1 00:00:04,680 --> 00:00:07,040 Speaker 1: All right, guys, Before we get started today, a big 2 00:00:07,040 --> 00:00:10,160 Speaker 1: thank you to our partner, Microsoft Surface, celebrating ten years 3 00:00:10,160 --> 00:00:13,720 Speaker 1: of partnership with the NFL. As the official laptop, tablet, 4 00:00:13,720 --> 00:00:17,680 Speaker 1: and sideline technology provider for the LA Chargers. Microsoft Surface 5 00:00:17,720 --> 00:00:20,439 Speaker 1: provides players and coaches with the tools to succeed both 6 00:00:20,480 --> 00:00:23,239 Speaker 1: on and off the field every day. Learn more about 7 00:00:23,320 --> 00:00:27,479 Speaker 1: Surface at surface dot com and welcome in to the 8 00:00:27,520 --> 00:00:31,240 Speaker 1: Final Drive as the Chargers ring in the new year 9 00:00:31,280 --> 00:00:34,400 Speaker 1: with a thirty one ten victory over the Rams to 10 00:00:34,479 --> 00:00:37,800 Speaker 1: improve the ten and six on the twenty twenty two 11 00:00:37,840 --> 00:00:41,280 Speaker 1: season as always, joined by team reporter Haley l Wood 12 00:00:41,360 --> 00:00:45,120 Speaker 1: and senior writer Eric Smith, and guys, I felt like 13 00:00:45,159 --> 00:00:48,239 Speaker 1: this was one of the most complete wins of the 14 00:00:48,360 --> 00:00:50,280 Speaker 1: season when you talk about the way the defense is 15 00:00:50,280 --> 00:00:53,480 Speaker 1: played the last four weeks. They showed up again yesterday 16 00:00:53,920 --> 00:00:57,800 Speaker 1: and the offense thirty one points, Haley, the second time 17 00:00:57,800 --> 00:01:00,600 Speaker 1: that they've scored over thirty points this season, and it 18 00:01:00,640 --> 00:01:06,000 Speaker 1: was a pretty balanced attack. Yeah, that was exactly what 19 00:01:06,040 --> 00:01:08,880 Speaker 1: I tweeted after the game there pretty much towards the 20 00:01:08,920 --> 00:01:11,280 Speaker 1: end of the game that it felt extremely complete and 21 00:01:11,280 --> 00:01:12,920 Speaker 1: there were a couple of people who chose to beg 22 00:01:12,959 --> 00:01:14,840 Speaker 1: to differ, and we'll get into some of those like 23 00:01:14,840 --> 00:01:18,640 Speaker 1: little nitpicky instances. But I do think you saw it 24 00:01:18,720 --> 00:01:21,039 Speaker 1: from all phases in this one, and I think this 25 00:01:21,080 --> 00:01:22,959 Speaker 1: is what, as I tweeted, what you want to see 26 00:01:23,040 --> 00:01:26,240 Speaker 1: as this team finishes out the regular season and gets 27 00:01:26,280 --> 00:01:30,240 Speaker 1: into January. Yes, the rush rushing defense wasn't superb and 28 00:01:30,280 --> 00:01:32,959 Speaker 1: they gave up their yards. Yes it was the Rams, 29 00:01:33,360 --> 00:01:36,200 Speaker 1: but what more do you want at this point? You 30 00:01:36,240 --> 00:01:38,640 Speaker 1: know you have to play who's on your schedule. You 31 00:01:39,040 --> 00:01:41,759 Speaker 1: win by double digit scores, You put up thirty plus points, 32 00:01:41,760 --> 00:01:44,160 Speaker 1: which you said hadn't been done since earlier in the season, 33 00:01:44,560 --> 00:01:47,120 Speaker 1: So you're doing things that you want to see get done. 34 00:01:47,560 --> 00:01:49,720 Speaker 1: We talked a lot last week about the run game 35 00:01:49,960 --> 00:01:52,200 Speaker 1: getting going for the Chargers and the emergence of Mike 36 00:01:52,240 --> 00:01:54,440 Speaker 1: Williams needing to kind of come out, and you saw 37 00:01:54,480 --> 00:01:57,920 Speaker 1: that in this one, and I checked off, both checked off. 38 00:01:58,040 --> 00:02:00,280 Speaker 1: I think we've talked a lot about Mike Williams In 39 00:02:00,280 --> 00:02:01,960 Speaker 1: that one phrase, he is sort of the straw that 40 00:02:02,000 --> 00:02:04,040 Speaker 1: stirs the drink on this offense in terms of the 41 00:02:04,080 --> 00:02:07,240 Speaker 1: fact that he makes plays that