1 00:00:04,559 --> 00:00:06,600 Speaker 1: All right, guys, before we get started today, a big 2 00:00:06,640 --> 00:00:09,879 Speaker 1: thank you to our partner, Microsoft Surface, celebrating ten years 3 00:00:09,880 --> 00:00:13,119 Speaker 1: of partnership with the NFL. As the official laptop, tablet 4 00:00:13,119 --> 00:00:17,280 Speaker 1: and sideline technology provider for the LA Chargers. Microsoft Surface 5 00:00:17,320 --> 00:00:20,040 Speaker 1: provides players and coaches with the tools to succeed both 6 00:00:20,079 --> 00:00:22,919 Speaker 1: on and off the field every day. Learn more about 7 00:00:23,000 --> 00:00:27,159 Speaker 1: Surface at surface dot com and welcome in to the 8 00:00:27,280 --> 00:00:32,720 Speaker 1: Final Drive. A playoff clinching addition, as the Chargers beat 9 00:00:32,800 --> 00:00:35,800 Speaker 1: the Colton India on Monday Night Football twenty to three, 10 00:00:36,120 --> 00:00:38,320 Speaker 1: they punched their ticket to the tournament for the first 11 00:00:38,320 --> 00:00:41,800 Speaker 1: time since twenty eighteen. As always, joined by a team 12 00:00:41,840 --> 00:00:46,320 Speaker 1: reporter Haley Elwood and senior writer Eric Smith, And guys, 13 00:00:46,440 --> 00:00:49,280 Speaker 1: you know, normally we talk about Justin Herbert in the 14 00:00:49,360 --> 00:00:51,960 Speaker 1: arm of Justin Herbert leading this team to victory, but 15 00:00:52,200 --> 00:00:54,880 Speaker 1: this was on the shoulders of the defense. I think 16 00:00:54,880 --> 00:00:58,200 Speaker 1: one hundred and seventy seven total yards allowed, oh for 17 00:00:58,360 --> 00:01:04,040 Speaker 1: ten on third down. The Colts were seven sacks, three interceptions. Haley, 18 00:01:04,280 --> 00:01:08,440 Speaker 1: I think the defense right now, if you're talking about 19 00:01:09,360 --> 00:01:12,520 Speaker 1: peaking at the right time, this could be a playoff caliber, 20 00:01:12,600 --> 00:01:16,120 Speaker 1: championship caliber defense if they keep it up. Yeah, I 21 00:01:16,120 --> 00:01:18,560 Speaker 1: mean absolutely, and I think you have to start there. 22 00:01:18,600 --> 00:01:20,800 Speaker 1: And it sort of is now a trend, right that 23 00:01:20,840 --> 00:01:24,040 Speaker 1: we've seen over these last few weeks. And I think 24 00:01:24,840 --> 00:01:27,880 Speaker 1: I would be remiss to mention if maybe Chargers fans 25 00:01:27,880 --> 00:01:30,959 Speaker 1: didn't feel nervous about this game coming into it knowing 26 00:01:31,040 --> 00:01:34,840 Speaker 1: what happened on December twenty sixth a year ago against 27 00:01:34,840 --> 00:01:38,399 Speaker 1: a very wounded Houston Texans team, and it was ten 28 00:01:38,560 --> 00:01:41,280 Speaker 1: three at halftime, it was a little dicey. They're kind 29 00:01:41,319 --> 00:01:43,640 Speaker 1: of like, okay, you know, let's get this going, and 30 00:01:43,640 --> 00:01:46,039 Speaker 1: then they certainly kicked it into gear. What you have 31 00:01:46,120 --> 00:01:50,280 Speaker 1: seen transpire over these last three weeks against two AFC 32 00:01:50,520 --> 00:01:53,440 Speaker 1: contenders and then now against the Colts, you know, six 33 00:01:53,480 --> 00:01:58,120 Speaker 1: of thirty two on third down holding opponents you mentioned 34 00:01:58,160 --> 00:02:01,840 Speaker 1: over ten just against Indianapolis. They're doing it. They did 35 00:02:01,840 --> 00:02:04,360 Speaker 1: it again, and pretty much without Derwin James last night 36 00:02:04,440 --> 00:02:06,720 Speaker 1: after he was ejected from this game, despite having that 37 00:02:06,760 --> 00:02:10,240 Speaker 1: incredible interception that he had. But they are finding ways 38 00:02:10,880 --> 00:02:13,760 Speaker 1: and I think, you know, Brandon Staley has talked a 39 00:02:13,800 --> 00:02:16,959 Speaker 1: lot about those guys having to play different roles, learn 40 00:02:17,080 --> 00:02:19,720 Speaker 1: different things throughout the season because they faced so much 41 00:02:19,720 --> 00:02:23,640 Speaker 1: attrition and maybe that's been a benefit for them because 42 00:02:23,680 --> 00:02:25,960 Speaker 1: now they're sort of had to they've had to settle in. 43 00:02:26,360 --> 00:02:28,840 Speaker 1: You get guys back, you sort of find ways to 44 00:02:29,520 --> 00:02:31,560 Speaker 1: figure things out, like a lowie Gilman stepping in for 45 00:02:31,639 --> 00:02:34,120 Speaker 1: Derwin after he leaves yesterday. Yeah, he's done it the 46 00:02:34,160 --> 00:02:36,880 Speaker 1: last couple of weeks. Simple, you know, get in there. 47 00:02:37,360 --> 00:02:40,239 Speaker 1: And so I think what you've seen is this defensive dominance. 48 00:02:40,320 --> 00:02:42,560 Speaker 1: And I'm glad though that you did see it against 49 00:02:42,560 --> 00:02:45,520 Speaker 1: a team like Indianapolis, which is certainly broken. I mean, 50 00:02:45,560 --> 00:02:48,640 Speaker 1: they are an absolute mess and they've got issues, but 51 00:02:48,720 --> 00:02:51,160 Speaker 1: they didn't play down to that level. In fact, they 52 00:02:51,240 --> 00:02:53,960 Speaker 1: just absolutely crushed them. And it was phenomenal to see. 53 00:02:54,080 --> 00:02:57,680 Speaker 1: And this team is now in the postseason, and at 54 00:02:57,800 --> 00:03:00,840 Speaker 1: many points during this season that felt like sort of 55 00:03:00,880 --> 00:03:05,160 Speaker 1: a far fetched thought with stall the injuries that they've faced, 56 00:03:05,200 --> 00:03:08,320 Speaker 1: including your quarterback in Week two when he goes down 57 00:03:08,320 --> 00:03:11,000 Speaker 1: and you don't know what that holds. So kudos to 58 00:03:11,080 --> 00:03:14,480 Speaker 1: this team, Kudos to the Bolts, the coaching staff, the 59 00:03:14,480 --> 00:03:17,440 Speaker 1: front office, everyone forgetting this, you know, writing this ship 60 00:03:17,480 --> 00:03:20,959 Speaker 1: and getting it here. And you clinched in week freaking sixteen. 61 00:03:21,120 --> 00:03:23,760 Speaker 1: Who knew you can get it? With nine times they 62 00:03:23,800 --> 00:03:28,440 Speaker 1: did it. They did it with two games to spare, 63 00:03:28,560 --> 00:03:30,200 Speaker 1: and now, you know, over the next two weeks we 64 00:03:30,200 --> 00:03:32,440 Speaker 1: could talk about potential seating and where that's gonna go. 65 00:03:32,560 --> 00:03:37,240 Speaker 1: But Eric staying with the defense. A switch definitely flipped 66 00:03:37,800 --> 00:03:40,680 Speaker 1: at some point over these last three weeks. And it's 67 00:03:40,720 --> 00:03:43,760 Speaker 1: kind of funny that it happened without Darwin right against 68 00:03:43,760 --> 00:03:47,280 Speaker 1: Miami and Tennessee and really for largely most of this game. 69 00:03:47,600 --> 00:03:50,760 Speaker 1: I asked you, Tranqui after the game, like what has switched? 70 00:03:50,800 --> 00:03:54,720 Speaker 1: He said, player accountability. It was like very simple player accountability. 71 00:03:54,920 --> 00:03:57,480 Speaker 1: And we've talked about some of these player only led 72 00:03:57,480 --> 00:04:00,680 Speaker 1: meetings with Kyle Van doy and you know, Mac taking 73 00:04:00,680 --> 00:04:04,720 Speaker 1: the guys off the dinner. It seems like whatever's happened 74 00:04:04,760 --> 00:04:08,880 Speaker 1: over this last month for this defense, it's it's infectious 75 00:04:08,960 --> 00:04:13,360 Speaker 1: right now and they are certainly playing at an elite level. Yeah, 76 00:04:13,760 --> 00:04:17,040 Speaker 1: I think the defense that maybe we expected the Chargers 77 00:04:17,040 --> 00:04:19,240 Speaker 1: to play all year, or at least maybe in the preseason. 78 00:04:19,360 --> 00:04:21,520 Speaker 1: Right when you looked at it on paper and you 79 00:04:21,600 --> 00:04:23,440 Speaker 1: look at the names that they brought in the name 80 00:04:23,480 --> 00:04:26,360 Speaker 1: they still had on the roster, this is what this 81 00:04:26,480 --> 00:04:28,280 Speaker 1: is what I sort of expect. I mean, maybe not 82 00:04:28,360 --> 00:04:31,360 Speaker 1: this dominant, Like I don't think you expect to hold 83 00:04:31,400 --> 00:04:34,159 Speaker 1: a team to zero third down conversions every every game 84 00:04:34,240 --> 00:04:36,520 Speaker 1: or it feels like every game of late um, the 85 00:04:36,600 --> 00:04:39,039 Speaker 1: last four games have just been fantastic on third down. 86 00:04:39,560 --> 00:04:43,720 Speaker 1: But just playing this like physical attacking style, shutting opposing 87 00:04:43,760 --> 00:04:46,400 Speaker 1: offensive down. I think this is what I thought a 88 00:04:46,640 --> 00:04:50,320 Speaker 1: version of this defense would be coming into the year. 89 00:04:50,800 --> 00:04:53,000 Speaker 1: And I don't I don't, you know, I don't know 90 00:04:53,040 --> 00:04:56,920 Speaker 1: what at what point that switch flipped, But when it did, 91 00:04:57,880 --> 00:05:00,160 Speaker 1: the light was on, you know, in the and the 92 00:05:00,240 --> 00:05:02,880 Speaker 1: light was bright, and and it's still it's still like, 93 00:05:03,520 --> 00:05:06,919 Speaker 1: you know, burning bright right now. I think maybe it 94 00:05:07,000 --> 00:05:10,520 Speaker 1: just took that that one game to get that confidence. 95 00:05:11,480 --> 00:05:14,080 Speaker 1: I think, like a complete game, right because we had 96 00:05:14,120 --> 00:05:18,080 Speaker 1: seen flashes, you know, like like the second half against Denver, 97 00:05:18,240 --> 00:05:20,159 Speaker 1: and over time they were really good. They were good, 98 00:05:20,200 --> 00:05:22,960 Speaker 1: kind of in spurts here and there, but to really 99 00:05:23,000 --> 00:05:27,719 Speaker 1: like shut down Miami, I think without Derwin, that high 100 00:05:27,720 --> 00:05:31,760 Speaker 1: flying offense, I think that really gave the team confidence. 