WEBVTT - #14: How concerning are Eagles & Bills situations? 0:00:04.743 --> 0:00:07.343 NFL Power Rankings is a production of the NFL in 0:00:07.423 --> 0:00:08.943 partnership with iHeartRadio. 0:00:11.423 --> 0:00:14.263 Welcome to a brand new edition of NFL Power Rankings. 0:00:14.343 --> 0:00:16.143 Mike Am and Eric at home with you. 0:00:16.223 --> 0:00:16.783 If you want a. 0:00:16.743 --> 0:00:19.743 Complete list of all thirty two teams and analysis, all 0:00:19.823 --> 0:00:22.583 you have to do is check out NFL dot com. 0:00:22.823 --> 0:00:22.983 Eric. 0:00:23.023 --> 0:00:25.743 I thought one of the more fascinating ideas from your 0:00:25.823 --> 0:00:29.423 recent post is how margin of victory really plays a factor. 0:00:29.463 --> 0:00:31.903 Apparently for you one score games, that is a major 0:00:31.943 --> 0:00:33.463 factor in determining the rankings. 0:00:34.183 --> 0:00:36.343 Yeah, it is. The idea being, Look, if you're in 0:00:36.383 --> 0:00:38.343 a lot of close games and you know, sort of 0:00:38.343 --> 0:00:41.623 lose more than you normally would win your overall win percentage, 0:00:41.663 --> 0:00:44.263 maybe you're a better team than your record indicates. Likewise, 0:00:44.303 --> 0:00:47.063 if you're winning all in one score games like the 0:00:47.143 --> 0:00:50.503 Chiefs ten and oh this season, perhaps it's indicative that 0:00:50.543 --> 0:00:53.103 you're overachieving a little bit. So I tried to use 0:00:53.143 --> 0:00:55.503 that to kind of separate what I think is really 0:00:55.543 --> 0:00:57.463 the cream of the crop, my top eight. Those are 0:00:57.503 --> 0:00:59.463 the groups the teams that I think are most prepared 0:00:59.463 --> 0:01:00.183 to win the Super Bowl. 0:01:00.263 --> 0:01:01.863 Right now, all right, you mentioned the top eight. 0:01:01.943 --> 0:01:04.623 Let's get to the rankings right now, and the number 0:01:04.663 --> 0:01:08.263 number one team still the Detroit Lions, and no reason 0:01:08.343 --> 0:01:10.663 to drop him considering how they're winning some of these 0:01:10.703 --> 0:01:12.943 ball games. At number two, it's the Eagles, nine straight 0:01:12.983 --> 0:01:15.823 wins and somehow of what an upset to Carolina. We'll 0:01:15.823 --> 0:01:17.583 see if that's a red flag for Eric coming up 0:01:17.623 --> 0:01:19.623 in just a minute. The Chiefs at number three, a 0:01:19.743 --> 0:01:24.503 dooink and another one possession win, four six total touchdowns 0:01:24.743 --> 0:01:27.423 for Josh Allen and the Bills, but a close loss 0:01:27.463 --> 0:01:30.303 to the Rams. The Vikings, Darnold, how about leading this 0:01:30.303 --> 0:01:32.383 team eleven to two for the first time since two 0:01:32.463 --> 0:01:36.143 thousand and nine. The Steelers are six, the Packers at seven, 0:01:36.183 --> 0:01:37.623 and the Ravens. 0:01:37.103 --> 0:01:38.543 Are at number eight. 0:01:39.183 --> 0:01:42.783 The team that starts the show is the Detroit Lions, 0:01:42.943 --> 0:01:43.463 number one. 0:01:43.503 --> 0:01:43.703 Here. 0:01:43.823 --> 0:01:46.903 I love how Dan Campbell sometimes roll the dice here 0:01:46.943 --> 0:01:48.503 and they'll go for it on fourth down. The fact 0:01:48.503 --> 0:01:50.703 that they were able to score two touchdowns on a 0:01:50.743 --> 0:01:53.703 fourth down I absolutely love to me, Eric, there's a 0:01:53.743 --> 0:01:55.383 reason why you have them as the number one team. 0:01:55.463 --> 0:01:56.303 They're showing they. 0:01:56.223 --> 0:02:00.663 Are absolutely Mike. And you know, some people will say, hey, 0:02:00.703 --> 0:02:02.903 they won by a field goal. Here, they won by 0:02:02.903 --> 0:02:05.063 a field goal on Thanksgiving. What's the difference? I felt 0:02:05.063 --> 0:02:07.143 like this was a a better opponent and be just 0:02:07.183 --> 0:02:10.103 a better game. You know, they're decimated on defense, They're 0:02:10.103 --> 0:02:12.583 hanging