WEBVTT - #15: NEW #1! 0:00:04.743 --> 0:00:07.303 NFL Power Rankings is a production of the NFL in 0:00:07.383 --> 0:00:08.903 partnership with iHeartRadio. 0:00:11.463 --> 0:00:14.023 Welcome to a brand new edition of NFL Power Rankings. 0:00:14.023 --> 0:00:16.423 Mike Am and Eric at Home with you. This is 0:00:16.463 --> 0:00:18.663 the show where we go through some of the best 0:00:18.663 --> 0:00:21.023 teams in the NFL, but we'll touch on every single 0:00:21.023 --> 0:00:24.583 one of them. Complete analysis of your team on NFL 0:00:24.823 --> 0:00:26.583 dot Com. But Eric, this is gonna be fun because 0:00:26.623 --> 0:00:28.463 last couple of weeks at the top, not a ton 0:00:28.503 --> 0:00:31.263 of movement, But this week we do have some changes 0:00:31.423 --> 0:00:34.703 and two teams not in the top ten that should 0:00:34.783 --> 0:00:36.183 scare some of the league's elite. 0:00:37.463 --> 0:00:39.423 Yeah. I think in a season Mike, where there aren't 0:00:39.583 --> 0:00:41.463 there isn't a whole lot of mystery about who is 0:00:41.463 --> 0:00:43.663 going to get in the playoffs, not that many teams 0:00:43.703 --> 0:00:45.783 sort of vying for those spots like we normally have. 0:00:46.303 --> 0:00:48.583 We do have two teams in the playoff picture, the 0:00:48.583 --> 0:00:51.903 Bucks and Rams, just outside my top ten. I think 0:00:51.943 --> 0:00:54.103 could make a move or be a very scary opponent 0:00:54.263 --> 0:00:55.023 in the playoffs. 0:00:55.223 --> 0:00:57.183 Yeah, look at the Atlanta Falcons. We'll touch on them, 0:00:57.183 --> 0:00:58.983 because the Bucks at this point not in an exact 0:00:59.063 --> 0:01:01.383 lot to go and win that division, and at the 0:01:01.423 --> 0:01:02.583 end of the day, still don't know what's going to 0:01:02.623 --> 0:01:05.503 happen in the NFC West. I Knowlanta fans are like, dude, 0:01:05.623 --> 0:01:07.983 did you see Kirk Cousins out there? I did, But 0:01:08.023 --> 0:01:09.903 I'm just looking at the remaining schedule and maybe we 0:01:09.943 --> 0:01:12.263 see Michael Pennix. More on that in just a moment. 0:01:12.303 --> 0:01:14.863 But let's go with the top. All right, here's the change. 0:01:14.863 --> 0:01:17.103 And I love when we can start off the show 0:01:17.143 --> 0:01:18.903 and we talk about a new number one, and that 0:01:18.983 --> 0:01:22.263 is the Philadelphia The Eagles maybe the most impressive thing 0:01:22.303 --> 0:01:24.863 of that win a second half shutout to the Steelers. 0:01:24.863 --> 0:01:27.103 The Bills at number two, yet they're the real deal. 0:01:27.143 --> 0:01:30.103 The Chiefs at three. Got some real questions about Patrick 0:01:30.143 --> 0:01:34.063 Mahomes and his health. The Lions, speaking of health, walking wounded. 0:01:34.143 --> 0:01:35.903 We will talk about that in just a moment. The 0:01:35.983 --> 0:01:39.103 Vikings continue to figure out ways to win some football games. 0:01:39.103 --> 0:01:42.103 The Packers they dominate Seattle. Lamar not out of the 0:01:42.183 --> 0:01:45.143 MVP conversation as his Ravens are in the seventh spot, 0:01:45.463 --> 0:01:49.103 and the Steelers just fifty six rushing yards, no rushing touchdowns, 0:01:49.223 --> 0:01:51.383 a little bit of a cause for concern, but still 0:01:51.743 --> 0:01:54.783 in the top ten. Sitting at number eight. All right, 0:01:54.783 --> 0:01:57.383 so let's start with this number one team here, the 0:01:57.423 --> 0:02:00.103 Philadelphia Eagles, Eric, and this is a squad that had 0:02:00.143 --> 0:02:02.183 a little bit of I don't want to say dysfunction, 0:02:02.303 --> 0:02:04.583 Maybe that's overstating things, but a little bit of contra 0:02:05.223 --> 0:02:08.623 at AJ Brown and Jalen Hurts. Look, they were winning 0:02:08.703 --> 0:02:10.543 and they were still potentially at least an issue. They 0:02:10.543 --> 0:02:13.543 get another impressive win, and those guys seem to be 0:02:13.743 --> 0:02:15.183 simpotico on the same page. 0:02:16.383 --> 0:02:18.303 Yeah, I think so. I think that's the way to 0:02:18.383 --> 0:02:20.623 answer a question. Right, It's leads up to the game. 0:02:20.663 --> 0:02:22.823 It's been the discussion point all week long, and then 0:02:22.863 --> 0:02:25.023 what do they do. They passed their way to victory. 