101 00:05:32,040 --> 00:05:35,320 Speaker 1: And then to do it again against Tennessee, it's like, Okay, 102 00:05:35,400 --> 00:05:38,560 Speaker 1: now we have something rolling, and now I think they're 103 00:05:38,560 --> 00:05:40,520 Speaker 1: just a belief that they're going to go out there 104 00:05:40,560 --> 00:05:44,200 Speaker 1: and do it, and it taken what do we have 105 00:05:44,720 --> 00:05:48,960 Speaker 1: fifteen games to get there. But it's better to have 106 00:05:50,040 --> 00:05:52,880 Speaker 1: it going right now than to have the flip side right, 107 00:05:52,920 --> 00:05:55,320 Speaker 1: which is to play well early and then kind of 108 00:05:55,440 --> 00:05:58,400 Speaker 1: skid late. I think, like Hayley said, the defense is 109 00:05:58,440 --> 00:06:01,280 Speaker 1: peaking at the right time, and like you U said too, 110 00:06:01,279 --> 00:06:04,240 Speaker 1: I mean, this looks like a championship caliber defense right now, 111 00:06:04,560 --> 00:06:07,000 Speaker 1: and that's what you wanted, is you get into January 112 00:06:07,160 --> 00:06:10,360 Speaker 1: and hopefully beyond, and you can't help but think, Haley, 113 00:06:10,120 --> 00:06:12,880 Speaker 1: that Joey Bosa could be around the corner at some point. 114 00:06:12,960 --> 00:06:14,279 Speaker 1: I don't know if it's going to be in the 115 00:06:14,320 --> 00:06:16,880 Speaker 1: next couple of weeks or in the playoffs, but you 116 00:06:16,960 --> 00:06:20,520 Speaker 1: hope that you can add that piece to this defense. 117 00:06:20,839 --> 00:06:23,719 Speaker 1: And I think to keep things in perspective, like you said, Hally, 118 00:06:23,920 --> 00:06:27,560 Speaker 1: this Colts team, they have nothing to play for. Nick 119 00:06:27,600 --> 00:06:30,880 Speaker 1: Foles was like, in case of emergency, bring him in. 120 00:06:31,200 --> 00:06:33,719 Speaker 1: He wasn't ready to play. He was sacked seven times, 121 00:06:33,720 --> 00:06:37,479 Speaker 1: he's picked off three times. But I do think there's 122 00:06:37,480 --> 00:06:42,240 Speaker 1: something about confidence. And I go back, and this is 123 00:06:42,279 --> 00:06:45,320 Speaker 1: funny because even they lost that Raiders game, right, But 124 00:06:45,480 --> 00:06:49,440 Speaker 1: I really do think for the collective team. The play 125 00:06:49,520 --> 00:06:52,240 Speaker 1: that really I think woke them up and had them 126 00:06:52,279 --> 00:06:56,080 Speaker 1: believing was at two point conversion in Arizona. Like that 127 00:06:56,120 --> 00:07:00,200 Speaker 1: locker room was buzzing after that games as much as 128 00:07:00,240 --> 00:07:03,599 Speaker 1: I had ever seen during the season. So I almost 129 00:07:03,640 --> 00:07:05,680 Speaker 1: think that that was the that was the moment where 130 00:07:05,720 --> 00:07:07,720 Speaker 1: they said, Hey, we actually have a shot to do this. 131 00:07:08,680 --> 00:07:10,680 Speaker 1: They dropped that one in Vegas, but then kind of 132 00:07:10,760 --> 00:07:12,960 Speaker 1: kind of rallied after that, and the defense actually played 133 00:07:12,960 --> 00:07:16,360 Speaker 1: well towards the end of that game in Arizona, So 134 00:07:16,480 --> 00:07:19,320 Speaker 1: it was kind of a collective performance that I feel 135 00:07:19,320 --> 00:07:22,280 Speaker 1: like there's just moments, guys throughout the year that I 136 00:07:22,320 --> 00:07:25,440 Speaker 1: feel like, can kind I set you up for the 137 00:07:25,440 --> 00:07:27,360 Speaker 1: rest of the season. And I almost feel like that 138 00:07:27,800 --> 00:07:30,320 Speaker 1: Arizona game we kind of forget about because of that 139 00:07:30,440 --> 00:07:33,760 Speaker 1: loss in Las Vegas, but I almost feel like that 140 00:07:33,840 --> 00:07:36,600 Speaker 1: was kind of a moment they got this team trending 141 00:07:36,600 --> 00:07:39,200 Speaker 1: in the right direction. Obviously, the last three three game 142 00:07:39,280 --> 00:07:41,880 Speaker 1: speak for themselves well, and that's all you needed, right 143 00:07:41,960 --> 00:07:45,679 Speaker 1: because you needed the two point conversion to win, And 144 00:07:45,800 --> 00:07:49,080 Speaker 1: there was that belief that Brandon Staley said, we're doing it. 145 00:07:49,280 --> 00:07:51,040 Speaker 1: We're just we're going out and we're gonna win, and 146 00:07:51,040 --> 00:07:54,080 Speaker 1: we're gonna go for two and see what happens. But 147 00:07:54,120 --> 00:07:55,680 Speaker 1: the goal is to come out of that game with 148 00:07:55,760 --> 00:07:58,680 Speaker 1: a win. And so I think as we have heard 149 00:07:58,760 --> 00:08:01,400 Speaker 1: him talk about whether it's that, whether it's fourth downs, 150 00:08:01,400 --> 00:08:04,520 Speaker 1: whether it's some other things throughout the year, the last 151 00:08:04,560 --> 00:08:07,720 Speaker 1: even last season, going back when he started coaching this team, 152 00:08:08,160 --> 00:08:11,320 Speaker 1: there is this belief that I think he tries to 153 00:08:11,400 --> 00:08:14,200 Speaker 1: instill in these players, to put them in situations to 154 00:08:14,280 --> 00:08:16,240 Speaker 1: make them feel confident that they can get it done. 155 00:08:16,440 --> 00:08:19,680 Speaker 1: And to that point, they did in Arizona, and they 156 00:08:19,760 --> 00:08:22,240 Speaker 1: got the confidence that they needed to go and freaking 157 00:08:22,320 --> 00:08:24,720 Speaker 1: win a game and win in at the buzzer Essentially, 158 00:08:25,480 --> 00:08:27,800 Speaker 1: I think when you look at the dip happens in 159 00:08:27,920 --> 00:08:30,760 Speaker 1: Vegas and then we were all wondering, how were they 160 00:08:30,760 --> 00:08:33,840 Speaker 1: going to respond against Miami, this crazy offense and Derrick 161 00:08:33,920 --> 00:08:35,959 Speaker 1: Henry and the Titans the next week, two teams in 162 00:08:36,040 --> 00:08:39,400 Speaker 1: AFC contention, and they did, I will say, with a 163 00:08:39,520 --> 00:08:43,360 Speaker 1: caveat the Dolphins, the Titans, the Jets, and the Pats 164 00:08:43,360 --> 00:08:46,400 Speaker 1: are one in fifteen since the Chargers went on you know, 165 00:08:46,840 --> 00:08:49,120 Speaker 1: a three or four wind streak as of four weeks ago, 166 00:08:49,240 --> 00:08:52,839 Speaker 1: prior to yesterday's game, So there has been some faltering there, 167 00:08:52,840 --> 00:08:56,360 Speaker 1: but what you've seen from the Charger side defensively specifically, 168 00:08:57,000 --> 00:09:00,520 Speaker 1: is just a push, an extreme push to not lay 169 00:09:00,640 --> 00:09:03,280 Speaker 1: back and to not really let these teams and these 170 00:09:03,360 --> 00:09:07,600 Speaker 1: big players Tyreek Hill, Derek Henry, Jalen waddle waddle all 171 00:09:07,600 --> 00:09:10,240 Speaker 1: over you if you will, because we have seen moments 172 00:09:10,240 --> 00:09:13,439 Speaker 1: throughout the season, Hello Travis Kelsey where that has happened. 173 00:09:13,520 --> 00:09:16,640 Speaker 1: And so in order for this team to sort of 174 00:09:16,640 --> 00:09:20,000 Speaker 1: build this confidence and defensively build this confidence, it has 175 00:09:20,040 --> 00:09:22,400 Speaker 1: certainly happened. And I go back, Yeah, I think you're right. 176 00:09:22,440 --> 00:09:25,360 Speaker 1: That Arizona game gave them a lot of confidence on 177 00:09:25,400 --> 00:09:27,400 Speaker 1: all sides that they can go out and get it done. 178 00:09:27,880 --> 00:09:29,880 Speaker 1: And now you've seen sort of maybe the defense kind 179 00:09:29,920 --> 00:09:32,200 Speaker 1: of pick up the offense at times, especially even in 180 00:09:32,280 --> 00:09:34,200 Speaker 1: last night's game. I think there's some things and I'm 181 00:09:34,240 --> 00:09:35,920 Speaker 1: sure we'll talk about it, that have been left to 182 00:09:35,960 --> 00:09:38,920 Speaker 1: be desired on offense right now with the Chargers, but 183 00:09:39,480 --> 00:09:42,280 Speaker 1: they're doing it. There is a belief and I think 184 00:09:42,320 --> 00:09:45,120 Speaker 1: now instead of it wavering, it is extremely extremely strong. 185 00:09:45,960 --> 00:09:49,200 Speaker 1: All great points, and I think it's worth noting too 186 00:09:49,240 --> 00:09:52,880 Speaker 1: that every team that gets to the tournament and eventually 187 00:09:52,880 --> 00:09:55,160 Speaker 1: wins the super Bowl. They have a little bit of 188 00:09:55,240 --> 00:09:57,560 Speaker 1: luck and a little bit of good fortune along the way. 189 00:09:57,600 --> 00:09:59,960 Speaker 1: And what Haley referenced with all these teams that were 190 00:10:00,360 --> 00:10:03,640 Speaker 1: needing to lose, for the Chargers losing over the last 191 00:10:03,640 --> 00:10:05,760 Speaker 1: couple of weeks, that's a little bit of good fortune. 192 00:10:05,840 --> 00:10:08,440 Speaker 1: That's that's the reason why you're clinching in week fifteen 193 00:10:08,760 --> 00:10:13,280 Speaker 1: or week sixteen rather than not week eighteen. Eric, first, 194 00:10:13,720 --> 00:10:15,760 Speaker 1: the Derwin James hit, I just want to address it. 195 00:10:16,240 --> 00:10:19,320 Speaker 1: Derwin James is the furthest thing from a dirty player. 