really no one else 42 00:02:07,280 --> 00:02:10,400 Speaker 1: can make. Justin Herbert has insane trust in him a 43 00:02:10,400 --> 00:02:12,240 Speaker 1: lot of times. And I think as we have watched 44 00:02:12,280 --> 00:02:14,760 Speaker 1: Mike Williams over the years, it's been a lot of 45 00:02:14,800 --> 00:02:17,320 Speaker 1: like throw it up, go get it, come down with it, 46 00:02:17,360 --> 00:02:19,680 Speaker 1: those eighty twenties, as we like to say. But he 47 00:02:19,840 --> 00:02:24,480 Speaker 1: is now making catches that you can't even describe, Like 48 00:02:24,560 --> 00:02:26,760 Speaker 1: you just see in the moment you're like, he got 49 00:02:26,800 --> 00:02:30,280 Speaker 1: his feet down in that instance. It's just absolutely insane. So, 50 00:02:30,320 --> 00:02:32,200 Speaker 1: as I said, I think, yes, there's still some things 51 00:02:32,200 --> 00:02:33,600 Speaker 1: that you want to see cleaned up, but at the 52 00:02:33,639 --> 00:02:35,480 Speaker 1: same time, what more do you want from this team? 53 00:02:35,560 --> 00:02:37,560 Speaker 1: Right now? They are playing at a really high level. 54 00:02:37,919 --> 00:02:39,880 Speaker 1: This was a game where all phases were clicking, and 55 00:02:39,919 --> 00:02:41,639 Speaker 1: like I said, it's what you want to see. With 56 00:02:41,680 --> 00:02:44,480 Speaker 1: one more regular season game left to go and now 57 00:02:44,639 --> 00:02:46,480 Speaker 1: you know you're pretty much locked into the fifth seed. 58 00:02:46,480 --> 00:02:48,440 Speaker 1: You win next week, you're the fifth and that's a 59 00:02:48,440 --> 00:02:52,280 Speaker 1: really good position to be into. Yeah, you know, so 60 00:02:52,360 --> 00:02:55,239 Speaker 1: much to dive into with that answer, Hailey, We'll start 61 00:02:55,240 --> 00:02:58,920 Speaker 1: with Mike Williams seven for ninety four, and we talked 62 00:02:58,919 --> 00:03:01,239 Speaker 1: about getting Mike involved. You can never have enough eighty 63 00:03:01,280 --> 00:03:04,640 Speaker 1: one in the offense, and he's made some ridiculous catches 64 00:03:04,840 --> 00:03:07,120 Speaker 1: in his years. We've seen so many of them, from 65 00:03:07,120 --> 00:03:09,520 Speaker 1: his rookie season to present. I thought that was the 66 00:03:09,520 --> 00:03:12,680 Speaker 1: best catch I've ever seen, and he said he's probably 67 00:03:12,720 --> 00:03:16,720 Speaker 1: had better, and he's probably right, But seven for ninety four. 68 00:03:17,120 --> 00:03:19,320 Speaker 1: I looked this up yesterday. When Mike goes over one 69 00:03:19,360 --> 00:03:21,360 Speaker 1: hundred yards, he was six shot yesterday. But when he 70 00:03:21,400 --> 00:03:24,160 Speaker 1: goes over one hundred yards, the Chargers are eight and 71 00:03:24,240 --> 00:03:27,920 Speaker 1: four in those games, and those four losses were all 72 00:03:28,040 --> 00:03:32,119 Speaker 1: decided by three points. So the win probability eric when 73 00:03:32,120 --> 00:03:36,440 Speaker 1: you get Mike Williams involved, very high for the Chargers. Yeah, 74 00:03:36,520 --> 00:03:39,000 Speaker 1: and I we talked about our tweets, Haley. I tweeted 75 00:03:39,320 --> 00:03:42,040 Speaker 1: in the first half yesterday that it feels like every 76 00:03:42,120 --> 00:03:44,280 Speaker 1: Mike catch goes for twenty yards and it's not like 77 00:03:44,800 --> 00:03:47,040 Speaker 1: he gets like a five or six yard catch, like 78 00:03:47,080 --> 00:03:49,200 Speaker 1: all of his catches are big plays. And I would 79 00:03:49,240 --> 00:03:52,360 Speaker 1: agree completely with what you said that he is kind 80 00:03:52,360 --> 00:03:55,640 Speaker 1: of the guy that makes the offense go. I think 81 00:03:55,640 --> 00:03:58,720 Speaker 1: when we saw him out and that that middle portion 82 00:03:58,760 --> 00:04:00,920 Speaker 1: of the Thiethan that really where it