0:02:25.263 --> 0:02:28.343 Antonio Brown using that very specific word after the win 0:02:28.423 --> 0:02:32.143 over Carolina suggesting things aren't going well. Well they did Sunday, 0:02:32.183 --> 0:02:33.783 and it's nice to know, Mike that you can have 0:02:33.823 --> 0:02:36.503 Saquon Barkley kind of have an off day, certainly by 0:02:36.503 --> 0:02:39.543 his standards anyway, but not be the focal part of 0:02:39.663 --> 0:02:43.383 the offense. Jalen Hurts was dialed in. He was effective 0:02:43.423 --> 0:02:46.223 as a scrambler and as a thrower. AJ Brown, the 0:02:46.303 --> 0:02:50.023 leading receiver, DeVante Smith very active, having both those guys 0:02:50.063 --> 0:02:52.503 go off in the same game makes them that much 0:02:52.543 --> 0:02:55.903 more dangerous. Love the way the defense played, and frankly, 0:02:55.983 --> 0:02:57.463 I didn't think it was that close the game. I 0:02:57.503 --> 0:02:59.943 thought they outplayed it pretty thoroughly, maybe more so than 0:02:59.943 --> 0:03:00.863 the score indicated. 0:03:01.183 --> 0:03:03.223 Yeah, I'm with you there, at least on the MVP 0:03:03.383 --> 0:03:07.863 watch with Saquon Barkley. A dominant performance against this Steelers 0:03:07.943 --> 0:03:10.063 team I think would have kept him in that conversation. 0:03:10.103 --> 0:03:12.183 I'm not saying that he's out. It's just tougher for 0:03:12.303 --> 0:03:14.943 Riebacks in general, and I think that margin is not 0:03:15.063 --> 0:03:18.543 as big. It does. Feel like Josh Allen is clearly 0:03:18.623 --> 0:03:22.023 in pole position right now for that award. His Buffalo 0:03:22.063 --> 0:03:24.863 Bills continue to win now caveat here, and we'll talk 0:03:24.903 --> 0:03:27.343 about it when we discussed Detroit. They're obviously banged up, 0:03:27.623 --> 0:03:32.343 but Josh just continues to perform at a ridiculously high level, 0:03:32.543 --> 0:03:35.823 and he's got kind of like these Heisman moments, right 0:03:35.863 --> 0:03:37.463 like we talk about that for that award. He's got 0:03:37.463 --> 0:03:39.543 these MVP moments, and I think a win against the 0:03:39.543 --> 0:03:42.183 Lions that we just witnessed with another big game maybe 0:03:42.183 --> 0:03:43.063 cements it for him. 0:03:43.623 --> 0:03:44.183 Absolutely. 0:03:44.303 --> 0:03:46.423 Yeah, I mean, obviously he kind of helped his stock 0:03:46.503 --> 0:03:48.543 with the loss of the Rams, sort of as a 0:03:48.543 --> 0:03:51.303 one man show bringing his team back to the cost 0:03:51.423 --> 0:03:52.023 of victory. 0:03:52.143 --> 0:03:53.103 Bill's had to hold. 0:03:52.943 --> 0:03:54.863 On in this one, but they needed every single one 0:03:54.863 --> 0:03:57.343 of the points that Allen generated, and he was spectacular. 0:03:57.623 --> 0:03:59.543 You know. Some of the ball placements Mike on those 0:03:59.583 --> 0:04:02.823 long throws were terrific. And to me, the biggest thing 0:04:02.903 --> 0:04:05.183 for the difference between what we've seen Mallen in the 0:04:05.223 --> 0:04:08.223 past is he's had those those Heisman moments or those 0:04:08.343 --> 0:04:11.903 MVP moments before. But the down to down consistency and 0:04:11.943 --> 0:04:14.943 the accuracy, the lack of turnovers this year has been 0:04:14.983 --> 0:04:17.623 a huge reason why his game is elevated, I think. 0:04:17.663 --> 0:04:20.583 And yeah, Buffalo has some defensive issues they've got to 0:04:20.623 --> 0:04:23.303 work out, certainly last two games have kind of exposed them. 0:04:23.343 --> 0:04:26.783 But when you have a nuclear grade weapon at quarterback, 0:04:27.183 --> 0:04:30.023 sometimes that isn't even all that important. So I think 0:04:30.063 --> 0:04:32.303 the Bills are in great shape just behind the Eagles. 