime. Taking a 0:14:14.503 --> 0:14:17.623 look at the odds in the NFC West. This thing 0:14:18.263 --> 0:14:20.503 not exactly how we drew it up before the season. 0:14:20.503 --> 0:14:23.503 The Seahawks still the leaders of the pack. Arizona fouled 0:14:24.023 --> 0:14:26.703 following them. Then it's the Rams in that third position 0:14:26.743 --> 0:14:28.903 in the San Francisco forty nine ers, who will discuss 0:14:28.903 --> 0:14:31.383 a little bit later the worst odds right now to 0:14:31.423 --> 0:14:35.023 go and win this division. Let's look at team number 0:14:35.063 --> 0:14:38.543 four team. It is the Seahawks. What do I make 0:14:38.583 --> 0:14:41.263 of this team? I week to week here, I'm always 0:14:41.263 --> 0:14:42.623 a little confused about the squad. 0:14:43.863 --> 0:14:47.223 Yeah, and let's hope they don't have as adventurous a 0:14:47.303 --> 0:14:50.343 special team's day next week. Is they did Sunday against 0:14:50.343 --> 0:14:53.223 the Jets, against a better team, Maybe they can't come 0:14:53.263 --> 0:14:56.303 back from their self inflicted mistakes, the fumbles, the muffs, 0:14:56.543 --> 0:15:00.103 allowing a ninety nine yard touchdown, having an extra point blocked. Yes, 0:15:00.143 --> 0:15:02.263 they made a couple of field goals too, and made 0:15:02.263 --> 0:15:05.143 life tough for Aaron Rodgers. There put some pressure on 0:15:05.263 --> 0:15:08.063 him a little bit. But you know, I do give 0:15:08.103 --> 0:15:10.783 him credit for crawling back from a deficit like that. 0:15:10.943 --> 0:15:13.383 But I just don't know, man, there's something about this 0:15:13.423 --> 0:15:15.703 team that's kind of holding me back. Just a little bit. 0:15:15.743 --> 0:15:18.383 Even with that golden opportunity in the NFC West. 0:15:18.463 --> 0:15:20.263 You know what it is in first place, but we've 0:15:20.303 --> 0:15:24.783 seen some losses from them and some inconsistent inconsistency from 0:15:24.823 --> 0:15:27.823 Genosmith with some big turnovers. So it scares you a 0:15:27.863 --> 0:15:30.263 little bit. Charbonay though, if he runs like he did 0:15:30.303 --> 0:15:32.143 against the Jets, and by the way, even being down 0:15:32.183 --> 0:15:34.823 against Gangreen early in that game had me a little 0:15:34.823 --> 0:15:36.983 bit worried about what this team really could be. But 0:15:36.983 --> 0:15:40.783 if Sharbonay continues to run like this, he's an absolute force. Meanwhile, 0:15:41.023 --> 0:15:43.223 some big name teams before the year that had Super 0:15:43.223 --> 0:15:48.463 Bowl aspirations might be long gone. Is Eric willing to 0:15:48.703 --> 0:15:57.903 end their postseason dreams today? Find out next Mike Cam 0:15:57.943 --> 0:16:00.183 and Eric at Home with you back here on NFL 0:16:00.343 --> 0:16:04.063 Power Rankings, Eric's teams seventeen through twenty four of the 0:16:04.183 --> 0:16:06.823 Colts a big drive to get a win, sitting in 0:16:06.823 --> 0:16:10.303 the seventeenth position at eighteen. Thanksgiving not kind to the 0:16:10.343 --> 0:16:14.183 Miami Dolphins at nineteen, zero touchdowns, six interceptions in the 0:16:14.263 --> 0:16:17.983 last three games for Kirk Cousins. That team is a reeling. 