WEBVTT - #11: Did Steelers get lucky vs. Ravens? 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. 0:00:11.063 --> 0:00:13.743 Welcome to a brand new edition of NFL Power Rankings. 0:00:13.783 --> 0:00:16.543 Mike yam along with the man who legitimately I say 0:00:16.543 --> 0:00:19.023 has the hardest job in the building, Eric at Holme. 0:00:19.463 --> 0:00:21.663 Checking out this podcast, you can see all of his 0:00:21.863 --> 0:00:24.303 rankings one through thirty two on NFL dot com. 0:00:24.423 --> 0:00:24.583 Eric. 0:00:24.583 --> 0:00:26.263 The reason why I say you have the hardest job. 0:00:26.263 --> 0:00:28.263 It's already difficult enough to rank. 0:00:28.063 --> 0:00:29.263 The teams one through thirty two. 0:00:29.543 --> 0:00:32.143 But the reaction that you get on social media from 0:00:32.183 --> 0:00:34.143 fan bases that might be a little upset on where 0:00:34.183 --> 0:00:36.823 you slap your team, that's what makes your job really hard. 0:00:36.983 --> 0:00:39.343 Is there a reaction of recently last couple weeks of 0:00:39.383 --> 0:00:41.823 stand out to you from an angry fan. 0:00:41.663 --> 0:00:46.743 Base, Yeah, very enthusiastic Bills fan ripping me for putting 0:00:46.783 --> 0:00:49.623 them at number two. Overall, right, the disrespect. Can you 0:00:49.663 --> 0:00:52.623 imagine Mike shocking at this point? Again, if you're a 0:00:52.663 --> 0:00:55.543 Bills fan, you've seen Josh Allen do some amazing things 0:00:55.583 --> 0:00:58.663 this season, but let's have some perspective. Lines are pretty 0:00:58.663 --> 0:00:59.383 good too, you know. 0:00:59.703 --> 0:01:01.623 Well, I'm glad and that's probably the best place to 0:01:01.663 --> 0:01:04.023 start with the number one team as we take you 0:01:04.063 --> 0:01:06.583 through the ranks one through eight. Yeah, no change at 0:01:06.583 --> 0:01:09.543 the top there. The lines just continue to ball. And yes, 0:01:09.703 --> 0:01:11.303 we do have a new number two team. You did 0:01:11.383 --> 0:01:13.263 give the Bills plenty of respect. They beat the Chiefs, 0:01:13.263 --> 0:01:16.103 so they sit at two. Kansas City suffers their first loss. 0:01:16.143 --> 0:01:18.583 They drop a spot to three. The Eagles welcome the 0:01:18.583 --> 0:01:21.423 first place in the NFC East, the Vikings at five. 0:01:21.463 --> 0:01:22.983 They're an eight win football team. 0:01:23.423 --> 0:01:26.263 Massive win by the Steelers, who we will talk about 0:01:26.303 --> 0:01:28.183 in just a couple of minutes as they take out 0:01:28.223 --> 0:01:31.663 the Ravens who sit seven. The number eight team, the Packers, 0:01:31.703 --> 0:01:35.503 a dramatic block field goal walk off win. All right, 0:01:35.623 --> 0:01:37.663 let's start with the number two team. It is the 0:01:37.743 --> 0:01:41.223 Buffalo Bills. I ask you this sort of with the 0:01:41.223 --> 0:01:43.343 smile on my face, knowing some of the social media 0:01:43.383 --> 0:01:45.383 reaction that you get. This is a Bills squad that's 0:01:45.383 --> 0:01:48.263 beaten the Chiefs last four regular season games. They haven't 0:01:48.263 --> 0:01:50.943 beaten them in the postseason last three times. Does the 0:01:51.023 --> 0:01:52.863 win from the weekend even matter? 0:01:54.823 --> 0:01:57.623 It does, but maybe not in a we've got their 0:01:58.103 --> 0:01:59.703 you know their number kind of way. We all, like 0:01:59.743 --> 0:02:02.583 you said, Obviously, the postseason record speaks for itself. Buffalo 0:02:02.703 --> 0:02:05.703 still got to prove itself once again gets to the postseason, 0:02:05.783 --> 0:02:08.863 especially when you know that inevitable that rematch is coming. 