in there as best they can on that side 0:02:12.583 --> 0:02:14.743 of the ball. We know what the offense can do 0:02:14.823 --> 0:02:17.463 even when the run game isn't flourishing. I mean, they 0:02:17.503 --> 0:02:20.063 have ways to beat you, so many different directions they 0:02:20.103 --> 0:02:22.863 can go. But also a big night on special teams too. 0:02:22.943 --> 0:02:25.623 So it really kind of emphasized not only the three 0:02:25.703 --> 0:02:28.303 phase element of this team, so well built from top 0:02:28.343 --> 0:02:31.343 to bottom, but also that aggressiveness. It cost them once 0:02:31.383 --> 0:02:33.983 on four down, but they were successful four times, and 0:02:34.343 --> 0:02:36.503 that's just the formula for a champion. They're built to 0:02:36.583 --> 0:02:39.103 with stand one of those misses because the earlier hits 0:02:39.343 --> 0:02:40.463 really kind of saved them. 0:02:40.823 --> 0:02:42.863 You Know, on this show last week, I had made 0:02:42.863 --> 0:02:45.063 reference to the fact that the Eagles scored this huge 0:02:45.103 --> 0:02:47.343 win against the Baltimore Ravens. I'm hedging, Hay, are they 0:02:47.383 --> 0:02:50.063 better than the Lions or the Lions better than the Eagles? 0:02:50.063 --> 0:02:52.143 And this week in the rankings you have Philadelphia sending 0:02:52.143 --> 0:02:54.623 at number two. Now, all of a sudden, they're coming 0:02:54.623 --> 0:02:57.623 off a win a little close though against the Carolina 0:02:57.663 --> 0:03:01.143 Panthers squad. Some comments and some chatter about a lack 0:03:01.183 --> 0:03:03.343 of explosive passes. 0:03:03.303 --> 0:03:05.943 In this team's offense. Is there a red flag? 0:03:06.023 --> 0:03:08.943 Should we be concerned about what we're seeing on the field, 0:03:08.983 --> 0:03:11.423 especially early in games? Yeah? 0:03:11.543 --> 0:03:14.143 Had I known kind of the backstory of the whole 0:03:14.783 --> 0:03:18.823 AJ Brown, Jalen Hurts, tenshit if you will, I might 0:03:18.863 --> 0:03:20.623 not have moved them up a spot this week. They 0:03:20.623 --> 0:03:22.983 still belong in that top tier in the NFL, I 0:03:23.023 --> 0:03:25.703 believe until further notice, Like you said, till recently, we 0:03:25.703 --> 0:03:28.383 were talking about them as truly one of the elite teams, 0:03:28.383 --> 0:03:31.103 maybe even better than the Lions in summer guards. But yeah, 0:03:31.143 --> 0:03:33.743 there still is this hurdle they seemingly have to get 0:03:33.743 --> 0:03:36.903 over every single week where the first quarter they've been 0:03:36.943 --> 0:03:39.503 outscored I think something like fifty nine to seventeen, and 0:03:39.503 --> 0:03:41.703 they outscored their opponents by one hundred and fifty points 0:03:41.703 --> 0:03:44.703 the last three quarters. But for whatever reason, the slow 0:03:44.743 --> 0:03:47.143 starts have been a problem. AJ Brown only had four 0:03:47.183 --> 0:03:49.983 targets last week. That's got to get better. Is there 0:03:49.983 --> 0:03:52.903 a rift there between Hurts and Brown? Are they tight? 0:03:52.943 --> 0:03:54.183 Can they make this thing work? 0:03:54.583 --> 0:03:54.663 It? 0:03:54.743 --> 0:03:56.743 Does scare it because you know all the drama that 0:03:56.823 --> 0:03:59.103 existed in that locker room a year ago. But I 0:03:59.183 --> 0:04:01.703 still think, until proven otherwise, they belong near the top. 0:04:02.383 --> 0:04:04.863 Hey, by the way, this defense is bawling for as 0:04:04.943 --> 0:04:06.663 much as we want to try out, say Kwon Barkley, 0:04:06.663 --> 0:04:08.663 who could be the MVP this year, In fact, he's 0:04:08.783 --> 0:04:11.143 on the shortlist right one of three guys at least 0:04:11.143 --> 0:04:14.023 in my mind that should win that award this season. 0:04:14.663 --> 0:04:17.263 The Achilles heel last year was they couldn't stop people, 0:04:17.303 --> 0:04:19.983 especially that secondary that is flipped in a meaningful way. 0:04:20.223 --> 0:04:20.663 Eagles. 