196 00:10:20,200 --> 00:10:25,679 Speaker 1: That was a vicious hit, no doubt, but there was 197 00:10:25,720 --> 00:10:28,440 Speaker 1: no intent there. I think we all know Derwin James 198 00:10:28,440 --> 00:10:30,280 Speaker 1: type person he is and the type of player is, 199 00:10:31,360 --> 00:10:34,600 Speaker 1: So I just I hope he's okay, he's in cutching protocol, 200 00:10:34,760 --> 00:10:37,640 Speaker 1: and you hope you see him next week against the Rams. 201 00:10:38,440 --> 00:10:42,600 Speaker 1: But moving to the offense, it's no coincidence that the 202 00:10:42,679 --> 00:10:47,200 Speaker 1: two touchdown drives Mike Williams had four catches for seventy 203 00:10:47,240 --> 00:10:50,520 Speaker 1: six yards on both of those touchdown drives. Mike Williams 204 00:10:50,520 --> 00:10:54,320 Speaker 1: needs to be the focal point of this offense, and 205 00:10:54,400 --> 00:10:57,480 Speaker 1: you know Keenan does this thing. Mister consistent eleven for 206 00:10:57,559 --> 00:11:00,640 Speaker 1: one oh four, charges PR told me last night, I 207 00:11:00,679 --> 00:11:03,760 Speaker 1: think four straight games of six catches and eighty plus 208 00:11:03,840 --> 00:11:08,480 Speaker 1: yards receiving. Um, so, mister consistent moved the chains. But 209 00:11:08,520 --> 00:11:10,520 Speaker 1: if they want to score points, they got to get 210 00:11:10,520 --> 00:11:12,240 Speaker 1: the ball to eighty one and they got to get 211 00:11:12,280 --> 00:11:13,679 Speaker 1: it to him a little bit more often than they 212 00:11:13,679 --> 00:11:17,560 Speaker 1: did last night. Yeah, it's it's funny you say that 213 00:11:17,600 --> 00:11:19,839 Speaker 1: because you know who agreed with you, Brandon's Daylight. He 214 00:11:19,880 --> 00:11:22,280 Speaker 1: said it into his postgame press conference last night. He's like, 215 00:11:22,760 --> 00:11:24,520 Speaker 1: you know, Keenan was great, and you know Mike had 216 00:11:24,800 --> 00:11:26,640 Speaker 1: four catches with four big catches, but we need to 217 00:11:26,640 --> 00:11:29,440 Speaker 1: get Mike a little more involved. And I think Keenan 218 00:11:29,559 --> 00:11:32,480 Speaker 1: is good for like he said, eleven for one or four, 219 00:11:32,600 --> 00:11:35,040 Speaker 1: good for moving the chains on third down, you know, 220 00:11:35,360 --> 00:11:37,280 Speaker 1: making a key catch, you know here and there. But 221 00:11:37,360 --> 00:11:41,440 Speaker 1: Mike is the big play guy. I mean, but I 222 00:11:41,559 --> 00:11:43,480 Speaker 1: learned that very quickly when I when I got here, Like, 223 00:11:43,520 --> 00:11:45,959 Speaker 1: if you want twenty twenty five yards or more, throw 224 00:11:46,000 --> 00:11:50,000 Speaker 1: it to Mike and yeah, like I looked, he had 225 00:11:50,000 --> 00:11:52,640 Speaker 1: two sixteen yard catches and eighteen yard catch at twenty 226 00:11:52,679 --> 00:11:55,520 Speaker 1: six yard catch, like he just chunk plays like like 227 00:11:55,720 --> 00:11:58,640 Speaker 1: far down the field, you know, and like that stuff 228 00:11:58,720 --> 00:12:03,000 Speaker 1: like really ignites the offense. And Brandon Daley has said 229 00:12:03,040 --> 00:12:07,080 Speaker 1: this multiple times this year. He's like these twelve fourteen, 230 00:12:07,240 --> 00:12:10,400 Speaker 1: sixteen play drives, that's not the norm in the NFL. 231 00:12:10,440 --> 00:12:13,160 Speaker 1: It's it's more like a sixth play drive, you know, 232 00:12:13,559 --> 00:12:16,120 Speaker 1: a four to six to eight play drive like quick strike. 233 00:12:16,559 --> 00:12:19,440 Speaker 1: And the reason and that you're gonna do that with 234 00:12:19,480 --> 00:12:22,240 Speaker 1: the Chargers is throw it to Mike. Um. I would 235 00:12:22,240 --> 00:12:24,080 Speaker 1: agree that he needs to be a little bit more involved, 236 00:12:24,360 --> 00:12:26,880 Speaker 1: even just maybe just throw it up to him a 237 00:12:26,880 --> 00:12:28,560 Speaker 1: little bit more, I think. I mean, there were a 238 00:12:28,559 --> 00:12:32,160 Speaker 1: few plays last night where they had like kind of 239 00:12:32,880 --> 00:12:36,959 Speaker 1: more downfield developing routes and for whatever reason, like the 240 00:12:37,000 --> 00:12:40,720 Speaker 1: shots weren't taken. Um. But we all know, you know 241 00:12:40,760 --> 00:12:42,439 Speaker 1: that if you throw it up to Mike, it's probably 242 00:12:42,480 --> 00:12:44,600 Speaker 1: better than a fifty fifty chance he's gonna come down 243 00:12:44,600 --> 00:12:46,840 Speaker 1: with it. UM. I would agree. I think that's something 244 00:12:46,880 --> 00:12:49,080 Speaker 1: to watch kind of we head to the playoffs, like 245 00:12:49,840 --> 00:12:51,800 Speaker 1: you're gonna you're gonna need to score more points than 246 00:12:51,840 --> 00:12:55,199 Speaker 1: you have been the last couple of weeks, UM, especially 247 00:12:55,240 --> 00:12:58,440 Speaker 1: against like better offenses. I think the defense is playing great, 248 00:12:58,679 --> 00:13:00,520 Speaker 1: but when you go up against high qual the offense 249 00:13:00,600 --> 00:13:02,520 Speaker 1: is you're probably gonna need to score more than twenty 250 00:13:02,520 --> 00:13:05,760 Speaker 1: points to win in a playoff game. And getting Mike involved, 251 00:13:05,800 --> 00:13:08,480 Speaker 1: I think would be a good step heading in that direction. 252 00:13:09,679 --> 00:13:11,760 Speaker 1: You know, Hailey, we were talking about this on Charges 253 00:13:11,800 --> 00:13:16,480 Speaker 1: Weekly last Thursday, Me and Money about Jalen Guden kind 254 00:13:16,520 --> 00:13:20,120 Speaker 1: of being the one guy that this team desperately misses 255 00:13:20,160 --> 00:13:23,600 Speaker 1: just stretching the field offensively, because this offense does not 256 00:13:23,679 --> 00:13:26,439 Speaker 1: look the same as it did in twenty twenty one. 257 00:13:26,520 --> 00:13:29,120 Speaker 1: Right now, they're getting the job done. Hey, they won 258 00:13:29,160 --> 00:13:33,040 Speaker 1: by seventeen and they beat an unfilteen by seventeen points. 259 00:13:33,200 --> 00:13:37,680 Speaker 1: Okay in their place on Monday night. But I think 260 00:13:37,920 --> 00:13:41,880 Speaker 1: once we hit January, Mike Williams can't have four targets 261 00:13:42,040 --> 00:13:44,520 Speaker 1: and four catches like Mike Williams needs to have ten 262 00:13:44,559 --> 00:13:46,600 Speaker 1: targets throughout the course of the game. It can't just 263 00:13:46,640 --> 00:13:50,079 Speaker 1: be on two drives. Well. I think the other thing 264 00:13:50,120 --> 00:13:51,800 Speaker 1: too is I'd like to see them run the ball 265 00:13:51,800 --> 00:13:53,920 Speaker 1: a little more effectively as well. And you did see 266 00:13:53,960 --> 00:13:56,640 Speaker 1: that on that final touchdown drive, which was twelve plays, 267 00:13:56,679 --> 00:13:59,359 Speaker 1: but nine of those plays were runs, which was phenomenal 268 00:13:59,440 --> 00:14:02,080 Speaker 1: to see. I think at that point the Colts defense 269 00:14:02,160 --> 00:14:04,199 Speaker 1: was so worn down. I mean, they played so much 270 00:14:04,280 --> 00:14:06,920 Speaker 1: the game, and I saw a tweet saying that they've 271 00:14:06,960 --> 00:14:09,440 Speaker 1: i think, set like a record for sacks this season. 272 00:14:09,520 --> 00:14:11,480 Speaker 1: But if some Colts fans said, well, it's easy to 273 00:14:11,480 --> 00:14:13,000 Speaker 1: do that when you're on the field for forty five 274 00:14:13,000 --> 00:14:14,920 Speaker 1: out of the sixteen minutes of a game, because that 275 00:14:15,000 --> 00:14:18,240 Speaker 1: defense has just been worn down, worn down, worn down. 276 00:14:18,880 --> 00:14:20,920 Speaker 1: But as much as I want to see Mike Williams 277 00:14:20,920 --> 00:14:22,720 Speaker 1: get involved, I would also like to see them take 278 00:14:22,800 --> 00:14:24,680 Speaker 1: some pressure off justin Herbert and run the ball a 279 00:14:24,680 --> 00:14:28,320 Speaker 1: bit more effectively. Look, if you're the fifth seed, I 280 00:14:28,320 --> 00:14:30,200 Speaker 1: don't know where you go in Jacksonville at this point, 281 00:14:30,560 --> 00:14:35,960 Speaker 1: tennessee whatever happens there. But I think when you start 282 00:14:36,120 --> 00:14:41,640 Speaker 1: getting into colder environments, potentially in the AFC playoff race, 283 00:14:42,160 --> 00:14:44,640 Speaker 1: you know that takes some pressure off. To the point 284 00:14:44,640 --> 00:14:47,240 Speaker 1: about Jalen Guyton, I think he you know, it's so 285 00:14:47,280 --> 00:14:50,320 Speaker 1: funny we talk about oh missing Joey and Rashawn and 286 00:14:50,440 --> 00:14:53,880 Speaker 1: j C. Jackson, Jalen Guyton is never brought up, and 287 00:14:53,920 --> 00:14:57,000 Speaker 1: it's crazy because the impact that he's made. You think 288 00:14:57,000 --> 00:15:01,400 Speaker 1: about the Giants game in twenty twenty one. He's freaking 289 00:15:01,480 --> 00:15:03,720 Speaker 1: down there and he's so fast, and so you are 290 00:15:03,760 --> 00:15:06,280 Speaker 1: missing that element because you're becoming very much like a 291 00:15:06,280 --> 00:15:10,080 Speaker 1: possession receiving corps at this point, with the exemption of Mike, 292 00:15:10,120 --> 00:15:11,720 Speaker 1: who can go up and get it, but you're not 293 00:15:11,760 --> 00:15:14,280 Speaker 1: really doing that as much right now. I think at 294 00:15:14,280 --> 00:15:16,760 Speaker 1: this point, you've got two games left in the regular 295 00:15:16,800 --> 00:15:18,920 Speaker 1: season and there's some homework to be done, which is 296 00:15:19,000 --> 00:15:21,280 Speaker 1: kind of good in a sense because you know you've 297 00:15:21,320 --> 00:15:24,360 Speaker 1: made it. Now you can clean stuff some stuff up 298 00:15:24,600 --> 00:15:26,400 Speaker 1: so that you're not having to sort of take care 299 00:15:26,440 --> 00:15:29,960 Speaker 1: of this once January, once that postseason and that wildcard 300 00:15:30,080 --> 00:15:31,920 Speaker 1: super wild Card weekend as they like to call it, 301 00:15:32,000 --> 00:15:34,920 Speaker 1: jazz hands rolls around that you actually can kind of 302 00:15:34,920 --> 00:15:38,200 Speaker 1: take these next two weeks against beatable teams, against teams 303 00:15:38,200 --> 00:15:40,920 Speaker 1: that are completely out of it. God bless Denver and 304 00:15:40,960 --> 00:15:44,160 Speaker 1: what they're going through right now, and maybe sure something's 305 00:15:44,280 --> 00:15:47,160 Speaker 1: up and Denver, albeit what happened against the Rams was 306 00:15:47,200 --> 00:15:49,680 Speaker 1: sort of crazy and we hadn't seen that defensively from them, 307 00:15:49,680 --> 00:15:51,360 Speaker 1: but a really good defense. So I think that'll be 308 00:15:51,400 --> 00:15:53,160 Speaker 1: a good test too, if they're still wanting to play 309 00:15:53,160 --> 00:15:58,360 Speaker 1: for something in week eighteen. Yeah, all great points. The 310 00:15:58,920 --> 00:16:02,560 Speaker 1: Chargers rushing it ten thirty two for one oh one, 311 00:16:02,680 --> 00:16:06,040 Speaker 1: three point two yards of pop m Kelly and Ekeler 312 00:16:06,160 --> 00:16:09,000 Speaker 1: three point seven yards and carry. Uh, that's got to 313 00:16:09,000 --> 00:16:12,359 Speaker 1: go up in a yard at least once you hit January. 