0:04:32.343 --> 0:04:33.903 Could make a case for either one of them at 0:04:33.943 --> 0:04:36.463 number one. This is this is a really potent team 0:04:36.543 --> 0:04:36.903 right now. 0:04:37.223 --> 0:04:38.943 All right, I will ask if you like them better 0:04:38.983 --> 0:04:40.383 than the Chiefs, but I want to get your take 0:04:40.423 --> 0:04:42.983 on Kansas City right now, because I think there's a 0:04:43.023 --> 0:04:46.223 world that exists where the usage of Patrick Mahomes certainly 0:04:46.223 --> 0:04:50.943 in question, dealing obviously with the ankle sprain, I don't know, like, 0:04:50.943 --> 0:04:52.383 like what am I supposed to make of this team? 0:04:52.423 --> 0:04:54.783 Because there I get home field advantage. I understand how 0:04:54.783 --> 0:04:56.903 important it is, But there's a world, at least in 0:04:56.943 --> 0:04:59.423 my mind, where I go, Hey, should I be rolling 0:04:59.423 --> 0:05:01.503 Patrick Mahomes not out one hundred percent down the stretch 0:05:01.543 --> 0:05:03.143 out in a lot of these games? 0:05:04.663 --> 0:05:06.903 Yeah, go figure, it's their first early win in months, 0:05:07.023 --> 0:05:09.023 our easy win, I should say, in months where they 0:05:09.063 --> 0:05:11.503 get ahead, they put it out in our out of 0:05:11.623 --> 0:05:13.543 arms reach and. 0:05:12.943 --> 0:05:14.543 A cruise to victory. And what do we do? 0:05:14.583 --> 0:05:17.143 We have something else to talk about, and that's mahomes injury. 0:05:17.143 --> 0:05:19.863 And look, he's played through pain before, played almost an 0:05:19.983 --> 0:05:21.903 entire season through it through an injury, and. 0:05:21.863 --> 0:05:22.943 Still won a super Bowl. 0:05:23.023 --> 0:05:24.903 So you know, we have to kind of grade it 0:05:24.943 --> 0:05:27.103 on a scale, just like we graded all the close 0:05:27.223 --> 0:05:29.543 victories on a scale because of all the good will 0:05:29.623 --> 0:05:32.863 the Chiefs have built up the last several years. So yeah, 0:05:32.863 --> 0:05:35.663 I'm concerned. I don't have enough information right now. We 0:05:35.783 --> 0:05:38.863 haven't seen Mahomes in action obviously to know what he's 0:05:38.943 --> 0:05:41.703 capable of. Will he even play this coming weekend against 0:05:41.703 --> 0:05:44.583 the Texans, So a lot of questions. You know, it 0:05:44.663 --> 0:05:47.343 really does sort of put the target on this defense again. 0:05:47.383 --> 0:05:49.543 And maybe it's not quite as good a group as 0:05:49.583 --> 0:05:51.983 the one that had Lagerius sneed last year, but still 0:05:52.023 --> 0:05:54.903 this is a defense that at its best can carry 0:05:54.903 --> 0:05:57.263 this team to a championship, especially, like you said, if 0:05:57.303 --> 0:05:59.063 they get home field advantage at Arrowhead. 0:05:59.863 --> 0:06:02.263 Just for context here, obviously they get the win against 0:06:02.303 --> 0:06:05.623 Cleveland on a Sunday, They're playing Houston on on Saturday, 0:06:05.743 --> 0:06:08.503 so the Texans they could use the signature win to 0:06:08.543 --> 0:06:11.063 bolster their confidence, there's no question about that. And then 0:06:11.063 --> 0:06:13.023 they're playing on Christmas Day. So we're talking about a 0:06:13.103 --> 0:06:16.303 very short period of time with Patrick Mahomes that that's 0:06:16.343 --> 0:06:19.583 not at one hundred percent. I just throw that out there. 0:06:19.703 --> 0:06:21.943 Are they better than the Bills? And I know we 0:06:22.023 --> 0:06:24.183 got the head to head, but just generally speaking in 0:06:24.223 --> 0:06:26.663 a postseason, do you like the Bills better than the Chiefs? 