0:16:18.063 --> 0:16:20.303 So are the San Francisco forty nine ers at twenty 0:16:20.343 --> 0:16:22.703 at twenty one, it's the Cowboys first home win in 0:16:22.703 --> 0:16:26.103 this season. Get it done against a divisional opponent in 0:16:26.143 --> 0:16:28.863 the Giants on Thanksgiving. At twenty two, the Bengals tough 0:16:28.903 --> 0:16:32.223 loss to Pittsburgh twenty three, Who is the Bears next 0:16:32.303 --> 0:16:34.703 football coach? That might be the biggest question right now. 0:16:34.903 --> 0:16:39.863 And at twenty four, Saints couldn't close the Los Angeles Rams. 0:16:40.543 --> 0:16:43.823 Time for power moves up three spots. It is the 0:16:43.823 --> 0:16:46.903 Indianapolis Colts. I want to get your thoughts on this team, 0:16:47.223 --> 0:16:50.143 Eric should I, I don't know, give him some love 0:16:50.343 --> 0:16:51.943 right now, like a team that's playing with a little 0:16:51.943 --> 0:16:54.343 bit of confidence. Anthony Richardson, it feels like there's some 0:16:54.383 --> 0:16:55.543 swag late in these games. 0:16:56.543 --> 0:16:58.863 Absolutely, I mean I will say, did they get a 0:16:58.903 --> 0:17:00.623 little bit of a bump from the teams ahead of 0:17:00.623 --> 0:17:03.463 them last week? All losing? And yes, absolutely, that's one 0:17:03.503 --> 0:17:06.383 way to power up. But when you've seen Anthony Richardson 0:17:06.463 --> 0:17:08.503 kind of take a step forward and play the way 0:17:08.503 --> 0:17:10.503 he has, especially laight in games, you know, with the 0:17:10.543 --> 0:17:13.143 game on the line, when he threw that interception with 0:17:13.143 --> 0:17:16.303 about five minutes to go down a touchdown, I thought, boy, 0:17:16.343 --> 0:17:18.583 this isn't looking good. They're going to lose at foxbro. 0:17:19.063 --> 0:17:21.423 He willed them back. They stopped him on defense a 0:17:21.503 --> 0:17:24.183 couple times. That was impressive, but really it was Richardson. 0:17:24.223 --> 0:17:27.423 His legs were a big part of the story on Sunday. Look, 0:17:27.543 --> 0:17:30.583 he's flawed, he's still a fifty percent passer, but this 0:17:30.703 --> 0:17:32.423 is a tough guy to defend. You know when he 0:17:32.623 --> 0:17:36.103 makes the throws, he's a tough guy to tackle, tough 0:17:36.103 --> 0:17:38.703 guy to bring down the backfield, and you know he 0:17:38.743 --> 0:17:41.183 can power through some of those those attempts too, and 0:17:41.223 --> 0:17:43.983 get off unusual looking passes like that little lob to 0:17:44.023 --> 0:17:46.543 Taylor for the touchdown and back of the end zone 0:17:46.543 --> 0:17:48.743 there to Alec Pearce. He's done a lot of interesting 0:17:48.783 --> 0:17:51.263 things this year. Even if the development is still needed, 0:17:51.783 --> 0:17:53.583 I'm taking my chances on him. I think he's got 0:17:53.623 --> 0:17:56.503 an opportunity to kind of wiel the Colts into the 0:17:56.543 --> 0:17:57.743 back end of the playoffs. 0:17:58.023 --> 0:17:59.783 I don't want to get too far ahead of ourselves, 0:17:59.823 --> 0:18:01.623 but the Week fifteen match up against Denver, all of 0:18:01.663 --> 0:18:03.943 a sudden, it has got my attention because of the 0:18:03.943 --> 0:18:05.743 play of the Cold who once again move up three 0:18:05.823 --> 0:18:09.583 spots in your power rankings at nineteen. It's the Falcons. 0:18:09.783 --> 0:18:11.463 Should we be talking about Michael Pennix. 0:18:12.063 --> 0:18:13.663 I think you almost have to at this point. It 0:18:13.663 --> 0:18:16.183 would have been crazy. Obviously, think back to the draft 0:18:16.223 --> 0:18:18.423 and we said, what are they doing drafting Pennix? He's 0:18:18.423 --> 0:18:20.663 not going to play this year? Well, hold that thought 0:18:20.703 --> 0:18:23.103 just a minute. Obviously, we haven't seen a whole lot 0:18:23.143 --> 0:18:26.063 of Pennix came in laid against Denver, had some throws. 0:18:26.303 --> 0:18:28.103 We saw a ton of them in the preseason. There's 0:18:28.143 --> 0:18:31.303 obviously hype about him. His former Zc's in the NFL, 0:18:31.383 --> 0:18:33.423 so you could see how this would translate. He's got 0:18:33.423 --> 0:18:35.903