314 00:16:12,680 --> 00:16:15,080 Speaker 1: And you know, Joshua paulbar two Eric, I look at him, 315 00:16:15,400 --> 00:16:20,200 Speaker 1: just three targets two for sixteen. You know, josh Joshua displayed. 316 00:16:20,520 --> 00:16:22,800 Speaker 1: You know, you could use that Atlanta game as the 317 00:16:22,800 --> 00:16:27,000 Speaker 1: best example that he's capable of doing a lot more. 318 00:16:27,240 --> 00:16:31,120 Speaker 1: And h I think this this passing attack, we need 319 00:16:31,160 --> 00:16:33,560 Speaker 1: to see some more targets to Mike, as we mentioned, 320 00:16:33,560 --> 00:16:36,560 Speaker 1: but Joshua too, you know, I think Joshua and you 321 00:16:36,560 --> 00:16:41,600 Speaker 1: know Gerald, you know, those two guys need to get involved. Yeah, 322 00:16:41,640 --> 00:16:45,080 Speaker 1: and I think as we kind of have navigated through 323 00:16:45,080 --> 00:16:47,320 Speaker 1: the season, there's been a lot of injuries at receiver, right, 324 00:16:47,400 --> 00:16:49,800 Speaker 1: Keenan and Mike and even even even Joshua has been 325 00:16:49,880 --> 00:16:51,960 Speaker 1: hurt a little bit. Um. You know, Jerald has been 326 00:16:51,960 --> 00:16:54,560 Speaker 1: banged up a couple of times here and there. But um, 327 00:16:55,120 --> 00:16:58,920 Speaker 1: the the common denominator and all that is that Austin 328 00:16:58,960 --> 00:17:01,640 Speaker 1: Eckler had gotten so many targets and so many catches. 329 00:17:01,680 --> 00:17:04,760 Speaker 1: I mean, he's either close to or at one hundred catches, 330 00:17:05,200 --> 00:17:08,159 Speaker 1: you know, for for running back. And I think it's 331 00:17:08,200 --> 00:17:11,800 Speaker 1: just been such like a safety blanket for Herbert this year. Okay, 332 00:17:12,080 --> 00:17:14,400 Speaker 1: nothing's open, just just check it down to Often we'll 333 00:17:14,400 --> 00:17:17,560 Speaker 1: get six or seven yards. And that's been great and 334 00:17:17,640 --> 00:17:21,359 Speaker 1: it's so valuable to have that. But now that everyone 335 00:17:21,480 --> 00:17:24,640 Speaker 1: is back and everyone is healthy, let's maybe push it downfield. 336 00:17:24,640 --> 00:17:29,159 Speaker 1: It's a little bit more. Yeah, Haley. A guy I 337 00:17:29,200 --> 00:17:32,320 Speaker 1: want to talk about on defense is someone who's been 338 00:17:32,320 --> 00:17:36,040 Speaker 1: around for a while and he's just been kind of 339 00:17:36,040 --> 00:17:38,359 Speaker 1: a steady presence on the defense. We don't talk about 340 00:17:38,440 --> 00:17:40,679 Speaker 1: him that much. And he gave us a reason on 341 00:17:40,760 --> 00:17:43,359 Speaker 1: that that fourth down stop. Um. He told me he 342 00:17:43,400 --> 00:17:47,520 Speaker 1: was entering his or his he was channeling his inner 343 00:17:47,600 --> 00:17:52,399 Speaker 1: Troy Palamalu Alohi Gilman. Um. Although he's been so solid 344 00:17:52,440 --> 00:17:55,040 Speaker 1: this year, and and I just look at the defense 345 00:17:55,080 --> 00:17:56,560 Speaker 1: and you're looking at guys who have who have really 346 00:17:56,600 --> 00:17:59,359 Speaker 1: stepped up. Michael Davis has had a really good year. Um. 347 00:17:59,400 --> 00:18:02,760 Speaker 1: I think a low he Gilman, second year in this system, 348 00:18:03,359 --> 00:18:07,000 Speaker 1: has really found his niche, you know, Sebastian Joseph Day. 349 00:18:07,000 --> 00:18:10,640 Speaker 1: Obviously they've they've kind of tightened up the run. But 350 00:18:11,000 --> 00:18:13,320 Speaker 1: a guy that we've kind of followed throughout his time 351 00:18:13,359 --> 00:18:15,840 Speaker 1: with the Chargers, it's been really nice to kind of 352 00:18:15,840 --> 00:18:20,480 Speaker 1: see alohe find his role and it's a really meaningful 353 00:18:20,480 --> 00:18:23,840 Speaker 1: and important role in this defense. So much of the 354 00:18:23,840 --> 00:18:27,800 Speaker 1: conversation about Alowie reminds me of the conversations we were 355 00:18:27,840 --> 00:18:31,439 Speaker 1: having about guys like Kaiser White and Uchenna Nuosu and 356 00:18:31,560 --> 00:18:34,720 Speaker 1: Justin Jones a year ago, where you had this sort 357 00:18:34,760 --> 00:18:38,880 Speaker 1: of draft class from a couple of years back that 358 00:18:39,119 --> 00:18:41,320 Speaker 1: was really really starting to make an impact and really 359 00:18:41,320 --> 00:18:44,439 Speaker 1: starting to come along. The benefit for a Lowie is 360 00:18:44,480 --> 00:18:47,040 Speaker 1: he's gotten a second year in this system, whereas those 361 00:18:47,080 --> 00:18:49,879 Speaker 1: guys were doing it brand new and then unfortunately, you know, 362 00:18:49,880 --> 00:18:53,000 Speaker 1: they departed the Chargers. But to that comfort level that 363 00:18:53,040 --> 00:18:55,560 Speaker 1: Allowie has had, and I think being able to play 364 00:18:55,560 --> 00:18:58,040 Speaker 1: in big spots too, and being able again to earn 365 00:18:58,119 --> 00:19:01,640 Speaker 1: that trust and that belief from the coaching staff that hey, 366 00:19:02,200 --> 00:19:04,359 Speaker 1: Derwin James, he's out, he's not going to be in 367 00:19:04,400 --> 00:19:07,119 Speaker 1: this game today. You you're the guy, like we're counting 368 00:19:07,160 --> 00:19:09,800 Speaker 1: on you, And I think it's been really, really positive 369 00:19:09,800 --> 00:19:11,560 Speaker 1: to see and that is what you want to see 370 00:19:11,640 --> 00:19:13,320 Speaker 1: right now, that's what you want to see. You want 371 00:19:13,320 --> 00:19:15,959 Speaker 1: to see these guys who's a sixth round pick in 372 00:19:16,000 --> 00:19:19,160 Speaker 1: twenty twenty. You want to see them come along and 373 00:19:19,240 --> 00:19:22,400 Speaker 1: get stronger as the season has progressed. I don't know, man, 374 00:19:22,520 --> 00:19:25,000 Speaker 1: I don't know if with this defense maybe they've had 375 00:19:25,040 --> 00:19:27,879 Speaker 1: to simplify things because so many guys have been in 376 00:19:27,920 --> 00:19:30,200 Speaker 1: and out. But for some reason it has really really 377 00:19:30,280 --> 00:19:32,840 Speaker 1: kind of come together as of late, as we've talked about. 378 00:19:33,320 --> 00:19:36,440 Speaker 1: But to see someone like that a second year in it, 379 00:19:36,800 --> 00:19:39,199 Speaker 1: take on a bigger role, have the belief from this 380 00:19:39,240 --> 00:19:41,560 Speaker 1: coaching staff that he can do it and make these 381 00:19:41,600 --> 00:19:43,360 Speaker 1: staffs and make these big plays, you know. I think 382 00:19:43,359 --> 00:19:46,160 Speaker 1: about that again, that PBu I think the first Miami 383 00:19:46,480 --> 00:19:48,280 Speaker 1: first player of the Miami game where he just came 384 00:19:48,320 --> 00:19:51,240 Speaker 1: out firing. It's awesome and it's really really cool. And 385 00:19:51,520 --> 00:19:53,680 Speaker 1: again I have deja vu because I think so much 386 00:19:53,720 --> 00:19:58,320 Speaker 1: about talking about some of those twenty eighteen class guys 387 00:19:58,359 --> 00:20:01,040 Speaker 1: a year ago and the auction that they had as 388 00:20:01,080 --> 00:20:03,199 Speaker 1: the season kind of went on and went on, and 389 00:20:03,240 --> 00:20:08,120 Speaker 1: now you're seeing it with a Lowe two you know, Eric, 390 00:20:08,160 --> 00:20:10,360 Speaker 1: one more guy I like for you to talk about too, 391 00:20:10,359 --> 00:20:12,160 Speaker 1: and then and anything else you guys want to touch 392 00:20:12,200 --> 00:20:13,639 Speaker 1: on the game, we can before we get to the 393 00:20:13,680 --> 00:20:15,720 Speaker 1: kind of the seating in the playoffs. But you know, 394 00:20:15,840 --> 00:20:18,359 Speaker 1: Kenneth Murray has been a guy for the first two 395 00:20:18,400 --> 00:20:21,560 Speaker 1: years in his career, ups and downs, coaching, change, injuries. 396 00:20:21,640 --> 00:20:24,760 Speaker 1: Last year, you didn't know what his role was going 397 00:20:24,800 --> 00:20:27,840 Speaker 1: to be. Necessarily this year, he comes into camp late 398 00:20:27,920 --> 00:20:31,840 Speaker 1: and not ready necessarily for the beginning of the season, 399 00:20:32,280 --> 00:20:35,520 Speaker 1: but he has really found his rhythm. And after the game, 400 00:20:35,600 --> 00:20:38,600 Speaker 1: he said when the offense was kneeling down, he got 401 00:20:38,600 --> 00:20:41,800 Speaker 1: emotional because just guy thinking of back to all the 402 00:20:41,880 --> 00:20:44,119 Speaker 1: ups and downs, you know, over the last two years, 403 00:20:44,119 --> 00:20:45,960 Speaker 1: and to kind of be in the tournament. But he 404 00:20:46,000 --> 00:20:48,200 Speaker 1: also said that this is just this is just one 405 00:20:48,240 --> 00:20:51,840 Speaker 1: goal that they've checked off. You know, they expect to 406 00:20:51,920 --> 00:20:54,760 Speaker 1: be Super Bowl champions at some point. But I just 407 00:20:54,800 --> 00:20:57,560 Speaker 1: I felt really good for Kenneth because we've seen his 408 00:20:57,640 --> 00:21:00,000 Speaker 1: journey and I think he's made the most of his opportunit, 409 00:21:01,720 --> 00:21:04,320 Speaker 1: no doubt, no doubt. And and you're right, like in camp, 410 00:21:05,240 --> 00:21:06,800 Speaker 1: you know, when I came in, like I was trying 411 00:21:06,800 --> 00:21:09,080 Speaker 1: to get a lay of the land on the roster 412 00:21:09,119 --> 00:21:13,160 Speaker 1: and everything. Kenneth. Kenneth wasn't really around, like he wasn't practicing. 