0:06:27.983 --> 0:06:28.223 Yeah? 0:06:28.263 --> 0:06:30.263 I do right now, But obviously once we turn the 0:06:30.263 --> 0:06:32.783 page of the postseason, we know how that history has gone. 0:06:32.863 --> 0:06:33.543 Right the Bills have. 0:06:33.543 --> 0:06:35.143 Sort of had a little bit of an edge in 0:06:35.183 --> 0:06:38.583 the regular season matchups the Chiefs obviously in the postseason. 0:06:38.663 --> 0:06:40.663 So you know, it might come down to what kind 0:06:40.703 --> 0:06:42.383 of shape boath these teams are in a month from 0:06:42.383 --> 0:06:44.223 now if they do end up meeting. But yeah, I 0:06:44.223 --> 0:06:46.583 would say I like the Bills by a sliver, especially 0:06:46.583 --> 0:06:49.063 with the Mahomes injury kind of tipping in that direction. 0:06:49.503 --> 0:06:52.383 Okay, where teams are currently at as a different conversation 0:06:52.463 --> 0:06:54.143 than where they are going to be. Here's what I 0:06:54.143 --> 0:06:56.103 can tell you about the Detroit Lions, who sit at 0:06:56.183 --> 0:07:00.063 number four. This story doesn't feel great, and I love 0:07:00.143 --> 0:07:03.383 where they had, what they've been able to accomplish. But Eric, 0:07:03.423 --> 0:07:05.663 I look all over the football feels on the defensive side, 0:07:05.703 --> 0:07:06.863 all I see are hurt dudes. 0:07:08.863 --> 0:07:11.063 It's adding up at at an alarming rate. 0:07:11.143 --> 0:07:13.103 And now we also get the news not just the 0:07:13.103 --> 0:07:16.583 defense effected, but David Montgomery with the mcl injury. He's 0:07:16.623 --> 0:07:19.023 done for the year. We know how important he is, 0:07:19.023 --> 0:07:21.343 so that sort of thunder and lightning backfield they have. 0:07:21.543 --> 0:07:24.743 But you know, Aleen McNeil a big piece upfront. He's 0:07:24.783 --> 0:07:27.703 now al Carlton Davis possibly could return. 0:07:28.023 --> 0:07:30.263 You know in about six weeks. But that's putting him on. 0:07:30.463 --> 0:07:32.503 You know, they've got to get to the NFC Championship 0:07:32.543 --> 0:07:35.543 game if they want to have him back. News maybe 0:07:35.543 --> 0:07:38.023 getting worse two on Aiden Hutchinson if they were to 0:07:38.023 --> 0:07:40.343 make a Super Bowl run. So yeah, everything seems to 0:07:40.343 --> 0:07:42.703 be trending in the wrong direction. You and I both 0:07:42.783 --> 0:07:45.303 know this has been the best team in football more 0:07:45.343 --> 0:07:48.623 often than it hasn't this season, but this this late 0:07:48.743 --> 0:07:51.703 season turn, it's like the Lions just can't have nice 0:07:51.703 --> 0:07:53.783 things or something. Now, maybe they'll pull through it. This 0:07:53.863 --> 0:07:57.063 is Dan Campbell and company, but right now they're really 0:07:57.143 --> 0:07:57.783 up against it. 0:07:58.503 --> 0:08:02.143 Schedule somewhat favorable when you consider it's the Bears and 0:08:02.143 --> 0:08:04.623 the Niners. Sure both of those games are on the road. 0:08:04.823 --> 0:08:06.863 And then they closed out Week eighteen in a game 0:08:06.903 --> 0:08:08.903 that not only can decide the vision, but who gets 0:08:08.903 --> 0:08:11.903 the one seed in Week eighteen against the Minnesota Vikings, 0:08:11.943 --> 0:08:15.183 that is a home game in Detroit. Speaking of the Vikings, 0:08:15.223 --> 0:08:16.943 you know, I loved what you said last week on 0:08:16.983 --> 0:08:19.263 the show. Not that Sam Donald's the MVP this year, 0:08:19.303 --> 0:08:21.783 but he deserves to be in the conversation. Couldn't agree 0:08:21.823 --> 0:08:25.783 with you more. The Vikings They are as dangerous as 0:08:25.863 --> 0:08:28.463 any team in the NFL. I've had some folks on 0:08:28.463 --> 0:08:30.223 social media hit me up and say, hey, stop talking 0:08:30.263 --> 0:08:33.023 about us. We want to fly under the radar. I 0:08:33.023 --> 0:08:35.343 think they're grabbing enough attention. Now we have to pay 0:08:35.383 --> 0:08:37.263 attention to what they are doing on the football field. 