0:04:20.663 --> 0:04:22.023 I think you have them right where they should be 0:04:22.063 --> 0:04:24.423 at the number two spot, and I'm ready for some 0:04:24.463 --> 0:04:26.663 hate from Kansas City fans, who you have number three? 0:04:26.823 --> 0:04:29.183 Another one possession win. 0:04:29.383 --> 0:04:32.783 I get it. The Doink It happens when you're a 0:04:32.823 --> 0:04:33.543 good team. Eric. 0:04:33.583 --> 0:04:35.903 It feels like, no matter what the circumstances are, the 0:04:35.903 --> 0:04:37.063 ball is always going to go your way. 0:04:38.943 --> 0:04:40.703 I would love to just be able to have this 0:04:40.783 --> 0:04:43.383 kind of luck one day in my life. I do 0:04:43.423 --> 0:04:45.743 think there was less luck in this one. I understand 0:04:45.783 --> 0:04:48.063 the doink field goal, but I felt like the Chiefs 0:04:48.063 --> 0:04:50.743 at least controlled the script of this game. Better than 0:04:50.743 --> 0:04:53.343 they have in the past. Let's say the Panthers game 0:04:53.463 --> 0:04:56.223 or the Broncos or Raiders games. They made the stop 0:04:56.263 --> 0:04:59.223 on defense, put it back in Patrick Mahomes' hands. He 0:04:59.263 --> 0:05:01.983 made some magic, He moved them down the field. They 0:05:02.023 --> 0:05:05.343 intentionally ran the clock down to take that kick, you know, 0:05:05.463 --> 0:05:08.583 backup kickers. So obviously the kick itself got a little scrutiny. 0:05:08.663 --> 0:05:10.943 But you know, this team knows how to win games. 0:05:10.943 --> 0:05:13.263 They have a formula. They've been in these situations so 0:05:13.383 --> 0:05:16.463 many times. That's why they're ten to zero in these situations. 0:05:16.503 --> 0:05:19.143 And yeah, just for a little extra drama, right, they 0:05:19.143 --> 0:05:21.583 hadn't really done it to this point in the game, 0:05:21.663 --> 0:05:24.183 and they finish it off again again. I don't know 0:05:24.223 --> 0:05:26.223 when this runs out. I don't know if this is 0:05:26.263 --> 0:05:28.743 a sign that they can beat virtually anybody in a 0:05:29.103 --> 0:05:32.983 schematic battle, or if they're just gonna stop turning over 0:05:33.063 --> 0:05:35.343 aces every single time they're at the table. You know, 0:05:35.383 --> 0:05:38.343 it's gonna be fascinating. But last year proved that they 0:05:38.343 --> 0:05:41.223 can still do pretty well in the playoffs after a 0:05:41.263 --> 0:05:42.983 lot of close shapes in the regular season. 0:05:43.383 --> 0:05:45.863 By the way, we'll talk Chargers here in just a moment. 0:05:45.983 --> 0:05:49.983 I they deserve some flowers as well. More specifically, maybe 0:05:50.103 --> 0:05:53.663 justin Herbert because they're lacking some playmakers and knocking on 0:05:53.703 --> 0:05:55.783 the door here. I mean, that was an impressive run 0:05:55.823 --> 0:05:58.583 in the second half from a Los Angeles perspective. By 0:05:58.623 --> 0:06:01.023 the way, Miles Garrett, this team has been the Chiefs 0:06:01.023 --> 0:06:04.343 that is susceptible to giving up some sacks to Patrick 0:06:04.343 --> 0:06:07.943 Maha Holmes Miles Garrett awaiting them this coming week the 0:06:07.983 --> 0:06:11.983 bails awesome game shootout. Here we go Josh Allen trying 0:06:12.023 --> 0:06:14.183 to cement himself as an MVP. 0:06:15.223 --> 0:06:17.423 You did drop him a couple spots here. I hate 0:06:17.423 --> 0:06:17.943 to say it. 0:06:17.863 --> 0:06:20.383 I almost felt like I thought the Rams are gonna 0:06:20.423 --> 0:06:24.143 win this game cross country for Buffalo Bill's Mafia. I 0:06:24.183 --> 0:06:26.743 came into the studio super early on Sunday morning for 0:06:27.023 --> 0:06:29.743 our pregame show. You saw some of Bill's Mafia already 0:06:29.823 --> 0:06:33.023 showing up. It's a good win for the Rams. How 0:06:33.383 --> 0:06:36.903 much concern do you