413 00:21:13,200 --> 00:21:15,000 Speaker 1: He was always the guy off to the side field 414 00:21:15,000 --> 00:21:17,719 Speaker 1: and he was over there for weeks. It's not like 415 00:21:17,760 --> 00:21:20,480 Speaker 1: he just like didn't practice the first week of camp 416 00:21:20,520 --> 00:21:22,720 Speaker 1: and then like came in. He missed like almost all 417 00:21:22,760 --> 00:21:25,760 Speaker 1: of camp and had a work his way back, but 418 00:21:25,800 --> 00:21:29,080 Speaker 1: he flashed like early in the season. And I really 419 00:21:29,119 --> 00:21:33,680 Speaker 1: think there's something like beautiful there with him and Drew 420 00:21:34,119 --> 00:21:36,800 Speaker 1: at that linebacker spot. Like they've played together, They've known 421 00:21:36,800 --> 00:21:38,399 Speaker 1: each other for a couple of years now. I know 422 00:21:38,480 --> 00:21:40,440 Speaker 1: this is Drew like first year, it's like a full 423 00:21:40,440 --> 00:21:43,399 Speaker 1: time starter, But that is such a great pairing and 424 00:21:43,480 --> 00:21:47,000 Speaker 1: they're both just like so versatile, right, Like they can 425 00:21:47,040 --> 00:21:51,040 Speaker 1: both play the run, they can both they do well 426 00:21:51,080 --> 00:21:54,520 Speaker 1: against the pass. I think there was on Kenny sack 427 00:21:54,640 --> 00:21:58,359 Speaker 1: last night, both him and Drew were blitzing and Drew 428 00:21:58,480 --> 00:22:02,240 Speaker 1: got in there and falls kind of wiggled away, and 429 00:22:02,280 --> 00:22:04,879 Speaker 1: then Murray was there seen it up. So like just 430 00:22:05,040 --> 00:22:07,200 Speaker 1: like those two just play so well off of each other. 431 00:22:07,680 --> 00:22:10,920 Speaker 1: Eric play hold on just to interup. I'm sorry, what 432 00:22:11,040 --> 00:22:14,960 Speaker 1: was Fulls doing on that play? I don't know what 433 00:22:15,000 --> 00:22:17,320 Speaker 1: he was doing. What's going on there? He just just 434 00:22:17,400 --> 00:22:21,679 Speaker 1: like stopped ben his knees and said, I don't know, 435 00:22:21,880 --> 00:22:24,359 Speaker 1: just chalk it out. I don't know. I don't know 436 00:22:24,400 --> 00:22:26,520 Speaker 1: what he was doing most of the games. He said, 437 00:22:26,560 --> 00:22:29,080 Speaker 1: that's like a just like break glass. In case of 438 00:22:29,080 --> 00:22:33,119 Speaker 1: an emergency, throw him in there. Um, honestly, I would. 439 00:22:33,520 --> 00:22:36,720 Speaker 1: I was a little worried because, like I've seen Nick Foles, 440 00:22:36,760 --> 00:22:39,320 Speaker 1: like five years ago. I saw Nick Foles beat the 441 00:22:39,400 --> 00:22:41,720 Speaker 1: Vikings and like go to the Super Bowl and win 442 00:22:41,760 --> 00:22:43,760 Speaker 1: like an MVP, and I'm like, oh my god, this 443 00:22:43,800 --> 00:22:46,119 Speaker 1: guy is that Nick Foles gonna like show up for 444 00:22:46,160 --> 00:22:49,239 Speaker 1: one game he did not the Chargers defense to make 445 00:22:49,280 --> 00:22:53,159 Speaker 1: sure he did not. Um, he looked. He looked bad. Um. 446 00:22:53,760 --> 00:22:55,880 Speaker 1: But I credited the Charger defense for that. I mean 447 00:22:55,920 --> 00:22:59,119 Speaker 1: they were on him all night. Um. I don't know 448 00:22:59,119 --> 00:23:01,160 Speaker 1: if you guys saw this on Twitter. I tweeted after 449 00:23:01,200 --> 00:23:04,440 Speaker 1: the game, you know, like some couple of highlights for 450 00:23:04,480 --> 00:23:08,919 Speaker 1: the defense, And I tweeted, the Chargers had sixty seven 451 00:23:08,960 --> 00:23:12,320 Speaker 1: sacks last night. Because it's obviously a typo, I meant 452 00:23:12,320 --> 00:23:14,840 Speaker 1: to type seven. I had six on there, but anyway, 453 00:23:15,000 --> 00:23:20,040 Speaker 1: it felt like sixty seven. It felt like sixty seven. Yeah. Yeah, anyway, 454 00:23:20,320 --> 00:23:23,160 Speaker 1: Kennie's playing great. I think him and Drew just work 455 00:23:23,240 --> 00:23:26,800 Speaker 1: so well together, pretty much like everyone on defense that 456 00:23:26,960 --> 00:23:30,120 Speaker 1: just turned it up, like Morgan Fox two sacks. Khalil 457 00:23:30,400 --> 00:23:33,880 Speaker 1: is still being Khalil on the outside. Kyle van Noy, 458 00:23:33,960 --> 00:23:35,639 Speaker 1: We've talked about him three games in a row with 459 00:23:35,680 --> 00:23:38,680 Speaker 1: a sack, Chris Rump, back to back game with the sack. 460 00:23:38,960 --> 00:23:41,879 Speaker 1: Like everyone is stepping up at the right time of 461 00:23:41,920 --> 00:23:45,159 Speaker 1: the season. Yeah, it shout out to Drew Fort Wayne, 462 00:23:45,200 --> 00:23:48,520 Speaker 1: Indiana is where he's from. Homecoming for him. He said 463 00:23:48,560 --> 00:23:51,760 Speaker 1: his high school would play the championship at Lucas Oil 464 00:23:52,320 --> 00:23:54,400 Speaker 1: or not his high school, but the high school championship 465 00:23:54,480 --> 00:23:56,880 Speaker 1: is played at Lucas Oil. He never got to play there, 466 00:23:57,240 --> 00:24:00,000 Speaker 1: and he had his whole family in section six twelve 467 00:24:00,040 --> 00:24:01,720 Speaker 1: of Root and the Ball, and he led the team 468 00:24:01,720 --> 00:24:04,960 Speaker 1: and tackles and clinched the playoffs spot. At the same time, Hilly, 469 00:24:05,000 --> 00:24:08,280 Speaker 1: anything else from that game that stood out to you 470 00:24:08,359 --> 00:24:09,920 Speaker 1: or you want to talk about before we get to 471 00:24:09,920 --> 00:24:15,000 Speaker 1: the playoffs here? Not necessarily, I think, you know, I 472 00:24:15,280 --> 00:24:18,920 Speaker 1: think we kind of covered everything. I think we can 473 00:24:18,920 --> 00:24:20,760 Speaker 1: get to the playoffs. But I'm just gonna kick it off, 474 00:24:20,800 --> 00:24:25,160 Speaker 1: because right before this I interviewed Jamie Rodolf for Playmakers, 475 00:24:25,280 --> 00:24:27,200 Speaker 1: hosts of Good Morning Football, and we talked a little 476 00:24:27,200 --> 00:24:31,560 Speaker 1: bit about the Chargers Colts game Chargers in the postseason, 477 00:24:31,560 --> 00:24:34,760 Speaker 1: and she goes, we can put the Justin Herbert spiel 478 00:24:34,880 --> 00:24:38,600 Speaker 1: to bed. Guys, he's in the playoffs. We're good, Okay, 479 00:24:39,040 --> 00:24:40,679 Speaker 1: now we can see what he can do. And I 480 00:24:40,720 --> 00:24:43,440 Speaker 1: just I kind of broke the fourth world. I was like, Jamie, 481 00:24:43,480 --> 00:24:46,240 Speaker 1: we are so over it. We are so overhearing about it. 482 00:24:46,560 --> 00:24:49,320 Speaker 1: They did it, they punched the ticket. It is phenomenal. 483 00:24:49,760 --> 00:24:52,320 Speaker 1: This AFC. Man, it is going to be so exciting 484 00:24:52,400 --> 00:24:55,480 Speaker 1: to watch to have this team be part of It's 485 00:24:55,480 --> 00:24:58,480 Speaker 1: a spicy conference. We knew that from the off season. 486 00:24:58,640 --> 00:25:00,240 Speaker 1: We thought the AFC West was going to be the 487 00:25:00,240 --> 00:25:02,960 Speaker 1: spicy division. Not so much, but the AFC as a 488 00:25:02,960 --> 00:25:06,960 Speaker 1: whole is really really this is what networks want. You 489 00:25:07,040 --> 00:25:09,480 Speaker 1: get all these quarterbacks in and there's still one spot 490 00:25:09,520 --> 00:25:11,879 Speaker 1: to be decided. A couple of spots, I guess if 491 00:25:11,880 --> 00:25:14,000 Speaker 1: you look at the FC South, but you can have 492 00:25:14,040 --> 00:25:17,920 Speaker 1: some really really sellar quarterbacks in this AFC playoff race. Here, 493 00:25:19,920 --> 00:25:21,520 Speaker 1: all right, let me try to set the table. Eric 494 00:25:21,520 --> 00:25:23,360 Speaker 1: and I'll get you, I'll get you in the mix. Here. 495 00:25:24,280 --> 00:25:27,080 Speaker 1: You mentioned the playoff quarterbacks in the AFC right now, Hailey, 496 00:25:27,440 --> 00:25:31,960 Speaker 1: this is it. Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, Trevor Lawrence, 497 00:25:32,119 --> 00:25:35,960 Speaker 1: Lebar Jackson, Justin Herbert into a tunka violoa. I mean, 498 00:25:37,640 --> 00:25:40,280 Speaker 1: that's like an All Star game. Man, It's gonna be 499 00:25:40,320 --> 00:25:42,639 Speaker 1: so fun if it ends up being these seven teams, 500 00:25:42,640 --> 00:25:45,360 Speaker 1: and obviously five of those seven have already been accounted 501 00:25:45,400 --> 00:25:49,320 Speaker 1: for those spots. Right now, the Chargers would play Cincinnati, 502 00:25:49,560 --> 00:25:51,640 Speaker 1: but there's so much that can happen over the next 503 00:25:51,680 --> 00:25:54,159 Speaker 1: two weeks. Cincinnati has a really good shot to actually 504 00:25:54,200 --> 00:25:56,400 Speaker 1: get the number one seat. They play Buffalo next week 505 00:25:57,200 --> 00:26:01,120 Speaker 1: Kansas City. If they went out and Buffalo drops one, 506 00:26:01,160 --> 00:26:04,160 Speaker 1: they'll get the one seed, and I think Buffalo could 507 00:26:04,200 --> 00:26:06,359 Speaker 1: get too, depending on what happens with Cincinnati. If they 508 00:26:06,400 --> 00:26:09,560 Speaker 1: beat them. We know Jacksonville, Tennessee, it'll come down to 509 00:26:09,560 --> 00:26:12,840 Speaker 1: Week eighteen. What they do next week doesn't even matter. Baltimore, 510 00:26:13,880 --> 00:26:18,160 Speaker 1: they're still alive for the three seed, and the Chargers 511 00:26:18,200 --> 00:26:20,440 Speaker 1: are hoping that Baltimore drops the game and they went out, 512 00:26:20,480 --> 00:26:22,840 Speaker 1: because then they would have the five seed and would 513 00:26:22,880 --> 00:26:26,919 Speaker 1: travel to either Nashville or Jacksonville the seventh seed up 514 00:26:26,920 --> 00:26:28,480 Speaker 1: for grabs. It looks like it's gonna be one of 515 00:26:28,480 --> 00:26:33,000 Speaker 1: those three AFC East teams. The Patriots, the Jets, and 516 00:26:33,000 --> 00:26:35,080 Speaker 1: the Dolphins are all gonna beat each other up here 517 00:26:35,600 --> 00:26:38,120 Speaker 1: as we close the season, and I guess the Pittsburgh 518 00:26:38,119 --> 00:26:42,160 Speaker 1: Steelers are hanging on by a thread. So Eric, you're 519 00:26:42,240 --> 00:26:45,080 Speaker 1: what kind of stands out to you as we kind 520 00:26:45,080 --> 00:26:49,000 Speaker 1: of kick into the next two weeks here, I think 521 00:26:49,000 --> 00:26:51,159 Speaker 1: what's great is that we're in and I think we 522 00:26:51,200 --> 00:26:52,960 Speaker 1: don't have to worry about trying to get a spot 523 00:26:53,000 --> 00:26:55,840 Speaker 1: in the last two weeks. There's such a relief I 524 00:26:55,880 --> 00:26:58,560 Speaker 1: think that comes off your shoulders. And sure we're gonna 525 00:26:58,560 --> 00:27:01,320 Speaker 1: we're gonna try to figure out seeding and all that, um, 526 00:27:01,320 --> 00:27:03,320 Speaker 1: but just being in the dance, I think with with 527 00:27:03,359 --> 00:27:08,960 Speaker 1: two games left, um, it's just such a great feeling. Um. 528 00:27:09,040 --> 00:27:10,679 Speaker 1: You know, I don't really have a preference on on 529 00:27:10,720 --> 00:27:12,880 Speaker 1: where we finish or where we end up, Like certainly 530 00:27:12,920 --> 00:27:17,640 Speaker 1: like some matchup will be maybe more intriguing than others. Um, 531 00:27:17,840 --> 00:27:20,000 Speaker 1: you know, I think, like like you guys said, and 532 00:27:20,040 --> 00:27:22,159 Speaker 1: like we kind of talked about last week to the 533 00:27:22,600 --> 00:27:26,080 Speaker 1: quarterbacks in this playoff field on the in the AFC, 534 00:27:26,280 --> 00:27:30,320 Speaker 1: or just phenomenal. Um, you know, I like I like 535 00:27:30,400 --> 00:27:33,080 Speaker 1: it all. Um. You know, if it's whether we have 536 00:27:33,119 --> 00:27:35,600 Speaker 1: to go to Cincinnati and it's Herbert Burrow in the 537 00:27:35,640 --> 00:27:37,919 Speaker 1: wild card round, if we have to end up going 538 00:27:37,960 --> 00:27:42,240 Speaker 1: to Baltimore Herbert Lamar, Um. You know, if we somehow 539 00:27:42,280 --> 00:27:45,199 Speaker 1: get the five and it's Herbert Lawrence, like that's a 540 00:27:45,240 --> 00:27:48,879 Speaker 1: battle of some great hair right there. Um. You know, 541 00:27:48,920 --> 00:27:51,320 Speaker 1: it's just I don't, I don't. I'm not picky. I'm 542 00:27:51,320 --> 00:27:53,680 Speaker 1: not picky at all. Like just the fact that we're 543 00:27:53,720 --> 00:27:55,879 Speaker 1: in I think is great. Um. I think it's what 544 00:27:55,960 --> 00:28:00,600 Speaker 1: we all expected, you know. Um, But we'll kind of 545 00:28:00,640 --> 00:28:04,359 Speaker 1: see how it plays out. You know, I think getting 546 00:28:04,400 --> 00:28:08,360 Speaker 1: the seven at this point, the two seven matchup probably 547 00:28:08,400 --> 00:28:10,160 Speaker 1: not going to happen, just based on where we're at. 548 00:28:10,200 --> 00:28:12,040 Speaker 1: I think if we win one more game, then we 549 00:28:12,080 --> 00:28:17,560 Speaker 1: are guaranteed the sixth because based on the Miami tiebreaker 550 00:28:17,600 --> 00:28:20,560 Speaker 1: and how that could probably shake out. But it's all 551 00:28:20,640 --> 00:28:23,080 Speaker 1: up in the air. But we're in and that's all 552 00:28:23,080 --> 00:28:26,480 Speaker 1: that matters. Yeah, Hilly, it's looking like five or six 553 00:28:26,840 --> 00:28:29,760 Speaker 1: as Eric mentioned it, I mean Miami Miami's kind of 554 00:28:29,760 --> 00:28:32,160 Speaker 1: falling apart here in December, and there's a good chance 555 00:28:32,240 --> 00:28:35,800 Speaker 1: that they could fall out completely to the Jets or 556 00:28:36,320 --> 00:28:39,600 Speaker 1: maybe even the Patriots. But I look at like the 557 00:28:39,640 --> 00:28:42,880 Speaker 1: next two weeks, and we kind of alluded to it earlier. 558 00:28:43,040 --> 00:28:45,200 Speaker 1: I think this is a great opportunity. And you mentioned this, 559 00:28:45,360 --> 00:28:48,960 Speaker 1: Hilly is kind of clean the slate and figure out 560 00:28:49,520 --> 00:28:52,200 Speaker 1: how you're going to attack the twenty twenty two postseason 561 00:28:52,200 --> 00:28:56,240 Speaker 1: while continuing to try to beat the Rams of Broncos. Yeah, 562 00:28:56,240 --> 00:28:58,400 Speaker 1: Brandon Staley said it last night. This is just the beginning. 563 00:28:58,440 --> 00:29:02,120 Speaker 1: A little nunk chuppy light for the Philip Rivers fans 564 00:29:02,720 --> 00:29:07,440 Speaker 1: who have been around some time. Shout out to Philip 565 00:29:07,560 --> 00:29:10,320 Speaker 1: nun chef. We now we begin. That is kind of 566 00:29:10,600 --> 00:29:13,200 Speaker 1: I think it is great, And you know, Eric mentioned 567 00:29:13,200 --> 00:29:16,040 Speaker 1: that just a couple moments ago, but I think even 568 00:29:16,120 --> 00:29:17,680 Speaker 1: I think I had said it last week when Daniel 569 00:29:17,720 --> 00:29:20,120 Speaker 1: Jeremiah was like, wouldn't it be great on the radio 570 00:29:20,160 --> 00:29:23,080 Speaker 1: if if they knew ahead of week eighteen that they 571 00:29:23,080 --> 00:29:25,520 Speaker 1: had clinched a spot? And I think it is great because, 572 00:29:25,520 --> 00:29:27,480 Speaker 1: as I said earlier, you've got some stuff that you've 573 00:29:27,480 --> 00:29:29,720 Speaker 1: got to work on, and you can sort of clean 574 00:29:29,760 --> 00:29:32,160 Speaker 1: the slate and reset. You're gonna get some guys back, 575 00:29:32,200 --> 00:29:34,280 Speaker 1: at least one guy, Joey Bosa that we know of. 576 00:29:34,320 --> 00:29:37,280 Speaker 1: When that happens remains to be seen, but that will happen. 577 00:29:38,120 --> 00:29:41,000 Speaker 1: Maybe response later comes back me. You know, we'll see 578 00:29:41,000 --> 00:29:45,080 Speaker 1: what happens. But at the same time, you've got some homework, 579 00:29:45,080 --> 00:29:46,959 Speaker 1: You've got some things that you can work on. You're 580 00:29:47,040 --> 00:29:49,000 Speaker 1: hitting your stride on defense, for sure, you can clean 581 00:29:49,000 --> 00:29:51,600 Speaker 1: sup things up on offense, and you're gonna do it 582 00:29:51,640 --> 00:29:53,880 Speaker 1: against two pretty good defenses that you're going to see 583 00:29:53,880 --> 00:29:57,240 Speaker 1: this Rams defense and not they freaking gave it to 584 00:29:57,280 --> 00:29:59,560 Speaker 1: the Broncos the other day, which that's another team that's 585 00:29:59,680 --> 00:30:02,320 Speaker 1: kind of broken, like the Colts, and then Denver's defense. 586 00:30:02,360 --> 00:30:04,480 Speaker 1: I think they're still probably gonna play. They're going through 587 00:30:04,520 --> 00:30:06,760 Speaker 1: some stuff now in Week eighteen. I also think though, 588 00:30:06,760 --> 00:30:08,800 Speaker 1: that Week eighteen game is going to be really critical 589 00:30:08,840 --> 00:30:10,680 Speaker 1: for this Chargers team because it's going to be cold, 590 00:30:11,160 --> 00:30:14,000 Speaker 1: right it's Denver in January. It's probably going to be 591 00:30:14,000 --> 00:30:16,800 Speaker 1: in the forties, if not colder than that, and I 592 00:30:16,840 --> 00:30:18,720 Speaker 1: think that is going to be a really really good test. 593 00:30:18,800 --> 00:30:20,920 Speaker 1: Just to it sounds so stupid, but just to have 594 00:30:21,040 --> 00:30:24,240 Speaker 1: this team play in the cold play, maybe in some elements, 595 00:30:24,760 --> 00:30:27,320 Speaker 1: because okay, if you go to Jacksonville, by the way, 596 00:30:27,480 --> 00:30:29,520 Speaker 1: that would be a phenomenal hair matchup. I pay to 597 00:30:29,560 --> 00:30:31,840 Speaker 1: get this color and add extensions to my hair and 598 00:30:31,840 --> 00:30:33,800 Speaker 1: those two guys don't even have to do any of that. 599 00:30:33,800 --> 00:30:35,680 Speaker 1: That's just like God given right there. So shout out 600 00:30:35,720 --> 00:30:39,840 Speaker 1: Justin Herbert and Trevor Lawrence. But but if you go 601 00:30:39,880 --> 00:30:41,920 Speaker 1: to Jacksonville or you go to Nashville, Nashville could be 602 00:30:42,000 --> 00:30:44,800 Speaker 1: kind of chilly. But that next round, if you make 603 00:30:44,840 --> 00:30:46,880 Speaker 1: it and you're going to a sinc or you're going 604 00:30:46,880 --> 00:30:48,600 Speaker 1: to a Buffalo, or you're going to a Casey, it's 605 00:30:48,600 --> 00:30:50,600 Speaker 1: going to be cold. And I think this team needs 606 00:30:50,880 --> 00:30:53,000 Speaker 1: a game like that under their belt, and they'll certainly 607 00:30:53,000 --> 00:30:57,720 Speaker 1: get that in Week eighteen. Excellent point, and I'm glad 608 00:30:57,760 --> 00:31:00,960 Speaker 1: you mentioned it because the Chargers have been very lucky, 609 00:31:01,480 --> 00:31:03,720 Speaker 1: very very lucky with the weather this year, a majority 610 00:31:03,760 --> 00:31:07,880 Speaker 1: of these games indoors. You got Cleveland in October, so 611 00:31:08,320 --> 00:31:10,840 Speaker 1: I agree with you. I think Week eighteen, just for 612 00:31:10,920 --> 00:31:13,040 Speaker 1: the shear facts of the elements could be in play 613 00:31:13,120 --> 00:31:14,920 Speaker 1: and it could be really cold. You may be going 614 00:31:14,960 --> 00:31:18,320 Speaker 1: to Cincinnati the next week or who knows, Casey or Buffalo. 