0:02:08.943 --> 0:02:11.343 But yeah, I mean it's important because it keeps the 0:02:11.343 --> 0:02:14.823 door open for the Bills to potentially steal the number 0:02:14.823 --> 0:02:17.143 one seed. No, the AFC East is all but wrapped up, 0:02:17.183 --> 0:02:19.823 we know that. But it also speaks to the fact 0:02:19.823 --> 0:02:22.823 that they won without Dalton king k they won without 0:02:22.903 --> 0:02:25.383 Keon Coleman. I mean, you know, they're still kind of 0:02:25.383 --> 0:02:27.903 shorthanded on defense, and we're able to play a great game. 0:02:28.223 --> 0:02:30.303 The run game wasn't terrific, but when you have Josh 0:02:30.303 --> 0:02:32.863 Allen doing things like this, it all tends to work 0:02:32.903 --> 0:02:35.823 out pretty well. So big, big day for Buffalo's defense. 0:02:35.863 --> 0:02:39.143 A couple of interceptions, also the three three and outs, 0:02:39.143 --> 0:02:41.223 and I don't think you could ask for more. But 0:02:41.303 --> 0:02:43.583 like you said, until we get to the postseason, until 0:02:43.623 --> 0:02:47.103 these two teams face again, that Bills Chiefs things still 0:02:47.103 --> 0:02:48.103 has an asterisk by it. 0:02:48.463 --> 0:02:48.743 Yeah. 0:02:48.743 --> 0:02:52.063 Look, this is a great barometer game for Buffalo, and candidly, 0:02:52.063 --> 0:02:54.663 because of some of those injuries, Eric I thought Kansas 0:02:54.703 --> 0:02:56.703 City was going to win this football game. I was 0:02:56.743 --> 0:02:59.543 all prepared in my mind last week, finishing the show, going, hey, 0:02:59.703 --> 0:03:02.183 you know what do we make of this Kansas City squad? 0:03:02.183 --> 0:03:04.183 Who you have that number three? They continue to win 0:03:04.183 --> 0:03:07.823 somebody's football games. Now they lost this matchup, but I 0:03:07.863 --> 0:03:10.383 sit here and go, this might be a good thing 0:03:10.623 --> 0:03:13.583 for this squad, and hear me out, Eric, this is 0:03:13.583 --> 0:03:15.823 a team trying to win a third consecutive Super Bowl, 0:03:15.903 --> 0:03:17.943 and now all of a sudden, you got this undefeated season, 0:03:18.183 --> 0:03:22.023 the legacy of this franchise with Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes, Like, 0:03:22.063 --> 0:03:22.823 now you don't have to. 0:03:22.743 --> 0:03:24.663 Worry about that. You got the loss out of the way. 0:03:24.783 --> 0:03:28.183 Let's just move on and really accomplish the task at hand, 0:03:28.223 --> 0:03:29.583 which is to make sure you got a first round 0:03:29.583 --> 0:03:32.423 by in the postseason and got an opportunity to hoist 0:03:32.463 --> 0:03:33.223 another Lombardi. 0:03:34.503 --> 0:03:36.463 Absolutely right. I mean it would be great for a 0:03:36.463 --> 0:03:38.663 team like the Chiefs that has accomplished so much over 0:03:38.663 --> 0:03:40.703 the last five six years to add another feather in 0:03:40.743 --> 0:03:43.183 their capital, that unbeaten season. Sure, it's not in the 0:03:43.223 --> 0:03:45.863 cards this year. It's not gonna happen. Now. Their focus, 0:03:45.983 --> 0:03:48.583 like you said, is on sealing up that number one seed. 0:03:48.663 --> 0:03:51.103 Don't let the Bills get hot, try to have that 0:03:51.143 --> 0:03:54.703 rematch if it does happen, occur in Arrowhead Field and 0:03:54.783 --> 0:03:57.703 not up at high Mark. So yeah, that's obviously the 0:03:57.743 --> 0:04:01.063 focus here. Isaiah Pacheco on track to get back. There's 0:04:01.103 --> 0:04:04.223 still finding ways to get DeAndre Hopkins involved in the playoffs, 0:04:04.623 --> 0:04:07.703 already involved in the offense rather and you know, I mean, look, 0:04:07.743 --> 0:04:09.583 it's another week of rest if they get that buy 0:04:09.663 --> 0:04:12.783 for guys like Travis Kelcey who take so much wear 0:04:12.783 --> 0:04:15.063 and tear over this course of the season. Patrick Mahomes 0:04:15.103 --> 0:04:16.943 two is still playing with the you know, a little 0:04:16.943 --> 0:04:19.383 bit banged up with the ankle and everything. So yeah, 0:04:19.863 --> 0:04:22.703 the focus hasn't changed. Obviously. This team takes care of 0:04:22.703 --> 0:04:25.623 business more often than not. So while Sunday was a setback, 0:04:25.663 --> 0:04:26.983 I don't think it was a major one. 0:04:27.143 --> 0:04:29.783 All right, So as far as the AFC teams are concerned, 0:04:30.183 --> 0:04:32.383 yes it's Buffalo, Yes it's Kansas City. We'll have a 0:04:32.423 --> 0:04:34.743 conversation on the Steelers and the Ravens. 