0:08:38.343 --> 0:08:40.583 Yeah, it feels different to me. Two years ago when 0:08:40.623 --> 0:08:43.623 they were thirteen and fourteen with the negative point differential, 0:08:43.903 --> 0:08:46.023 we had an easy sort of talking point. They didn't 0:08:46.063 --> 0:08:49.263 necessarily match the eye test. The thirteen wins felt like 0:08:49.263 --> 0:08:52.543 an aberration. This year, however, with right now and even 0:08:52.583 --> 0:08:55.783 better record at least win percentage wise, they look the 0:08:55.863 --> 0:08:58.223 part right. They've got the number one receiver healthy and 0:08:58.423 --> 0:09:01.663 justin Jefferson, they have the sidekick and Addison Donald has 0:09:01.703 --> 0:09:05.063 cut down his turnovers. Have played great football, and I 0:09:05.103 --> 0:09:07.543 thought really set the tone against Chicago. Those first three 0:09:07.623 --> 0:09:10.063 or four series of the game really kind of took over. 0:09:10.143 --> 0:09:14.823 Jonathan Garnard attacking Caleb Williams, forcing that fumble, and after 0:09:14.863 --> 0:09:17.143 all those early stops, they didn't convert a lot, but 0:09:17.143 --> 0:09:19.223 they built up enough of a big lead and then 0:09:19.223 --> 0:09:21.343 put it away in the second half. So much cleaner 0:09:21.383 --> 0:09:24.303 outing than the game ass Soldier Field where they dominated 0:09:24.583 --> 0:09:26.223 and then gave up the big run at the end. 0:09:26.223 --> 0:09:28.823 We're kind of frankly lucky to win. So I think 0:09:28.863 --> 0:09:31.063 they're just sort of cleaning up some of their their 0:09:31.103 --> 0:09:33.583 little they're little messes that they made earlier in the 0:09:33.623 --> 0:09:38.063 season and turning out sort of crisper performances as we 0:09:38.103 --> 0:09:39.103 go along in the season. 0:09:39.623 --> 0:09:42.503 I think when you assess the teams as from a 0:09:42.503 --> 0:09:44.703 fan perspective, and you sit back and you go, who 0:09:44.743 --> 0:09:46.783 are the legitimately the teams that can make a run? Like, 0:09:46.823 --> 0:09:48.823 what's the mental makeup of a lot of these squads? 0:09:48.863 --> 0:09:50.943 A you got to be mentally tough, but what do 0:09:50.983 --> 0:09:53.623 you do really well? I tend to favor you got 0:09:53.663 --> 0:09:55.623 to be so dominant on one side of the football 0:09:55.663 --> 0:09:58.823 to overcome some deficiencies maybe on the other side. This 0:09:58.863 --> 0:10:02.143 is a complete Vikings team Offensively, we know what they're 0:10:02.143 --> 0:10:05.023 able to do. Defensively, Brian Flores has got these guys 0:10:05.063 --> 0:10:07.503 absolutely rolling. And I think there's fans in Green Bay 0:10:07.543 --> 0:10:09.503 that are sitting there, go let's pump the brakes here, 0:10:09.663 --> 0:10:12.543 Let's relax. We got a good we have an opportunity 0:10:12.583 --> 0:10:14.343 to to win this division. Now Green Bay needs some 0:10:14.343 --> 0:10:16.623 things to fall into place. But the best sign for me, 0:10:16.783 --> 0:10:19.663 Eric is Jordan Love, who is a turnover machine to 0:10:19.703 --> 0:10:22.143 start the season, hasn't thrown a pick in the last 0:10:22.223 --> 0:10:24.663 four games, a couple prime time matchups. He's got seven 0:10:24.703 --> 0:10:28.383 touchdowns during that span. He's elevating this Packers team. 0:10:29.463 --> 0:10:30.863 I agree, he absolutely is. 0:10:30.943 --> 0:10:33.423 You may have questions about whether the defense can stop 0:10:33.463 --> 0:10:36.223 a top unit, you know, you may have concerns about 0:10:36.223 --> 0:10:38.543 little pieces on the offensive line, or whether the special 0:10:38.583 --> 0:10:41.343 teams are gonna crumble. But I really think that offense, 0:10:41.423 --> 0:10:44.583 especially with Love playing more turnover free ball, as you said, 0:10:44.903 --> 0:10:47.263 has become one of the more dangerous quarterbacks in the league. 