615 00:31:18,920 --> 00:31:23,280 Speaker 1: So I do think getting a game under your belt 616 00:31:23,320 --> 00:31:26,600 Speaker 1: sixty minutes in cold weather that can't hurt things Erica 617 00:31:26,720 --> 00:31:29,840 Speaker 1: when you're going into January. I mean, I'm I'm not 618 00:31:29,880 --> 00:31:33,880 Speaker 1: a fan of cold weather these days, but yeah, I agree, 619 00:31:33,920 --> 00:31:37,360 Speaker 1: I agree completely. I think that the chance going into 620 00:31:37,400 --> 00:31:40,400 Speaker 1: week eighteen we might know where we're at based on 621 00:31:40,440 --> 00:31:43,360 Speaker 1: what happens. I guess maybe with the Ravens it couldn't 622 00:31:43,400 --> 00:31:45,360 Speaker 1: be up in the air. But I agree Haley, like 623 00:31:45,440 --> 00:31:50,880 Speaker 1: wholeheartedly playing some type of cold weather game. It's important 624 00:31:50,880 --> 00:31:53,360 Speaker 1: just to kind of get that feeling, you know, it 625 00:31:53,480 --> 00:31:57,280 Speaker 1: kind of in your bones, I guess going into into 626 00:31:57,560 --> 00:32:02,760 Speaker 1: the playoffs. Yeah, I mean, it's been a wild ride 627 00:32:03,320 --> 00:32:06,400 Speaker 1: all year, you know that. I think, Hayley, you said earlier, 628 00:32:06,440 --> 00:32:09,920 Speaker 1: you know, there were times maybe where the pessimism was 629 00:32:09,920 --> 00:32:13,120 Speaker 1: was high among fans, you know, whether we're one and 630 00:32:13,200 --> 00:32:16,440 Speaker 1: two or or four and three or six and six, 631 00:32:16,600 --> 00:32:20,600 Speaker 1: like just been so up and down. Um, but we're in. 632 00:32:21,160 --> 00:32:23,880 Speaker 1: That's all that matters. And um, you know, we know 633 00:32:23,880 --> 00:32:26,200 Speaker 1: we got two games left, but we know we got 634 00:32:26,440 --> 00:32:30,600 Speaker 1: more after that. All right, guys, quickly, I'll put you 635 00:32:30,600 --> 00:32:32,520 Speaker 1: on the spot, give give me your player the game 636 00:32:32,880 --> 00:32:35,280 Speaker 1: from Monday night. There was a lot of it's probably 637 00:32:35,320 --> 00:32:37,520 Speaker 1: on the defensive side. But but Haley, who is your 638 00:32:37,520 --> 00:32:40,320 Speaker 1: who's your player of the game in weeks? What week 639 00:32:40,360 --> 00:32:45,720 Speaker 1: were we in? Week sixteen? Yeah? Right, I beats me. 640 00:32:45,840 --> 00:32:47,920 Speaker 1: At this point, it's still is hard to figure out 641 00:32:47,920 --> 00:32:50,240 Speaker 1: that they're there. To know that they're like eighteen weeks 642 00:32:50,240 --> 00:32:52,360 Speaker 1: in this season, My mouth brain is still not good 643 00:32:52,360 --> 00:32:55,600 Speaker 1: with that. Um, this is kind of tough. It would 644 00:32:55,600 --> 00:32:58,840 Speaker 1: definitely be a defensive player. I'm gonna kind of just 645 00:32:58,880 --> 00:33:00,520 Speaker 1: go off the wall because he's sort of started this 646 00:33:00,560 --> 00:33:03,040 Speaker 1: interception train. And that's Michael Davis, who has also been 647 00:33:03,080 --> 00:33:06,040 Speaker 1: playing really, really really well as of late, and another 648 00:33:06,080 --> 00:33:09,560 Speaker 1: guy who has been extremely honest and open. I think 649 00:33:09,600 --> 00:33:12,080 Speaker 1: back to a press conference he gave earlier this year 650 00:33:12,120 --> 00:33:14,760 Speaker 1: about how he kind of went through some personal stuff 651 00:33:14,880 --> 00:33:17,000 Speaker 1: last year and it's sort of maybe gotten the way 652 00:33:17,160 --> 00:33:20,880 Speaker 1: of some of the football things, and it was there 653 00:33:20,920 --> 00:33:22,280 Speaker 1: was a lot to figure out, and there was a 654 00:33:22,280 --> 00:33:24,640 Speaker 1: lot of challenges that he went through and also having 655 00:33:24,720 --> 00:33:27,360 Speaker 1: to learn a brand new defense. He was an undrafted player. 656 00:33:27,440 --> 00:33:30,040 Speaker 1: You know, we forget about this because he's been sort 657 00:33:30,040 --> 00:33:33,000 Speaker 1: of a staple of this team for quite some time now. 658 00:33:33,560 --> 00:33:36,600 Speaker 1: But but he's also like really really come on strong 659 00:33:36,680 --> 00:33:39,400 Speaker 1: and really really shined. You know, Bryce Callahan missed that 660 00:33:39,440 --> 00:33:41,800 Speaker 1: game and he stepped in and he led that that 661 00:33:41,880 --> 00:33:44,560 Speaker 1: sort of interception pick party that they had last night, 662 00:33:44,640 --> 00:33:46,560 Speaker 1: despite the fact, you know, the offense didn't get any 663 00:33:46,560 --> 00:33:49,960 Speaker 1: points off of it, but just to even make the 664 00:33:50,040 --> 00:33:52,600 Speaker 1: play kick that off, have a return, a really nice 665 00:33:52,640 --> 00:33:54,520 Speaker 1: return to set that offense up. I just think he's 666 00:33:54,520 --> 00:33:56,760 Speaker 1: been playing really nicely as of late, and he showed 667 00:33:56,760 --> 00:34:04,880 Speaker 1: it again last night. About you, Eric, Well, Hayley stole 668 00:34:04,960 --> 00:34:08,520 Speaker 1: my answer, but I can pivot to that. Um. Actually, 669 00:34:08,560 --> 00:34:10,960 Speaker 1: I wrote about Michael Davids last week and in the 670 00:34:11,000 --> 00:34:13,440 Speaker 1: mail bag someone asked me who the most improved player 671 00:34:13,560 --> 00:34:15,479 Speaker 1: was for the whole team this year, and I picked 672 00:34:15,480 --> 00:34:19,080 Speaker 1: Michael Davids. UM, he's been playing fantastic. UM. I'm gonna 673 00:34:19,080 --> 00:34:21,080 Speaker 1: go a little bit off the roll off the wall 674 00:34:21,280 --> 00:34:22,960 Speaker 1: with this pick, and this guy's not going to get 675 00:34:23,000 --> 00:34:26,160 Speaker 1: a lot of stats, but just given where where his 676 00:34:26,280 --> 00:34:29,600 Speaker 1: position group is at, I think that Braden for Hooko 677 00:34:29,680 --> 00:34:34,040 Speaker 1: has been such a key player to this defense, UM, 678 00:34:34,480 --> 00:34:36,960 Speaker 1: on and off the field, because like on the field, 679 00:34:37,320 --> 00:34:41,480 Speaker 1: we've needed him just to play because of the attrition 680 00:34:41,560 --> 00:34:45,239 Speaker 1: at that position. Um, and and off the field, we 681 00:34:45,280 --> 00:34:48,480 Speaker 1: all know him right like in the locker room, cracking jokes, UM, 682 00:34:48,960 --> 00:34:51,840 Speaker 1: keeping keeping it lively, like given given the way this 683 00:34:51,880 --> 00:34:55,040 Speaker 1: season has gone and how it could have easily gone 684 00:34:55,080 --> 00:34:58,920 Speaker 1: off the rail that at so many different parts or points. 685 00:34:59,520 --> 00:35:02,120 Speaker 1: Um having a kind of a glue guy like that 686 00:35:02,160 --> 00:35:03,880 Speaker 1: in the locker room. I think it is so valuable 687 00:35:04,320 --> 00:35:06,439 Speaker 1: UM that maybe doesn't get talked about a lot, but 688 00:35:07,080 --> 00:35:09,560 Speaker 1: just kind of keeping the guys together, keeping him laughing 689 00:35:09,680 --> 00:35:12,160 Speaker 1: when when you're on a two game losing creak or 690 00:35:12,200 --> 00:35:15,880 Speaker 1: something like that, right Like, Um, just that like valuable 691 00:35:15,960 --> 00:35:19,400 Speaker 1: locker room presence. Um. Like I said, he's not going 692 00:35:19,480 --> 00:35:21,080 Speaker 1: to fill up the box core, he's not gonna have 693 00:35:21,120 --> 00:35:23,440 Speaker 1: ten tackles. But he made that play on fourth and 694 00:35:23,480 --> 00:35:28,240 Speaker 1: one while while Load with Superman and jumped over the line, 695 00:35:29,040 --> 00:35:32,200 Speaker 1: Braden was like the low man and like went under 696 00:35:32,239 --> 00:35:33,880 Speaker 1: the lineman and kind of it was kind of like 697 00:35:33,920 --> 00:35:36,560 Speaker 1: a tag team effort there. So I'll give my vote 698 00:35:36,560 --> 00:35:41,200 Speaker 1: to Pajoko. Chris, how about you? You know what the 699 00:35:41,239 --> 00:35:43,040 Speaker 1: reason I asked the question because there was no clear 700 00:35:43,080 --> 00:35:45,799 Speaker 1: cook guy. There's so many, so many great performances. It 701 00:35:45,840 --> 00:35:48,719 Speaker 1: was like very balance all around. I'd probably give it 702 00:35:48,719 --> 00:35:52,040 Speaker 1: to Drew just because of, you know, his leadership this year. 703 00:35:52,040 --> 00:35:54,440 Speaker 1: I really think he's coming to his own with with 704 00:35:54,719 --> 00:35:57,200 Speaker 1: this new defense and just being a veteran in this 705 00:35:57,320 --> 00:36:00,640 Speaker 1: league doing it in Indiana, leading team intas, getting the 706 00:36:00,680 --> 00:36:05,160 Speaker 1: sack and bringing that energy. And Drew has been awesome 707 00:36:05,600 --> 00:36:09,239 Speaker 1: all year long, wins or losses. He's he's held the 708 00:36:09,520 --> 00:36:12,319 Speaker 1: team accountable, he's held himself accountable, and I just thought 709 00:36:12,320 --> 00:36:14,959 Speaker 1: it was a really nice moment for him to punch 710 00:36:15,000 --> 00:36:16,560 Speaker 1: his ticket to the playoffs for the first time in 711 00:36:16,600 --> 00:36:21,000 Speaker 1: his career and also be just an impact guy. Um. 712 00:36:21,640 --> 00:36:24,719 Speaker 1: Last thing for you guys. You know, obviously Derwin didn't 713 00:36:24,760 --> 00:36:28,759 Speaker 1: play for most of this game, but Haley, that interception 714 00:36:29,080 --> 00:36:31,719 Speaker 1: that he had