0:04:35.343 --> 0:04:36.423 I think there's a real. 0:04:36.583 --> 0:04:39.423 Conversation by the end of the season to decide which 0:04:39.423 --> 0:04:42.543 team we think is truly the best team in that conference. 0:04:42.543 --> 0:04:44.103 Because I still think it's up in the air, and 0:04:44.143 --> 0:04:46.983 it's maybe not the team that most would point to. Meanwhile, 0:04:47.023 --> 0:04:50.263 the Philadelphia Eagles quie start here. 0:04:50.783 --> 0:04:50.943 Think. 0:04:50.943 --> 0:04:52.903 I don't know if at one point this season, Eric, 0:04:52.943 --> 0:04:54.783 you might have had them outside of the top ten. 0:04:54.863 --> 0:04:57.503 But right now they move up to the number four spot, 0:04:57.943 --> 0:05:00.343 as dangerous as they come in the NFL, and to me, 0:05:00.383 --> 0:05:02.543 they're peaking. I don't want to say it's the right time, 0:05:02.543 --> 0:05:04.103 but clearly the second half of the season. 0:05:06.583 --> 0:05:09.263 Yeah, at no point really or at not very many 0:05:09.303 --> 0:05:11.263 points towards the end of that ten and one streak 0:05:11.303 --> 0:05:14.143 they were on last season that I say, Okay, this 0:05:14.263 --> 0:05:16.623 is unquestionably one of the best teams in football. Their 0:05:16.663 --> 0:05:19.503 records said they were, but the numbers told a different story. 0:05:19.583 --> 0:05:22.343 This year, however, I feel like it's a stronger club, 0:05:22.383 --> 0:05:24.983 even with a worse record, And they've been, like you said, 0:05:25.103 --> 0:05:28.903 sort of growing since the bye week in all three phases. Really, 0:05:28.903 --> 0:05:33.863 I think especially defense, you've seen the bigger improvement there. Yeah, 0:05:33.863 --> 0:05:35.943 there's still a little bit of a slow starting offense. 0:05:35.983 --> 0:05:38.343 We'd like to see a little more first quarter action 0:05:38.463 --> 0:05:40.023 there from them, but by the end of the game 0:05:40.063 --> 0:05:42.583 they find a way to kind of crank themselves up 0:05:42.583 --> 0:05:46.263 to a rolling boil. Saquon Barkley's in the MVP discussion. 0:05:46.303 --> 0:05:49.103 Even for a running back, Jalen Hurts has played great football. 0:05:49.143 --> 0:05:52.063 They have their stud receivers, back, godders back. You know, 0:05:52.143 --> 0:05:54.543 it's all shaping up nicely. And they are dominant in 0:05:54.543 --> 0:05:57.103 both lines of scrimmage, which to me says a lot 0:05:57.143 --> 0:05:59.703 about a contender. If you're healthy on the offensive and 0:05:59.783 --> 0:06:03.023 defensive lines, and you've got difference makers up front, you 0:06:03.103 --> 0:06:05.543 have an excellent chance to make some day the postseason. 0:06:05.823 --> 0:06:07.543 Look, we're going to talk about the Rams a little 0:06:07.543 --> 0:06:10.383 bit later here on Power Rankings. They get that team 0:06:10.783 --> 0:06:13.703 Sunday Night Football cross the street from where our studios 0:06:13.703 --> 0:06:16.663 are at SOFI Stadium. I can't help but think that 0:06:16.703 --> 0:06:18.943 the Rams are going to be haunted by a loss 0:06:19.143 --> 0:06:21.463 on Monday Night Football against Miami. The other week, they 0:06:21.463 --> 0:06:23.943 responded with a win against the Patriots. But boy, get 0:06:23.943 --> 0:06:25.583 this one. Get the SHARPI out and circle it. That 0:06:25.663 --> 0:06:28.863 is going to be must see television. It is time, though, 0:06:28.943 --> 0:06:30.743 for future champions. Take a look at the. 0:06:30.703 --> 0:06:33.343 Odds for the AF seed North. 0:06:33.423 --> 0:06:37.143 Hello, the Pittsburgh Steelers still the favorite to win this division. 