have against about this Buffalo team 0:06:37.023 --> 0:06:38.463 to lose a shootout on the road like this. 0:06:39.463 --> 0:06:42.263 Yeah, I suppose there's a certain irony about an MVP 0:06:42.423 --> 0:06:45.383 candidate Nolan helping his cause in a loss more than 0:06:45.423 --> 0:06:47.423 he maybe has in a lot of wins this year. 0:06:47.463 --> 0:06:50.943 But you know, the Buffalo defense did concern me. Allen 0:06:51.023 --> 0:06:53.583 was great. He did everything possible, you know, to dig 0:06:53.623 --> 0:06:56.343 them out of that hole. Obviously, his receivers did a 0:06:56.383 --> 0:06:58.303 lot of work after the catch too, got to give 0:06:58.343 --> 0:07:00.543 them credit. But Allen as a runner and as a 0:07:00.583 --> 0:07:04.223 passer was absolutely tremendous. And look, nobody's denying it. He's 0:07:04.263 --> 0:07:06.343 good to be the reason whether they win a super 0:07:06.343 --> 0:07:08.943 Bowl or don't win a super Bowl this year, you know, 0:07:09.063 --> 0:07:11.303 such an important piece of what they do and such 0:07:11.303 --> 0:07:14.663 a tough piece to stop. That said, if the defense 0:07:14.743 --> 0:07:18.263 isn't doing its job, we've got problems. And more often 0:07:18.263 --> 0:07:21.223 than not, they've done their job this year. But you know, 0:07:21.583 --> 0:07:24.703 in a precision passer fifteen or eleven to fifteen on 0:07:24.783 --> 0:07:27.303 third downs, I mean, Matthew Stafford was carving them up, 0:07:27.303 --> 0:07:29.543 and that is a concern for me. But this, like 0:07:29.583 --> 0:07:31.263 you said, I think this game probably meant more to 0:07:31.263 --> 0:07:32.903 the Rams than it did to the Bills. And so, 0:07:33.383 --> 0:07:35.743 you know, two spots seems like a lot I still 0:07:35.743 --> 0:07:37.343 have near the top, and I think they can even 0:07:37.343 --> 0:07:38.623 be a number one team by the end of the 0:07:38.663 --> 0:07:39.343 regular season. 0:07:39.703 --> 0:07:41.583 Only thing, and I'd love to get your take very 0:07:41.623 --> 0:07:44.063 quickly on this. The Bills on the road. People are 0:07:44.063 --> 0:07:46.583 talking about, hey, do they need home field advantage in 0:07:46.623 --> 0:07:49.223 the postseason. I would contend that they do, even though 0:07:49.303 --> 0:07:52.503 some others might say no. At Houston, at Baltimore, at 0:07:52.503 --> 0:07:55.703 the Rams. They're losing some road games against good teams. 0:07:55.703 --> 0:07:57.623 We'll get a good test against obviously the Lions because 0:07:57.623 --> 0:08:00.863 that's road game this coming week. But I think there's 0:08:00.863 --> 0:08:03.383 some pressure here on Josh Allen and this team to 0:08:03.463 --> 0:08:05.223 try to do their best year. It's a little out 0:08:05.223 --> 0:08:07.383 of their hands because the Kansas City's run, But I 0:08:07.383 --> 0:08:08.583 think Buffalo needs home field. 0:08:09.983 --> 0:08:12.663 Yeah right, Obviously it does hurt them the loss from 0:08:12.663 --> 0:08:15.143 that standpoint, and Kansas City does have that big lead 0:08:15.183 --> 0:08:17.343 at this point, even with the Buffalo winning the head 0:08:17.343 --> 0:08:19.343 to head game, so got to keep trying. Got to 0:08:19.343 --> 0:08:21.783 see if you can steal it from them down the stretch. 0:08:22.423 --> 0:08:24.303 I love that you have the Vikings at number five. 0:08:24.463 --> 0:08:27.143 Are they the team that we talked the least amount 0:08:27.223 --> 0:08:29.823 that we should be talking way more about? 