in some of these plays, like it 715 00:36:31,760 --> 00:36:34,959 Speaker 1: was unfortunate because you know, he got that fifteen yard 716 00:36:34,960 --> 00:36:37,520 Speaker 1: face mask where the helmet just kind of ripped off, 717 00:36:37,560 --> 00:36:41,200 Speaker 1: and then obviously that that real vicious hit. Um, But 718 00:36:41,760 --> 00:36:44,480 Speaker 1: it gave us a kind of a glimpse of the 719 00:36:44,600 --> 00:36:48,120 Speaker 1: energy that he brings to the defense, and and I 720 00:36:48,160 --> 00:36:50,200 Speaker 1: just I feel like that they could ratchet it up 721 00:36:50,239 --> 00:36:53,160 Speaker 1: a little bit more when when he's on the field, 722 00:36:53,520 --> 00:36:56,960 Speaker 1: and just to see him so happy post game in 723 00:36:57,000 --> 00:37:01,279 Speaker 1: the locker room, Um, just he's he's he's got this 724 00:37:01,360 --> 00:37:03,520 Speaker 1: infectious energy, and we can we say it every week. 725 00:37:03,640 --> 00:37:07,560 Speaker 1: Probably I'm sure people they know this, right, but I 726 00:37:07,680 --> 00:37:11,839 Speaker 1: feel like if Dorwin is healthy down the stretch in 727 00:37:11,880 --> 00:37:14,840 Speaker 1: the playoffs, he's a guy that you can count on 728 00:37:14,920 --> 00:37:17,960 Speaker 1: to maybe make a big play for your team. I 729 00:37:18,080 --> 00:37:22,080 Speaker 1: literally have ESPN on my TV right over here as 730 00:37:22,080 --> 00:37:24,719 Speaker 1: I'm like looking off and they're showing highlights and his 731 00:37:24,760 --> 00:37:27,879 Speaker 1: interception was the number two of the Sports Center top 732 00:37:27,960 --> 00:37:32,440 Speaker 1: ten from yesterday. All of yesterday's wide world of sports content. 733 00:37:33,040 --> 00:37:35,480 Speaker 1: He brings it. I mean, we've seen it. We saw 734 00:37:35,480 --> 00:37:37,920 Speaker 1: it in twenty eighteen when he did incredible things as 735 00:37:37,920 --> 00:37:40,600 Speaker 1: a rookie. And he's another guy who has just faced 736 00:37:41,160 --> 00:37:46,200 Speaker 1: so so so much just adversity throughout his short year, short, 737 00:37:46,280 --> 00:37:49,280 Speaker 1: excuse me, career in this league. That it is really 738 00:37:49,320 --> 00:37:53,640 Speaker 1: remarkable that he has come out of that mentally physically 739 00:37:53,880 --> 00:37:56,560 Speaker 1: more than fine, if not better than he was. And 740 00:37:56,600 --> 00:37:59,319 Speaker 1: I think we know that, and many times we have 741 00:37:59,360 --> 00:38:01,120 Speaker 1: referred to him is not only the heart and soul 742 00:38:01,160 --> 00:38:02,920 Speaker 1: of this defense, but in many times the heart and 743 00:38:02,920 --> 00:38:04,640 Speaker 1: soul of this team too, that he is such a 744 00:38:04,760 --> 00:38:08,879 Speaker 1: rallying force despite still being so young, so young in 745 00:38:08,920 --> 00:38:12,040 Speaker 1: his NFL career and as a player as well. And 746 00:38:12,120 --> 00:38:13,640 Speaker 1: I think you're going to need that, and you're going 747 00:38:13,680 --> 00:38:16,200 Speaker 1: to see that. I know he's obviously in concussion protocol 748 00:38:16,320 --> 00:38:19,319 Speaker 1: right now. Look, whatever happens, you don't really need him 749 00:38:19,360 --> 00:38:21,640 Speaker 1: this week. That's the benefit, right You're in. You plunched 750 00:38:21,680 --> 00:38:24,359 Speaker 1: your ticket. You don't really need these guys to do 751 00:38:24,440 --> 00:38:27,319 Speaker 1: so much to earn you that spot because you've gotten it. 752 00:38:27,760 --> 00:38:31,560 Speaker 1: But the energy he brings that interception was just incredible. 753 00:38:31,719 --> 00:38:33,799 Speaker 1: I still can't believe he got both feet down. Like 754 00:38:34,480 --> 00:38:36,440 Speaker 1: to watch him leap up and grab it was just 755 00:38:36,560 --> 00:38:39,840 Speaker 1: absolutely insane and just so athletic and just a reminder 756 00:38:40,320 --> 00:38:43,279 Speaker 1: of just how special he is. And I think I 757 00:38:43,280 --> 00:38:46,120 Speaker 1: said this at one point this season two on this podcast. 758 00:38:46,800 --> 00:38:49,239 Speaker 1: We I think we've forgot at times that he was 759 00:38:49,360 --> 00:38:52,400 Speaker 1: fully healthy prior to those few games that he missed 760 00:38:52,760 --> 00:38:55,200 Speaker 1: because he was just playing so consistently well. And I 761 00:38:55,239 --> 00:38:58,200 Speaker 1: think sometimes we get caught up in the NFL as 762 00:38:58,239 --> 00:39:00,759 Speaker 1: a whole of sort of just kind of you know, 763 00:39:00,920 --> 00:39:04,000 Speaker 1: forgetting like greatness in a sense because it just becomes 764 00:39:04,000 --> 00:39:06,360 Speaker 1: so routine. But then you see a play like that 765 00:39:06,400 --> 00:39:08,480 Speaker 1: and you're reminded, Oh, yeah, this guy's really really good 766 00:39:08,640 --> 00:39:10,880 Speaker 1: and he does really amazing things for this team, and 767 00:39:10,880 --> 00:39:12,879 Speaker 1: it's gonna be awesome to see him get another shot 768 00:39:12,880 --> 00:39:17,359 Speaker 1: at the postseason two. Yep, and Eric, we'll get out 769 00:39:17,360 --> 00:39:20,560 Speaker 1: of here on this. The fact that you get Drwin 770 00:39:20,680 --> 00:39:24,480 Speaker 1: back and ready to go for January, but a chance 771 00:39:24,520 --> 00:39:28,080 Speaker 1: that Joey Bosa is going to join him. This team 772 00:39:28,120 --> 00:39:31,720 Speaker 1: has had so much adversity with its stars. J C Jackson, 773 00:39:32,200 --> 00:39:36,479 Speaker 1: high price cornerback out for the year, Joey Bosa goes 774 00:39:36,520 --> 00:39:39,640 Speaker 1: down a week three, Hopefully you see him in January. 775 00:39:41,520 --> 00:39:45,839 Speaker 1: Joey Bosa and Derwin James on a defense that has 776 00:39:45,880 --> 00:39:49,680 Speaker 1: played like this over the last three weeks. That's exactly 777 00:39:49,960 --> 00:39:52,960 Speaker 1: what branded Staley is hoping for. And if you can 778 00:39:53,040 --> 00:39:56,200 Speaker 1: add two all pros to what you've already been doing 779 00:39:56,239 --> 00:39:59,200 Speaker 1: the last three weeks in December, I think you gotta 780 00:39:59,200 --> 00:40:03,520 Speaker 1: be feeling pretty good. I think you're probably feeling pretty 781 00:40:03,520 --> 00:40:06,000 Speaker 1: great about that. I mean, I can't really stay much 782 00:40:06,040 --> 00:40:08,719 Speaker 1: more about Derwin than than what Haley just said. But 783 00:40:09,760 --> 00:40:13,359 Speaker 1: but with Joey um, just like the lift. I think 784 00:40:13,400 --> 00:40:17,359 Speaker 1: that his hopeful return what we'll bring to this team. Um, 785 00:40:17,480 --> 00:40:20,040 Speaker 1: because Joey's kind of been like a man of mystery 786 00:40:20,280 --> 00:40:24,960 Speaker 1: this year. We haven't talked to Joey since week two. 787 00:40:25,040 --> 00:40:27,200 Speaker 1: I guess like he didn't talk after he got hurt. 788 00:40:27,200 --> 00:40:31,799 Speaker 1: So it's been months and anyone's spoken to him. I've 789 00:40:31,840 --> 00:40:33,839 Speaker 1: seen him around. I saw him in the parking lot 790 00:40:33,880 --> 00:40:35,360 Speaker 1: the other day. But just to make sure he's like 791 00:40:35,440 --> 00:40:38,800 Speaker 1: still here, you know, and he is. He is around, 792 00:40:39,200 --> 00:40:42,520 Speaker 1: he just hasn't practiced yet. Um. Maybe we'll find out 793 00:40:42,560 --> 00:40:45,640 Speaker 1: today from Brandon's daily if he's going to practice. Um, 794 00:40:45,640 --> 00:40:48,400 Speaker 1: we'll find out for sure in person on Wednesday if 795 00:40:48,560 --> 00:40:51,560 Speaker 1: if he's out there. Um, But just like the Lift, 796 00:40:51,560 --> 00:40:54,520 Speaker 1: that's someone like him the present will bring to this defense. 797 00:40:54,800 --> 00:40:59,120 Speaker 1: And even even if he's not like one hundred percent healthy, right, 798 00:40:59,160 --> 00:41:02,520 Speaker 1: even if he's not every down, if you line him 799 00:41:02,600 --> 00:41:06,160 Speaker 1: up on third down, like, offenses are going to take 800 00:41:06,280 --> 00:41:08,880 Speaker 1: note of that. And just if he can make some 801 00:41:09,120 --> 00:41:12,280 Speaker 1: sort of impact, which would be incredible given the injury 802 00:41:12,320 --> 00:41:14,200 Speaker 1: that he had, a lot of guy probably wouldn't even 803 00:41:14,239 --> 00:41:16,480 Speaker 1: come back at all. And if he does, I think, 804 00:41:16,520 --> 00:41:18,120 Speaker 1: just like it's going to be such a big booth 805 00:41:18,200 --> 00:41:21,520 Speaker 1: to the defense and to the team. You know, I 806 00:41:21,520 --> 00:41:23,920 Speaker 1: think the whole locker room will be energized by that. 807 00:41:24,200 --> 00:41:26,279 Speaker 1: And if you can do it around playoff time like that, 808 00:41:26,680 --> 00:41:30,520 Speaker 1: that just the probably like the best situation you could 809 00:41:30,520 --> 00:41:35,360 Speaker 1: probably imagine. Guys, It's been a strange year to this point, 810 00:41:36,040 --> 00:41:39,200 Speaker 1: but you got to give the coaches, in the players 811 00:41:39,200 --> 00:41:41,200 Speaker 1: and stuff a ton of credit for staying the course. 812 00:41:41,480 --> 00:41:43,600 Speaker 1: Get in the nine and six, punching your ticket with 813 00:41:43,600 --> 00:41:46,520 Speaker 1: two weeks to spare, and we'll see what happens next 814 00:41:46,520 --> 00:41:49,719 Speaker 1: week against the Rams and then week eighteen, potentially in 815 00:41:49,840 --> 00:41:54,680 Speaker 1: very cold conditions against the Denver Broncos. For Haley Elwood 816 00:41:54,719 --> 00:41:57,080 Speaker 1: and Eric Smith, I'm Chris Harry. This has been the 817 00:41:57,120 --> 00:41:59,120 Speaker 1: final drive. We'll see you next week.