0:06:37.183 --> 0:06:40.383 According to FanDuel the Baltimore Ravens not far behind. I 0:06:40.543 --> 0:06:44.743 still can't believe the way Cincinnati lost that game against 0:06:44.743 --> 0:06:48.023 the Chargers. What a heartbreaking loss. And then the Cleveland 0:06:48.063 --> 0:06:51.543 Browns bringing up the rear. But let's focus in on 0:06:51.583 --> 0:06:53.943 the number sixteen. It's the Steelers. Yeah, they're in first 0:06:53.943 --> 0:06:58.143 place in this division. I'm going to say it, Eric, 0:06:58.263 --> 0:07:00.023 knowing that I might take some heat for it. I 0:07:00.023 --> 0:07:02.463 think they got lucky against the Ravens. 0:07:04.743 --> 0:07:06.983 They did too right, you would have gave without scoring 0:07:07.023 --> 0:07:09.023 a touchdowns and they hate Eric Boswell. 0:07:09.623 --> 0:07:11.503 I might have said it first, but he doubled down 0:07:11.543 --> 0:07:12.103 on it. 0:07:12.903 --> 0:07:15.543 Absolutely. No, I'm with you, right, come after both of us. 0:07:15.543 --> 0:07:18.183 I think it's a fact. Look, obviously you can't negate 0:07:18.223 --> 0:07:20.623 the fact that Nate Herbert made a great impact defensive 0:07:20.623 --> 0:07:23.703 play right away, you know, kind of spurred everybody excitement. 0:07:23.743 --> 0:07:27.063 You know, Patrick Queen made the big turnover right before halftime. 0:07:27.103 --> 0:07:30.743 Peyton Wilson, same thing. Look, they played Lamar Jackson great, right, 0:07:30.943 --> 0:07:34.303 They got just enough big plays from Pickens and Harris 0:07:34.343 --> 0:07:36.383 and guys like that, But it wasn't a great game 0:07:36.383 --> 0:07:38.823 from Russell Wilson. The offense still had some fits here 0:07:38.863 --> 0:07:41.463 and there. You know, the defense still was a two 0:07:41.463 --> 0:07:44.703 point conversion away from losing this game, and they had 0:07:44.743 --> 0:07:47.743 to have miskicks from Baltimore just to get to that point. 0:07:47.863 --> 0:07:50.343 So yeah, in no way, shape or form should the 0:07:50.383 --> 0:07:52.903 Steelers be beating their chests and saying we're the clear 0:07:53.263 --> 0:07:55.303 you know, kings of the AFC North at this point. 0:07:55.343 --> 0:07:58.623 But they have had Baltimore's number in recent matchups. They 0:07:58.623 --> 0:08:00.263 seem to kind of get in their heads a little 0:08:00.263 --> 0:08:02.223 bit and muddy up the waters when they play them, 0:08:02.263 --> 0:08:05.103 So that rematch looms large, just gonna have a big 0:08:05.143 --> 0:08:07.503 say on who ends up winning the division. But Steelers 0:08:07.503 --> 0:08:09.423 in a really nice place. All of a sudden, they're 0:08:09.423 --> 0:08:11.423 in a good spot game and a half up two 0:08:11.463 --> 0:08:13.023 in the lost column. Feeling pretty good. 0:08:13.303 --> 0:08:15.823 Yeah, what's the old adage, better be lucky than good. 0:08:15.983 --> 0:08:17.663 By the way, I think the Steelers are a good 0:08:17.663 --> 0:08:20.703 football team. All I'm saying is, yes, three turnovers, the 0:08:20.783 --> 0:08:23.903 Ravens had the two missfield goals, a miss two point conversion, 0:08:23.903 --> 0:08:27.303 and Derek Henry, who never fumbles, fumbles and they lose 0:08:27.383 --> 0:08:33.023 by two. That's the argument there. Yeah, that's Steelers once 0:08:33.023 --> 0:08:35.263 again rights football. Yeah, yeah, I mean, just it is 0:08:35.263 --> 0:08:37.543 what it is the Ravens, though you actually dropped them 0:08:37.583 --> 0:08:39.983 three spots. They get the Chargers on Monday, ed football. 0:08:40.063 --> 0:08:43.183 Great game that is looming, but based off of the 0:08:43.263 --> 0:08:46.223 way that they played against the Steelers, should I be 0:08:46.303 --> 0:08:47.743 worried about the squad. 