0:08:30.743 --> 0:08:33.463 Their record suggests so, doesn't it. I mean, look eleven 0:08:33.503 --> 0:08:35.423 and two, you can't really argue with what they've done 0:08:35.463 --> 0:08:37.063 on the field. Kind of like we're talking about with 0:08:37.103 --> 0:08:40.423 the Chiefs, or maybe it's memories of two years ago 0:08:40.463 --> 0:08:43.343 the twenty twenty two Vikings who went thirteen and four 0:08:43.623 --> 0:08:46.383 but had a negative point differential. I think this team 0:08:46.423 --> 0:08:49.303 has been more impressive in how it's won games. Yes, 0:08:49.343 --> 0:08:52.263 there have been some close ones. Chicago a few weeks 0:08:52.303 --> 0:08:55.143 back obviously got a little bit lucky. There some other 0:08:55.223 --> 0:08:59.423 games too that got away from them earlier in this season, 0:08:59.543 --> 0:09:02.423 like the Lions game. But still, the way Sam Darnold 0:09:02.463 --> 0:09:04.983 is playing now, I think the narrative has changed him. 0:09:05.023 --> 0:09:08.303 It's no longer can they win with him? It's is 0:09:08.303 --> 0:09:11.143 this guy even a dark horse MVP candidate this point? 0:09:11.223 --> 0:09:14.103 Top five in passing yards, passing touchdowns, has really been 0:09:14.143 --> 0:09:17.703 on a heater lately. Done the job. I few hiccups 0:09:17.743 --> 0:09:19.383 early in the season, but I don't have as many 0:09:19.423 --> 0:09:22.383 doubts now. And boy, do the Vikings just let him 0:09:22.423 --> 0:09:24.663 walk in the offseason. I guess that's a discussion for 0:09:24.703 --> 0:09:27.023 down the road. But he's playing at a super high 0:09:27.103 --> 0:09:30.343 level on that Vikings defense did enough against Kirk Cousins 0:09:30.343 --> 0:09:33.103 old friend there in Minnesota to get the win. 0:09:33.783 --> 0:09:36.063 Six straight wins for this team after suffering back to 0:09:36.103 --> 0:09:38.303 back losses where we started to doubt and say. 0:09:38.143 --> 0:09:41.343 Hey, yeah, this is the team that we expected. Well, 0:09:41.383 --> 0:09:43.183 guess what. They continue to win some of these games. 0:09:43.303 --> 0:09:47.543 Donald five passing touchdowns in the win against Atlanta and 0:09:47.583 --> 0:09:51.143 you start thinking, didn't they draft a quarterback? And JJ McCarthy, 0:09:51.223 --> 0:09:53.943 You're right, there's gonna be some interesting decisions that organization 0:09:54.343 --> 0:09:56.143 is going to have to make with regard to him. 0:09:56.463 --> 0:10:00.783 Vikings certainly a team worthy of conversation. Steelers also in 0:10:00.823 --> 0:10:03.983 the mix style of play from Mike Tomlins squad Eric 0:10:04.703 --> 0:10:07.303 does that make them arguably the most dangerous team in 0:10:07.343 --> 0:10:08.743 the AFC because of how they play? 0:10:10.023 --> 0:10:12.463 Yeah? I keep getting these questions. I go on radio shows, 0:10:12.463 --> 0:10:14.103 Mike and people say, you know, are the Steelers a 0:10:14.183 --> 0:10:16.103 legit Super Bowl contender? And I feel like it's a 0:10:16.103 --> 0:10:18.503 bit of an odd question. My answer is always why 0:10:18.543 --> 0:10:21.063 the heck not? Right? I mean, they've got an outstanding defense. 0:10:22.063 --> 0:10:24.183 You know, a couple of defensive Player of the Year 0:10:24.223 --> 0:10:27.583 award candidates in TJ. Watt and Cameron Hayward. He's having 0:10:27.583 --> 0:10:30.743 an amazing season almost thirty six years old. So you 0:10:30.783 --> 0:10:32.703 know what they do on that side of the ball, 0:10:32.863 --> 0:10:34.943 They're going to take care of business. More often than not. 0:10:35.503 --> 0:10:37.943 The offense has shown signs that they can cook on 0:10:37.983 --> 0:10:40.543 their best days, maybe a little hot and cold at times. 0:10:40.903 --> 0:10:43.583 Special teams have been outstanding. Chris Boswell and the rest 0:10:43.583 --> 0:10:46.623 of that unit has been terrific this season. So another 0:10:46.783 --> 0:10:49.583 kind of three phase operation that I think, you know, 0:10:49.663 --> 0:10:51.703 makes it tough on people. Yeah, they lost at home 0:10:51.743 --> 0:10:54.503 to Dallas. Yes, they've had other hiccups this season that maybe, 0:10:54.623 --> 0:10:56.583 you know, cast some negative light on them. But I 0:10:56.623 --> 0:10:58.783 also feel like, you know, they could beat the Ravens 0:10:58.783 --> 0:11:01.023 head to head, they could beat some tough teams. They 0:11:01.023 --> 0:11:03.623 could take away some of your best weapons. So you know, 0:11:03.663 --> 0:11:06.983 we saw it again on Sunday and you know they're cooking. 