0:10:47.303 --> 0:10:49.983 You saw the Detroit Lions go for it late against 0:10:50.023 --> 0:10:52.343 the Green Bay Packers. I think it wasn't just the 0:10:52.423 --> 0:10:54.623 Lions being the Lions, it was them being scared of 0:10:54.703 --> 0:10:58.103 Jordan Love, you know, because he's shown consistently that he's 0:10:58.103 --> 0:11:00.503 got a ton of weapons. Romeo Doves comes out of 0:11:00.503 --> 0:11:03.743 witness protection to catch two touchdowns. You know, after a 0:11:03.863 --> 0:11:06.903 quiet game eight and Reid heats up, Tucker Kraft can 0:11:06.943 --> 0:11:09.463 get going, Christian Watson, they have so many options in 0:11:09.503 --> 0:11:11.983 that passing game. I love the diversity and oh by 0:11:11.983 --> 0:11:14.743 the way, Josh Jacobs contend to rise you for the 0:11:14.743 --> 0:11:17.063 first half of a game like he did on Sunday too, 0:11:17.183 --> 0:11:20.343 so you know it was a strong performance. They beat 0:11:20.343 --> 0:11:22.983 a good Seattle team in Seattle and really sent a 0:11:23.023 --> 0:11:25.623 message that even though they haven't beaten those top teams 0:11:25.623 --> 0:11:28.423 this year, they are absolutely capable of doing so if 0:11:28.423 --> 0:11:31.143 they convert one or two more possessions in those outings. 0:11:31.543 --> 0:11:33.023 Yeah, all right, we got a little bit more to 0:11:33.063 --> 0:11:35.663 come here on NFL Power rankings. In fact, there's one 0:11:35.743 --> 0:11:39.183 team that we thought were giants heading into the season. 0:11:39.463 --> 0:11:42.303 Not the Giants, the Houston Texans is who I'm talking about. 0:11:42.383 --> 0:11:44.623 Eric doesn't have him in the top ten. He explains 0:11:44.663 --> 0:11:53.583 why coming up next back here on power rankings. As 0:11:53.583 --> 0:11:56.543 we take a look at Eric's teams nine through sixteen, 0:11:56.623 --> 0:11:59.823 the Broncos one four straight. They're outscoring their opponents one 0:11:59.943 --> 0:12:03.703 thirty nine to seventy during that span. Commanders sit at 0:12:03.783 --> 0:12:07.463 number ten and y'ill wright against the Saints at eleven. 0:12:07.503 --> 0:12:11.343 It's Houston Texans who clinched the AFC South. The Bucks 0:12:11.463 --> 0:12:13.943 real dangerous will dive in on them in just a moment. 0:12:13.983 --> 0:12:17.663 The Chargers at thirteen with that high powered defense. The Rams, 0:12:17.703 --> 0:12:21.303 speaking of dangerous teams, sitting in the fourteenth position, got 0:12:21.303 --> 0:12:23.903 an opportunity to go and win that division currently at 0:12:23.943 --> 0:12:27.103 the top occupied by the Seahawks, where the fifteenth ranked 0:12:27.143 --> 0:12:29.183 team and the Cardinals figure out a way to get 0:12:29.183 --> 0:12:32.063 a victory are at sixteen. All right, let's focus in 0:12:32.103 --> 0:12:33.903 on this Broncos team. You know, the side of a 0:12:33.943 --> 0:12:36.063 good team, Eric is sometimes when you have some issues 0:12:36.063 --> 0:12:38.223 and some mistakes, you still figure out a way to 0:12:38.303 --> 0:12:41.983 get it done. Bonix obviously had a costly interception in 0:12:42.023 --> 0:12:43.623 that game, and I thought it was going to sort 0:12:43.663 --> 0:12:49.103 of result in potentially a loss. Resilient makeup of this squad, 0:12:49.303 --> 0:12:53.023 how high are you right now on this Denver team? 0:12:53.103 --> 0:12:55.463 Yeah, Nix's play has concerned me a little bit, right 0:12:55.503 --> 0:12:57.943 The turnovers have gone up, and you know, some of 0:12:57.983 --> 0:13:01.983 the sort of pre play that he's had lately, it's 0:13:01.983 --> 0:13:03.583 been a little loose and not the same kind of 0:13:03.623 --> 0:13:05.423 level that we saw earlier in the system when he 0:13:05.503 --> 0:13:07.983 was playing within the confines of the offense a lot more. 0:13:08.063 --> 0:13:11.063 But still, you have a defense that can create turnovers 0:13:11.103 --> 0:13:13.783 the way Denver can. That's gonna help you a lot too. 0:13:13.823 --> 0:13:16.223 They're still figuring out the run game. You know, I 0:13:16.223 --> 0:13:19.063 don't know if there's another receiver they truly trust outside 0:13:19.103 --> 0:13:21.903 of Courtland Sutton, but we'll see they're plucky there. Well. 0:13:21.943 --> 0:13:24.143 Coach too, Sean Payton has done a good job and 0:13:24.423 --> 0:13:26.983 kind of managing Nixes up into ups and downs a 0:13:27.023 --> 0:13:29.663 little bit. But yeah, I mean this was a desperate 0:13:29.663 --> 0:13:31.343 Colts team they faced on Sunday. 