0:08:49.383 --> 0:08:51.183 It's like every week we've got sort of a new 0:08:51.223 --> 0:08:53.463 area to focus on, right. I know we've talked about 0:08:53.583 --> 0:08:55.983 Justin Tucker. He's had struggles throughout the season. That was 0:08:55.983 --> 0:08:58.823 an issue Sunday. The defense, which has been a problem 0:08:58.903 --> 0:09:01.543 more often than not, actually played pretty darn well, I thought. 0:09:01.623 --> 0:09:03.303 So it was a big bounce back game for Zach 0:09:03.463 --> 0:09:05.783 Orr's group. You know, did enough on that side of 0:09:05.783 --> 0:09:09.023 the ball. But offensively, you know, this was Lamar Jackson's 0:09:09.063 --> 0:09:11.703 worst game and over a year probably, and you know 0:09:11.783 --> 0:09:14.263 he's still made plays, but it wasn't enough. And they 0:09:14.343 --> 0:09:16.263 only seemed to kind of get in his head and 0:09:16.543 --> 0:09:19.183 you know, force him to make some uncharacteristic throws not 0:09:19.343 --> 0:09:22.343 very accurate. You know, this is this is the problem. 0:09:22.343 --> 0:09:25.263 If you are so heavily reliant on what has been 0:09:25.303 --> 0:09:28.503 a great offense, no question about it, things like this 0:09:28.583 --> 0:09:31.103 happen if you can't you know, you can't have that 0:09:31.183 --> 0:09:34.943 great day offensively it requires everything else to be really 0:09:34.983 --> 0:09:37.623 buttoned up, and two missfield goals not so buttoned up. 0:09:37.983 --> 0:09:41.103 Penalties have been an issue all season long. Mic. You know, 0:09:41.263 --> 0:09:42.943 that's one of those things where you say, look, John 0:09:42.943 --> 0:09:46.863 Harbaugh is staff are great, but hard not to overlook 0:09:46.903 --> 0:09:49.543 the results. The bottom line is they're just making mistakes. 0:09:49.783 --> 0:09:51.703 Yeah, I still can't believe we're talking about a seven 0:09:51.743 --> 0:09:53.863 and four football team. If for what it's worth, you know, 0:09:54.023 --> 0:09:56.583 all of us are fans, Eric, and sometimes you're watching 0:09:56.583 --> 0:09:58.223 the game and you just throw out something you have 0:09:58.303 --> 0:10:00.623 no idea if it's fact or not. I had said 0:10:00.623 --> 0:10:02.463 this to myself, I'm like, I don't think there's a 0:10:02.463 --> 0:10:05.223 team in the NFL that's got more drops on third. Well, 0:10:05.383 --> 0:10:07.783 here's the beauty of working at NFL Network. You can 0:10:07.903 --> 0:10:10.503 just ask your research department. They looked it up for me. 0:10:10.663 --> 0:10:13.983 They are tied for the fifth most, only four drops. 0:10:13.983 --> 0:10:16.663 But as I was told, hey, sometimes that is a 0:10:16.663 --> 0:10:19.503 little bit of an arbitrary stat But the point is 0:10:19.543 --> 0:10:23.383 it's still a really high number. Forum it's apparently four 0:10:23.383 --> 0:10:25.223 on the season. I feel like it's more than four. 0:10:25.303 --> 0:10:29.463 But the point is there's been quite a few of those. Meanwhile, 0:10:29.463 --> 0:10:31.263 there is a team that we haven't even name checked. 0:10:31.303 --> 0:10:33.383 In fact, they're in the next tier of squads that 0:10:33.463 --> 0:10:36.143 I think is as dangerous they come in the postseason. 0:10:36.143 --> 0:10:37.983 Will tell you who it is, and we'll get Eric's 0:10:38.023 --> 0:10:44.303 take on that. That's still to come here on power rankings. 0:10:47.383 --> 0:10:50.663 Back here on Power rankings. Teams nine through sixteen. Here 0:10:50.703 --> 0:10:53.903 we go the Chargers, very very dangerous. That's the squad 0:10:53.903 --> 0:10:56.543 that I made reference to before the break. I don't 0:10:56.583 --> 0:10:59.503 think anyone wants to take on this team. The Commanders 0:10:59.783 --> 0:11:02.743 drop two spots following a loss that Houston, Texas get 0:11:02.743 --> 0:11:05.143 a big Monday Night football win. I think there's questions 0:11:05.183 --> 0:11:07.383 and answers right now around that squad. Oh. 0:11:07.423 --> 0:11:07.903 I love the. 0:11:07.863 --> 0:11:11.023 Arizona story with this Cardinals team who sits twelve bow knicks, 0:11:11.103 --> 0:11:12.463 is bawling there at thirteen. 