0:11:07.463 --> 0:11:09.863 Yeah, I don't know if I would want to match 0:11:09.943 --> 0:11:11.503 up against them. They remind me a little bit of 0:11:11.543 --> 0:11:14.143 the Chargers because of what they do defensively, but they 0:11:14.183 --> 0:11:17.023 got better pieces of the offensive side right now than 0:11:17.263 --> 0:11:20.183 Justin Herbert is working with on that roster. But speaking 0:11:20.183 --> 0:11:21.863 of the Chargers, we just suck you through those Tier 0:11:21.903 --> 0:11:24.503 one teams. The Chargers, the Rams, the Bucks, the Seahawks 0:11:24.543 --> 0:11:26.543 all come to mind as tier two squads. 0:11:26.703 --> 0:11:27.383 What about their. 0:11:27.303 --> 0:11:30.023 Postseason hopes and what they can do once they get 0:11:30.063 --> 0:11:37.063 to the playoffs. Answer, it's coming up next on power rankings. 0:11:38.383 --> 0:11:40.583 Back here on power rankings, Mike, am and Eric at 0:11:40.583 --> 0:11:43.983 home with you. Teams nine through sixteen. The Chargers sitting 0:11:44.023 --> 0:11:46.423 in the ninth spot, almost to win in Kansas City. 0:11:46.623 --> 0:11:50.303 Team's coming off of a bye, Broncos, Commanders, and Texans 0:11:50.383 --> 0:11:52.983 they're ten, eleven and twelve. At thirteen, it's the Seahawks 0:11:53.063 --> 0:11:55.863 they're four and oh since thereby, how about the Buccaneers 0:11:55.863 --> 0:11:59.223 at fourteen a win at first place in the NFC South. 0:11:59.263 --> 0:12:00.983 The Rams scored that important. 0:12:00.623 --> 0:12:03.903 Win at home against the Bills, and at sixteen the 0:12:03.943 --> 0:12:06.383 Cardinals now spiraling out of control. 0:12:06.623 --> 0:12:08.983 Let's focus in on this Chargers team at number nine. 0:12:09.063 --> 0:12:09.863 I kind of wanted to. 0:12:09.943 --> 0:12:11.903 It's not that I was rooting for or against the team, 0:12:11.943 --> 0:12:14.023 but there's a part of me that wanted them to win, 0:12:14.103 --> 0:12:17.023 to show people like, hey, we can score win against 0:12:17.183 --> 0:12:19.183 a winning ball club. It was going to be a 0:12:19.223 --> 0:12:21.823 tough task. A lot of inter concerns, especially at the 0:12:21.823 --> 0:12:24.423 playmaker spot. We didn't seelat mcconkeye out there. That obviously 0:12:24.463 --> 0:12:27.103 was an issue. Well, Disley gets banged up in that game. 0:12:27.623 --> 0:12:31.383 I'm still giving them some respect for an almost win 0:12:31.583 --> 0:12:32.503 against the Chiefs. 0:12:34.063 --> 0:12:36.983 Absolutely fall behind against the Chiefs and narrowhead. I don't 0:12:37.023 --> 0:12:38.663 care what kind of season they're having or how many 0:12:38.663 --> 0:12:41.303 close games they're playing, that's a tough environment to deal with. 0:12:41.463 --> 0:12:43.463 They lost a close one earlier in the season to 0:12:43.503 --> 0:12:45.223 the Chiefs. They know how that one played out. But 0:12:45.583 --> 0:12:48.303 they really got things going after a certain point, especially 0:12:48.343 --> 0:12:50.823 without a major run game early. I mean, they found 0:12:50.823 --> 0:12:53.023 ways to move the ball down the field. At back, 0:12:53.063 --> 0:12:55.423 Quinton Johnston had a really nice game. You know, we've 0:12:55.423 --> 0:12:59.343 seen some inconsistencies from him, but Joshua Palmer stepping up 0:12:59.423 --> 0:13:02.383 stone smart. How about him? He looked like a pretty 0:13:02.423 --> 0:13:05.703 good looking tight end there after some injuries at the position. 0:13:05.863 --> 0:13:09.983 So again, I mean, they've been hurt by losing guys offensively, 0:13:10.503 --> 0:13:13.183 defensively giving up big pass plays. But they held tight 0:13:13.183 --> 0:13:15.423 in this game, and we're just a few plays short. 