0:13:31.423 --> 0:13:32.543 It wasn't pretty early. 0:13:32.823 --> 0:13:35.063 The Colts had their opportunities to open up the game, 0:13:35.063 --> 0:13:37.303 but Denver hung in there and then had the big 0:13:37.303 --> 0:13:38.983 fourth quarter to kind of put it away. Still a 0:13:38.983 --> 0:13:41.903 little shaky for me, but big matchup coming up with 0:13:41.943 --> 0:13:45.583 the Chargers in two weeks and that'll obviously help decide 0:13:45.583 --> 0:13:48.063 positioning a lot in that AFC wildcard picture. 0:13:48.383 --> 0:13:50.263 I'm actually glad that you brought up Sean Payton. We've 0:13:50.263 --> 0:13:53.983 been having some conversations in our hallways here at NFL Media, 0:13:54.023 --> 0:13:57.103 and look, my Tomlins name pops up for Coach of 0:13:57.143 --> 0:13:59.743 the Year. I've thrown out O'Connor, but I think Sean 0:13:59.743 --> 0:14:01.943 Payton deserves to be in that mix. In fact, I 0:14:01.943 --> 0:14:05.143 would maybe even argue it's O'Connor, the Peyton and then 0:14:05.143 --> 0:14:06.783 the Tomlin. But we still got a couple weeks of 0:14:06.823 --> 0:14:09.903 the season to see how it shakes out. The Commanders 0:14:09.903 --> 0:14:11.663 sitting at number ten, they move up one spot. They 0:14:11.663 --> 0:14:15.143 get Philadelphia coming up this week. I was amazed by 0:14:15.183 --> 0:14:17.183 this stat, Eric, because we always talk about teams coming 0:14:17.223 --> 0:14:19.543 off of a bye. It was the Commander's first road 0:14:19.543 --> 0:14:23.223 win coming off a bye since two thousand and two. Boy, 0:14:23.303 --> 0:14:26.263 what a time to go and pick up a win. Here. 0:14:26.543 --> 0:14:28.063 To me, it was just nice to see this team 0:14:28.183 --> 0:14:31.103 get a w and maybe put themselves at least back 0:14:31.103 --> 0:14:34.263 in that conversation for a team that maybe could make 0:14:34.463 --> 0:14:36.903 a run. Maybe possibly, I don't. 0:14:36.743 --> 0:14:40.423 Know, maybe yeah, maybe. Obviously, Jade Dale is a dangerous guy. 0:14:40.503 --> 0:14:41.023 We saw that. 0:14:41.103 --> 0:14:44.263 I mean, obviously he's kind of rediscovered as scrambling a 0:14:44.303 --> 0:14:46.983 little bit, made some big throws, was accurate, but the 0:14:47.103 --> 0:14:47.863 Sacks really. 0:14:47.823 --> 0:14:48.623 Kept adding up. 0:14:49.103 --> 0:14:51.503 And after they got up you know, seventeen nothing or 0:14:51.543 --> 0:14:53.863 whatever it was, they took their foot off the gas. 0:14:53.863 --> 0:14:56.663 The Saints crawled back in it find a way, you know, 0:14:56.703 --> 0:14:59.183 with a backup court. They're really their third street quarterback 0:14:59.423 --> 0:15:02.663 in Spencer Rattler, and Washington was fortunate to get out 0:15:02.663 --> 0:15:04.423 of New Orleans with a win. Obviously, came down to 0:15:04.463 --> 0:15:06.943 that two point conversion at the end. You like the 0:15:06.983 --> 0:15:09.623 fact that defense made a game changing play there. 0:15:10.223 --> 0:15:11.263 You know, I moved them up. 0:15:11.383 --> 0:15:13.423 We've got the game against the Eagles that'll tell us 0:15:13.423 --> 0:15:16.143 a lot about them. That's obviously sort of a telltale 0:15:16.223 --> 0:15:18.543 game for them, and you know, do they stack up. 0:15:18.543 --> 0:15:21.023 We were playing tough teams, tough earlier in the season, 0:15:21.463 --> 0:15:24.143 but now as we get a little later, their shine. 