0:11:12.703 --> 0:11:14.543 The fourteenth ranked team is the Buccaneers. 0:11:14.583 --> 0:11:17.583 The Seahawks score a big win in the Bay Area 0:11:17.703 --> 0:11:20.223 against the Niners. They are the fifteenth ranked team in 0:11:20.263 --> 0:11:24.463 San Francisco, sitting at sixteen. This is a Charger squad 0:11:24.703 --> 0:11:27.463 abou a twenty one point halftime lead. I felt like 0:11:27.503 --> 0:11:30.383 this thing was over. Cincinnati makes the run. They still 0:11:30.383 --> 0:11:32.903 figure out a way to get a win. I think 0:11:32.943 --> 0:11:35.623 there's something to be said for it. And I know 0:11:35.623 --> 0:11:37.863 people are throwing out, hey, not the same old Chargers there, 0:11:37.903 --> 0:11:39.503 but I think there's something to it. I don't know 0:11:39.543 --> 0:11:41.863 if this squad, after blowing a lead like that in 0:11:41.903 --> 0:11:44.383 previous seasons, would have had the mental fortitude to come 0:11:44.383 --> 0:11:44.903 back and win. 0:11:46.103 --> 0:11:47.863 Oh yeah, I mean, tell me you didn't watch that 0:11:47.943 --> 0:11:50.543 game and immediately think of the Jackson playoff game, right. 0:11:50.583 --> 0:11:53.063 I understand it's a different coaching staff, and that obviously 0:11:53.103 --> 0:11:55.303 makes a big difference I think. I mean, even if 0:11:55.383 --> 0:11:58.103 Jim Harbaugh had that glazed look on his face at 0:11:58.143 --> 0:12:00.543 times in the second half, they found a way. They 0:12:00.543 --> 0:12:02.463 were tough. I mean, justin Herbert I think was like 0:12:02.543 --> 0:12:04.943 five for eighteen at one point in the second half, 0:12:05.183 --> 0:12:08.343 missed some big throws, and then found lab McConkey for 0:12:08.383 --> 0:12:11.303 the two big plays late. That ultimately was the difference. 0:12:11.343 --> 0:12:14.383 I mean, obviously Cincinnati not being able to convert. You know, 0:12:14.623 --> 0:12:17.823 this has been a very very good Chargers defense all 0:12:17.863 --> 0:12:21.063 season long. They've kept point totals down. They hadn't allowed 0:12:21.103 --> 0:12:23.303 more than twenty points in the game all season. They 0:12:23.343 --> 0:12:26.263 allowed twenty one in about an eight minute stretch there 0:12:26.263 --> 0:12:28.663 in the second half, so there are some questions with 0:12:28.703 --> 0:12:32.223 that secondary the pass rush didn't always get home. But still, 0:12:32.263 --> 0:12:34.623 as you said, I think there is just a different attitude, 0:12:34.623 --> 0:12:37.103 a different belief there now that they aren't the butt 0:12:37.103 --> 0:12:38.783 of the joke anymore. They can go out and win 0:12:38.823 --> 0:12:41.943 these types of games. So big statement with Ravens next week, 0:12:42.063 --> 0:12:44.143 Chiefs in a couple of weeks. They've got some tougher 0:12:44.183 --> 0:12:44.823 tests up ahead. 0:12:45.063 --> 0:12:47.063 Yeah, we'll talk Cincinnati coming up in just a bit. 0:12:47.103 --> 0:12:49.023 By the way, during the game broadcast, you mentioned some 0:12:49.023 --> 0:12:50.943 of the numbers for Herbert. I couldn't believe it, and 0:12:50.943 --> 0:12:53.383 if I'm misquoting him, totally my bad. But I thought 0:12:53.383 --> 0:12:56.383 Mike Tarico said there was a zero for seven stretch 0:12:56.423 --> 0:12:59.583 for Justin Herbert, which was the longest incompletion stretch of 0:12:59.623 --> 0:13:03.063 his career. Just have that resonate in your mind for 0:13:03.143 --> 0:13:05.583 just a moment. That's how Goodt's been in is pretty 0:13:05.623 --> 0:13:08.983 good career. Yeah, terrific. Texans went on Monday night football 0:13:09.263 --> 0:13:10.143 lopsided win. 0:13:10.263 --> 0:13:10.463 Here. 0:13:12.223 --> 0:13:14.423 Is there a team in the AFC playoff picture that 0:13:14.463 --> 0:13:15.223 would be scared of them? 0:13:15.263 --> 0:13:19.903 Though? Fair question, good question, Yeah, I don't