0:13:15.583 --> 0:13:17.543 Like you said, they still need that kind of big 0:13:17.623 --> 0:13:20.343 signature win to sort of prove they belong in that 0:13:20.423 --> 0:13:22.543 upper tier. That's why they sit just outside of my 0:13:23.023 --> 0:13:23.903 top eight right now. 0:13:24.303 --> 0:13:27.823 Eleven consecutive games now for Justin Herbert without the interception, 0:13:28.023 --> 0:13:31.183 to me, certainly one of the more impressive quarterbacks, and 0:13:31.303 --> 0:13:33.663 once again, I just look around that feel when I 0:13:33.663 --> 0:13:36.023 see them play, I go, where's the playmaker here? Like, 0:13:36.063 --> 0:13:38.383 who's the difference maker on this team's offense? And they 0:13:38.383 --> 0:13:40.663 don't have it just yet. I say that to say 0:13:40.703 --> 0:13:43.343 good things are to come here for Harbaugh's squad over 0:13:43.383 --> 0:13:46.423 the next couple seasons or so. Closer look at the 0:13:46.463 --> 0:13:49.863 team's favored to go and win the NFC West. The 0:13:49.903 --> 0:13:52.183 Seahawks not a surprise here sitting at the top, the 0:13:52.263 --> 0:13:54.263 Rams just behind them, the Cardinals. 0:13:54.303 --> 0:13:55.343 I don't know what's going on with. 0:13:55.303 --> 0:13:58.543 This squad and the San Francisco forty nine ers not 0:13:58.623 --> 0:14:01.263 sticking a fork in them just yet. Coming off of 0:14:01.303 --> 0:14:04.183 a win, a dominant win against the Bears. All right, 0:14:04.223 --> 0:14:08.063 number three team, it is the Seahawks. They're winning games. 0:14:08.223 --> 0:14:09.983 I think I started to doubt them a little bit. 0:14:10.023 --> 0:14:11.343 I know they came off to a fast start, then 0:14:11.383 --> 0:14:14.143 they started to lose. It's like a team of streaks 0:14:14.143 --> 0:14:17.823 and runs. But because of what the division is right now, Eric, 0:14:18.063 --> 0:14:20.263 can't you just make the claim like they're the team 0:14:20.303 --> 0:14:21.663 to be at this point. 0:14:22.663 --> 0:14:24.783 They're in the pole position right now. The Rams will 0:14:24.823 --> 0:14:27.423 obviously have something to say about it. You know, maybe 0:14:27.463 --> 0:14:30.983 the forty nine ers or Cardinals can kind of rediscover 0:14:31.063 --> 0:14:33.343 their previous form. Forty nine ers look pretty good Sunday, 0:14:33.343 --> 0:14:35.543 but still, I mean, right now, the way things are 0:14:35.543 --> 0:14:37.583 lined up, they're in a terrific position to claim this 0:14:37.623 --> 0:14:40.343 division of Mike McDonald's first year, which you know, after 0:14:40.343 --> 0:14:42.423 the three and zero start, okay, it made some sense, 0:14:42.463 --> 0:14:44.543 but after they lost that slew of games there and 0:14:44.583 --> 0:14:47.183 really put themselves behind the eight ball, you weren't too 0:14:47.303 --> 0:14:51.063 sure Sunday. No, Kenneth Walkers, Zach Sharbonney steps up in 0:14:51.103 --> 0:14:53.983 a big way. Gino Smith's you know, interceptions, we're getting 0:14:53.983 --> 0:14:55.863 out of control at one point. He's now had a 0:14:55.863 --> 0:14:57.943 couple of games where he's really taken care of the ball. 0:14:58.183 --> 0:15:00.063 The defense has done its job. So this has been 0:15:00.063 --> 0:15:01.823 a total team effort. Mike, and I really like what 0:15:01.863 --> 0:15:04.263 I'm seeing more of kind of what we saw were 0:15:04.303 --> 0:15:07.583 in this and against an earlier easier schedule, I should say, 0:15:08.103 --> 0:15:11.023 and less with the struggles that they really endured through 0:15:11.023 --> 0:15:13.823 the kind of the second quarter of the season, if 0:15:13.823 --> 0:15:14.183 you will. 0:15:14.543 --> 0:15:16.703 Yeah, I don't want to say it's a prove it week, 0:15:16.783 --> 0:15:19.223 but I think I'd have less doubts if they can 0:15:19.263 --> 0:15:21.423 