was sort of 83 00:04:00,920 --> 00:04:04,000 Speaker 1: a grind for the offense and they really had to struggle. Um. 84 00:04:04,240 --> 00:04:07,560 Speaker 1: I know Keenan was coming back but you just lose 85 00:04:07,640 --> 00:04:12,080 Speaker 1: like a big play guy. Um and yeah, Chris, that 86 00:04:12,160 --> 00:04:16,800 Speaker 1: catch you made yesterday, Um, I didn't know what to say. 87 00:04:16,839 --> 00:04:18,360 Speaker 1: I mean, that was That's probably one of the best 88 00:04:18,400 --> 00:04:24,880 Speaker 1: catches I've ever seen alone, like being no, yeah, um, 89 00:04:25,320 --> 00:04:27,279 Speaker 1: it was incredible and it was great. It is like 90 00:04:27,320 --> 00:04:30,080 Speaker 1: if you rewatch. I went back and watched it after 91 00:04:30,120 --> 00:04:33,720 Speaker 1: the game. I kind of wrote about it obviously. Um, 92 00:04:33,760 --> 00:04:36,159 Speaker 1: it happened right in front of the Rams sideline, right 93 00:04:36,200 --> 00:04:40,120 Speaker 1: in front of Sean McVay and Eric Yarber, who's the 94 00:04:40,480 --> 00:04:44,320 Speaker 1: Ram wide receivers coach. McVeagh has a great view. He 95 00:04:44,360 --> 00:04:47,320 Speaker 1: never even thinked about the challenge flag right because he's 96 00:04:47,400 --> 00:04:50,719 Speaker 1: right there. But I thought was great was that Yarbor 97 00:04:51,200 --> 00:04:55,159 Speaker 1: the again, that's the Ram the wide receivers coach, calls 98 00:04:55,200 --> 00:04:57,560 Speaker 1: out to Mike after the play and like give them 99 00:04:57,560 --> 00:04:59,960 Speaker 1: a thumbs up, like, hey, that's a great, great catch. 100 00:05:00,080 --> 00:05:01,599 Speaker 1: It's like at that point, all you have to do 101 00:05:01,760 --> 00:05:03,560 Speaker 1: just like tipped your cap to the guy because, like 102 00:05:04,200 --> 00:05:07,040 Speaker 1: total respect, one of the best catches of the season 103 00:05:07,800 --> 00:05:11,320 Speaker 1: by anyone in the entire league. And yeah, when he's 104 00:05:11,400 --> 00:05:14,840 Speaker 1: on the Chargers offensive on and hopefully we can kind 105 00:05:14,839 --> 00:05:18,080 Speaker 1: of keep that up heading into the wild Card round. YEP. 106 00:05:18,320 --> 00:05:20,360 Speaker 1: In the running game, what can you say about Austin Ekeler. 107 00:05:20,839 --> 00:05:23,400 Speaker 1: He had a seventy one yard rush Week five against 108 00:05:23,440 --> 00:05:26,240 Speaker 1: the Browns. It was a career high, a seventy two 109 00:05:26,279 --> 00:05:29,039 Speaker 1: yard touchdown, a new career high one hundred and sixty 110 00:05:29,040 --> 00:05:32,440 Speaker 1: one total yards. And you know, I joked with him 111 00:05:32,480 --> 00:05:34,360 Speaker 1: after the game about the Pro Bowl and all that stuff, 112 00:05:34,360 --> 00:05:36,599 Speaker 1: and he said, you know what, we have our eyes 113 00:05:36,640 --> 00:05:39,800 Speaker 1: on another bowl and that's Super Bowl. So Austin, we 114 00:05:40,000 --> 00:05:42,440 Speaker 1: talked about the running game and getting that going, Hailey, 115 00:05:42,560 --> 00:05:45,000 Speaker 1: But I want to give Keenan Allison credit on that 116 00:05:45,120 --> 00:05:48,360 Speaker 1: that block that he had, and it was perfectly blocked 117 00:05:48,400 --> 00:05:51,719 Speaker 1: from the offensive lineman to the tight ends to Keenan, 118 00:05:51,800 --> 00:05:55,560 Speaker 1: but that final block to spring Austin for the touchdown. 119 00:05:56,000 --> 00:06:00,279 Speaker 1: That's just another example of the value of Keenan Allen. 