know that 0:13:19.943 --> 0:13:21.703 there is. You know, you look at the Chargers if 0:13:21.703 --> 0:13:23.583 they end up facing off as a as a five 0:13:23.583 --> 0:13:25.783 to four matchup, or the Ravens. I don't think either 0:13:25.823 --> 0:13:28.143 one of those teams is going into Houston scared. I mean, 0:13:28.183 --> 0:13:31.263 you saw Monday night. Obviously the score indicated a kind 0:13:31.263 --> 0:13:33.743 of a lopset of victory, as you said, but you know, 0:13:33.863 --> 0:13:36.623 Nico Tuck Collins's touchdown gets pulled off the board on 0:13:36.703 --> 0:13:38.263 the first play of the game because of penalty, and 0:13:38.303 --> 0:13:41.423 it kind of, you know, emblematic of the entire game. 0:13:41.503 --> 0:13:44.103 Right there was some some promising stuff. Collins was back, 0:13:44.183 --> 0:13:46.743 Joe Mixon was terrific, Stroud kind of settled down after 0:13:46.743 --> 0:13:51.023 the early pick, but also several steps back as well, penalties, 0:13:51.143 --> 0:13:54.423 mental airs, things like that. They got a defensive touchdown 0:13:54.463 --> 0:13:56.223 that kind of bumped up the score a little bit, 0:13:56.263 --> 0:13:58.383 and credit goes to that defense. I mean, Daniel Hunter 0:13:58.503 --> 0:14:00.463 was great, you know, I mean the you know, the 0:14:00.943 --> 0:14:04.423 strip and score from Derek Barnett outstanding, Derek Stingley and 0:14:04.663 --> 0:14:07.783 Age great. But let's also point out the fact that 0:14:07.863 --> 0:14:10.823 other mixing, they didn't have a whole lot of consistent 0:14:10.903 --> 0:14:14.743 offensive you know, firepower if you will. So I do 0:14:14.823 --> 0:14:17.223 have a little bit of worry about them finishing drives 0:14:17.303 --> 0:14:19.663 and are they gonna play this well defensively every week? 0:14:19.743 --> 0:14:22.463 I'm not so sure. It was a backup quarterback in Dallas, 0:14:22.503 --> 0:14:26.303 So still those questions exist. They remain the massive favorite 0:14:26.303 --> 0:14:28.303 to win the AFC or South, I should say, and 0:14:28.343 --> 0:14:30.703 get that home game. But to your point, I don't 0:14:30.743 --> 0:14:33.023 know anyone's gonna be going in there really scared about 0:14:33.063 --> 0:14:34.103 facing them at this point. 0:14:34.303 --> 0:14:35.463 Yeah, I think there's still some more. 0:14:35.503 --> 0:14:37.623 There are more questions and answers right now around this 0:14:37.703 --> 0:14:40.623 Houston squad, especially on the offensive side. Still a positive. 0:14:40.863 --> 0:14:44.583 I'd rather have some of those teaching moments with a win. 0:14:45.183 --> 0:14:47.823 Nico Collins coming back obviously should be a huge boost. 0:14:47.823 --> 0:14:50.743 We did see him flash yesterday in that win or 0:14:50.743 --> 0:14:53.383 Monday night, I should say against the Cowboys. The one 0:14:53.383 --> 0:14:55.143 team you could make in argument of the question that 0:14:55.223 --> 0:14:57.063 I had and you and I were talking off air 0:14:57.103 --> 0:15:00.103 about this is the Broncos squad maybe in that postseason 0:15:00.303 --> 0:15:03.183 mixed not scaring teams, but the way bo Knicks is playing, 0:15:03.263 --> 0:15:05.063 Like I get what we're seeing at the top of 0:15:05.063 --> 0:15:07.783 that quarterback class with Caleb and Jadan Daniels. 0:15:07.903 --> 0:15:10.103 Bo Nicks, Let's not forget he kind of fell a 0:15:10.143 --> 0:15:10.623 little bit. 0:15:11.023 --> 0:15:13.583 He's balling right now and the Broncos are winning some 0:15:13.583 --> 0:15:14.303 football games. 0:15:15.343 --> 0:15:17.903 Absolutely, one of the first rookies to complete eighty percent 0:15:17.943 --> 0:15:20.583 of his passes, throw for more than three hundred yards 0:15:20.663 --> 0:15:24.503 career high on Sunday, and also have four more touchdowns 0:15:24.543 --> 0:15:26.183 of a single game. Actually he's the only one to 0:15:26.183 --> 0:15:28.023 ever do that. But it was a lot of his 0:15:28.063 --> 0:15:30.743 own defense from Atlanta. He took the reads that were there. 