0:15:23.943 --> 0:15:25.223 Is kind of rubbed off a little bit. 0:15:25.263 --> 0:15:27.903 We'd love to see a little stronger, cleaner performance against 0:15:27.943 --> 0:15:29.223 one of the best teams in football. 0:15:29.663 --> 0:15:31.943 I thought there was an opportunity that you might slot 0:15:31.943 --> 0:15:35.263 the Houston Texans into the tenth place. Look, they're eleven, 0:15:35.383 --> 0:15:37.383 so we're not talking about a huge jump here. There's 0:15:37.423 --> 0:15:39.903 just something in my mind that is cool when you 0:15:39.943 --> 0:15:41.903 can say, hey, we're a top ten team. They're on 0:15:41.903 --> 0:15:45.143 the precipice of that. They create three turnovers in terms 0:15:45.143 --> 0:15:47.903 of in the form of interceptions against a to a 0:15:47.983 --> 0:15:51.583 squad that needed a win. Houston needed to win as well. 0:15:51.623 --> 0:15:53.983 They get Kansas City and ice barometer game. Hopefully Mahomes 0:15:54.023 --> 0:15:58.023 goes and plays here. What do you make of the squad? 0:15:59.503 --> 0:16:01.263 Yeah, I mean they haven't been able to get Joe 0:16:01.343 --> 0:16:02.463 Mixon going lately. 0:16:02.543 --> 0:16:05.903 Obviously, you know Nico Collins and great in the red zone, 0:16:05.903 --> 0:16:08.543 but just the drives were not there. They had to 0:16:08.543 --> 0:16:10.943 rely on each of those four turnovers, three picks and 0:16:10.983 --> 0:16:14.103 one fumble, the big strip sack there that I think 0:16:14.183 --> 0:16:16.303 kind of change momentum a little bit in that game. 0:16:16.703 --> 0:16:18.823 You know, those were crucial. I don't know if they 0:16:18.903 --> 0:16:21.183 win if they only get two or three. Let's say, 0:16:21.343 --> 0:16:25.423 and that fake punt two Dariu Gunbawally gets down there 0:16:25.423 --> 0:16:27.583 in the red zone, almost fumbles, they fall on it, 0:16:27.783 --> 0:16:30.023 there's a penalty. You know, they keep the ball and 0:16:30.343 --> 0:16:32.503 score after that to go up twenty to six. So 0:16:32.903 --> 0:16:34.983 you know, it really took a lot of good field 0:16:35.023 --> 0:16:38.823 position and you know, stealing possessions for them to score points. 0:16:38.863 --> 0:16:40.903 So I am a little bit worried about that offense, 0:16:41.023 --> 0:16:43.303 but you know, it's nice when you can be efficient. 0:16:43.503 --> 0:16:46.063 When the defense does give you those opportunities, you convert 0:16:46.103 --> 0:16:49.503 them into touchdowns and put in desperate teams like Miami away. 0:16:50.623 --> 0:16:53.343 I am excited to hear your take on the Tampa 0:16:53.383 --> 0:16:55.743 Bay Buccaneers, who you have at twelve. It wasn't just 0:16:55.783 --> 0:16:58.703 a win, it was a dominant performance against one of 0:16:58.703 --> 0:17:00.423 the teams that we felt for a good stretch of 0:17:00.423 --> 0:17:03.303 the season was as dangerous as any in the AFC. 0:17:03.503 --> 0:17:06.703 And that's the Chargers throw up forty points against a 0:17:06.743 --> 0:17:11.183 defense that I felt great about this season. How dangerous 0:17:11.423 --> 0:17:12.583 is this team? 0:17:13.303 --> 0:17:15.663 Yeah, they can turn it on fast, right, And we've 0:17:15.663 --> 0:17:17.983 seen Baker Makefield have some first hats where he gets 0:17:17.983 --> 0:17:20.623 in a little trouble or throw some interceptions and you know, 0:17:20.663 --> 0:17:22.343 things are a little chaotic, and then all of a 0:17:22.383 --> 0:17:24.783 sudden he dials in. He made that one post throw 0:17:24.863 --> 0:17:27.583 to Mike Evans the Agels. Mike Evans looks like he 0:17:27.623 --> 0:17:30.423 could get that other that thousand yard season yet another 0:17:30.463 --> 0:17:34.423 one incredible consistency throughout his career. He's fully back from 0:17:34.463 --> 0:17:37.823 the injury making a difference. You know, Jalen McMillan has 0:17:37.863 --> 0:17:41.183