win on Sunday Night football against Green Bay. I don't 0:15:21.463 --> 0:15:23.943 have something in my mind that says, hey, is this 0:15:24.103 --> 0:15:26.223 totally believable right now with the. 0:15:26.143 --> 0:15:27.743 Seahawks still hold Yeah. 0:15:27.823 --> 0:15:30.023 Yeah, maybe it's just the state of the division, to 0:15:30.023 --> 0:15:32.943 be honest with you, because it hasn't been and it 0:15:32.983 --> 0:15:34.583 just hasn't been fun to watch at times. We'll talk 0:15:34.583 --> 0:15:36.623 about the Rams in just a moment, but at fourteen, 0:15:37.023 --> 0:15:39.263 it is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Don't look now, it 0:15:39.303 --> 0:15:41.983 doesn't matter if there's injuries, it doesn't matter if there's losses. 0:15:42.343 --> 0:15:45.023 They figure out a way to try to get that 0:15:45.063 --> 0:15:48.343 pole position as you just described in that division. Look 0:15:48.383 --> 0:15:50.223 at the rest of the teams that are there, and 0:15:50.263 --> 0:15:52.463 I say this is theirs to take right now because 0:15:52.503 --> 0:15:55.063 of Baker Mayfield and maybe they're getting a little bit healthier. 0:15:56.663 --> 0:15:58.943 Yeah, and because of what Atlanta's doing too. We can't 0:15:58.943 --> 0:16:00.743 ignore that fact they were six and three with a 0:16:00.823 --> 0:16:03.543 season sweep over the box that look like Atlanta's division. 0:16:03.903 --> 0:16:05.983 Tampa has come in and kind of claim this thing 0:16:06.023 --> 0:16:08.103 a little bit, and you know, Baker Mayfield, you do 0:16:08.183 --> 0:16:09.863 have to kind of ride the ups and downs a 0:16:09.903 --> 0:16:13.263 little bit. Had two kind of strange interceptions, one right 0:16:13.263 --> 0:16:15.623 in front of his face, and you know, it sort 0:16:15.623 --> 0:16:17.343 of put them in a little bit of a tough spot. 0:16:17.343 --> 0:16:19.623 But this was the Raiders. They did take care of business. 0:16:19.623 --> 0:16:22.863 They did find a groove. Jalen McMillan scored twice, his 0:16:22.863 --> 0:16:25.583 first touchdown since week one, so that was a pretty 0:16:25.583 --> 0:16:27.863 good sign, and they put them away late. So you know, 0:16:27.983 --> 0:16:29.543 kind of like what you were saying a little bit. 0:16:29.583 --> 0:16:31.743 With the Seahawks, there's something that just sort of holds 0:16:31.783 --> 0:16:34.383 me back, but there is a really good competitive spirit. 0:16:34.743 --> 0:16:36.623 And now they have their Hall of Fame receiver back, 0:16:36.703 --> 0:16:39.423 Mike Evans Mayfield. They've got a chance, they really do, 0:16:39.583 --> 0:16:41.943 and they're looking good for home playoff game as the 0:16:42.023 --> 0:16:45.663 NFC South potential Division champs. At this point, I. 0:16:45.623 --> 0:16:47.983 Like that phrase competitive spirit because we're trying to figure 0:16:47.983 --> 0:16:50.703 out why I'm still kind of on the bandwagon, and 0:16:50.743 --> 0:16:52.583 I think you hit the nail on the head because 0:16:52.623 --> 0:16:55.343 even one day's Godwin and Evans, that goes down Bakers 0:16:55.383 --> 0:16:56.903 and I know they lost some of those games, but 0:16:56.903 --> 0:16:59.263 they're staying in it. There is something about that Baker 0:16:59.303 --> 0:17:03.023 effect that has me believing just this much that when 0:17:03.263 --> 0:17:04.983 or if they get to the postseason, and they can 0:17:05.023 --> 0:17:08.183 potentially come up with a knocking out one of these 0:17:08.183 --> 0:17:11.143 other squads, the Rams. I've been high on this team 0:17:11.263 --> 0:17:13.183 for most of the season. Coming into the year, I 0:17:13.183 --> 0:17:14.583 thought they had as good of a chance to win 0:17:14.623 --> 0:17:18.463 the division as any injury issues, massive injury issues. For 0:17:18.503 --> 0:17:21.383 the first half of the season, They're hanging tough here. 0:17:21.703 --> 0:17:25.703