0:15:30.823 --> 0:15:33.623 Sean Payton's play calling certainly helped bo Nicks out a 0:15:33.623 --> 0:15:35.943 lot in that game. But you know, when he had 0:15:35.943 --> 0:15:38.503 the few opportunities to create, he made plays too. So 0:15:38.543 --> 0:15:40.743 you see him kind of letting that leash out Peyton. 0:15:41.063 --> 0:15:43.263 You know, they have this interesting relationship, a little of 0:15:43.303 --> 0:15:46.583 tough love but also an appreciation from Peyton talking about 0:15:46.623 --> 0:15:48.663 the maturity and the poise that Nicks has shown and 0:15:48.703 --> 0:15:51.983 the toughness. So he's a running factor. He's thrown the 0:15:51.983 --> 0:15:55.423 ball accurately, he dissects zones like he's back in college. 0:15:55.623 --> 0:15:58.343 I was very impressed, and that Denver d holds up too, 0:15:58.383 --> 0:16:01.103 So they've been great. I'm not saying it's a Super 0:16:01.103 --> 0:16:03.023 Bowl caliber club, but I do think it is the 0:16:03.103 --> 0:16:05.503 kind of club that, like you said, that was a 0:16:05.583 --> 0:16:08.663 Texans Broncos type of matchup in round one. They could 0:16:08.703 --> 0:16:10.143 go in there and give him a darn good game 0:16:10.143 --> 0:16:12.903 and possibly come out with a win. So really good progress. 0:16:12.903 --> 0:16:15.023 From the start of last season until now, Sean Payton 0:16:15.063 --> 0:16:16.383 has done an excellent job. I think. 0:16:16.583 --> 0:16:18.023 I don't want to speak for you, I'll just speak 0:16:18.023 --> 0:16:18.583 for myself. 0:16:18.743 --> 0:16:23.623 I didn't see this happening Like Bonick's great, he could 0:16:23.663 --> 0:16:25.423 ball a ton of experience if even if he was 0:16:25.423 --> 0:16:28.423 playing well. I didn't see a turnaround like this, especially 0:16:28.463 --> 0:16:30.903 if you look at what this Broncos team looked like 0:16:30.943 --> 0:16:33.023 on the football field a season ago. There was a 0:16:33.063 --> 0:16:35.503 lot of questions around this team. So major respect hat 0:16:35.503 --> 0:16:38.583 tip to Sean Payton and what that organization is doing. 0:16:38.903 --> 0:16:41.863 Time for power moves. Sitting at number fifteen, it's the 0:16:42.023 --> 0:16:44.863 Seattle Seahawks eric who move up two spots. They get 0:16:44.903 --> 0:16:48.023 an Arizona squad. Speaking of things that I didn't see happening, 0:16:48.103 --> 0:16:50.783 going on the road, beating the San Francisco forty nine 0:16:50.903 --> 0:16:54.023 ers in the Bay Area. That's a big time win, 0:16:54.223 --> 0:16:56.863 and all of a sudden, this division looks as wonky 0:16:57.103 --> 0:16:57.583 as ever. 0:16:59.463 --> 0:17:01.663 Sure does. One through four I mean it's sort of 0:17:01.663 --> 0:17:04.423 almost where we thought the the NFC North was a 0:17:04.623 --> 0:17:07.343 month ago er, but it's not quite as powerful on top. 0:17:07.383 --> 0:17:10.383 You know, San Francisco's had a disappointing season. Seahawks started 0:17:10.423 --> 0:17:12.743 three and oh then fell back. But when you see 0:17:12.783 --> 0:17:14.823 a game like this and the way it played out, 0:17:15.223 --> 0:17:17.503 you know, San Francisco had every opportunity to win it. 0:17:17.543 --> 0:17:21.343 The Seahawks dug in found a way great last drive. 0:17:21.783 --> 0:17:24.103 Gino finishes it off. You know, he's been through so 0:17:24.263 --> 0:17:27.103 much up there, the ebbs and flows, the ups and downs. 0:17:27.143 --> 0:17:29.903 Now a coaching changes past season, but you know, really 0:17:29.943 --> 0:17:31.583 got to admire what he can do at the end 0:17:31.583 --> 0:17:33.863 of a game after he's taken a lot of hits 0:17:33.903 --> 0:17:37.983 and had some some disappointments. So again, like you said, 0:17:38.023 --> 0:17:39.943 we kind of write them off, push them out of 0:17:39.943 --> 0:17:42.023