120 00:06:00,320 --> 00:06:02,200 Speaker 1: You know, he's a chain mover. But you know, when 121 00:06:02,200 --> 00:06:04,200 Speaker 1: you see these guys on the field together, we're not 122 00:06:04,240 --> 00:06:07,800 Speaker 1: just talking about Keenan and Mike making plays. It's Keenan's 123 00:06:07,880 --> 00:06:12,120 Speaker 1: like willingness as a blocker and everybody buying into get 124 00:06:12,120 --> 00:06:15,159 Speaker 1: in the running game going. That's what they did yesterday. Well, 125 00:06:15,200 --> 00:06:16,720 Speaker 1: and like, if you want to talk about the passing game, 126 00:06:16,760 --> 00:06:18,800 Speaker 1: who caught the touchdowns yesterday? It was Gerald Everett and 127 00:06:18,800 --> 00:06:22,800 Speaker 1: Donald Parhams. Yeah, it was all over the place in 128 00:06:22,800 --> 00:06:24,640 Speaker 1: that regard, but in a good way. But no, you're right. 129 00:06:24,760 --> 00:06:29,320 Speaker 1: I think it's so hard for me when we talk 130 00:06:29,360 --> 00:06:32,599 Speaker 1: about Keenan Allen when people still describe him as underrated 131 00:06:32,960 --> 00:06:35,520 Speaker 1: and underappreciated, because he had a streak where he made 132 00:06:35,520 --> 00:06:37,720 Speaker 1: what four straight Pro Bowls, five straight Pro Bowls, whatever 133 00:06:38,240 --> 00:06:41,000 Speaker 1: it was up until this year, and so he was 134 00:06:41,040 --> 00:06:43,680 Speaker 1: getting the recognition in that sense. I do think that 135 00:06:43,720 --> 00:06:46,359 Speaker 1: there are elements of his game that remain underrated, and 136 00:06:46,440 --> 00:06:48,680 Speaker 1: I think the blocking is certainly one of those things, 137 00:06:48,720 --> 00:06:51,599 Speaker 1: because we know what he brings as a receiver as 138 00:06:51,640 --> 00:06:55,360 Speaker 1: a pass catcher, but to still unselfishly in a way 139 00:06:55,839 --> 00:06:58,520 Speaker 1: do the quote unquote dirty work in order to benefit 140 00:06:58,560 --> 00:07:02,120 Speaker 1: the team. It's great. It's great to see he's, you know, 141 00:07:02,200 --> 00:07:04,760 Speaker 1: in his tenth season. Now, not every guy does this, 142 00:07:04,920 --> 00:07:06,880 Speaker 1: Not every guy cares about this type of stuff, but 143 00:07:06,920 --> 00:07:09,840 Speaker 1: he certainly does. And I think you saw that effort yesterday, 144 00:07:09,880 --> 00:07:12,040 Speaker 1: and I think, you know, just kind of looking back 145 00:07:12,080 --> 00:07:15,880 Speaker 1: at some of the quotes that Brandon Staley had after 146 00:07:15,920 --> 00:07:18,880 Speaker 1: the game from the offensive standpoint, you know, he talked 147 00:07:18,920 --> 00:07:20,880 Speaker 1: about it being a step in the right direction. But 148 00:07:21,000 --> 00:07:23,720 Speaker 1: every week they're now looking at these games like steps. 149 00:07:23,840 --> 00:07:26,000 Speaker 1: So we expect to take a bigger step next week 150 00:07:26,000 --> 00:07:27,920 Speaker 1: and a bigger step the week after that in the 151 00:07:27,960 --> 00:07:31,400 Speaker 1: wildcard round. And so I think again, as we sat 152 00:07:31,480 --> 00:07:33,760 Speaker 1: here last week and talked about the Colts game and 153 00:07:33,800 --> 00:07:35,680 Speaker 1: talked about things that we want to see, they kind 154 00:07:35,680 --> 00:07:38,040 Speaker 1: of checked those boxes. Like you said, they did these things, 155 00:07:38,480 --> 00:07:40,960 Speaker 1: and I think if you can build off of those 156 00:07:41,600 --> 00:07:44,240 Speaker 1: and keep this going and make the offense, this to 157 00:07:44,320 --> 00:07:46,800 Speaker 1: me was also the most like diversified. The offense had 158 00:07:46,840 --> 00:07:49,160 Speaker 1: looked pretty much all season two. And like we had 159 00:07:49,200 --> 00:07:52,040 Speaker 1: said for weeks now, everyone's healthy, pretty much everyone's back, 160 00:07:52,960 --> 00:07:54,760 Speaker 1: but you saw them reap the benefits of that. And 161 00:07:54,800 --> 00:07:57,360 Speaker 1: so I think whether it was the ground game, whether 162 00:07:57,360 --> 00:07:59,800 Speaker 1: it was the contributions from someone like Keenan, whether it 163 00:07:59,840 --> 00:08:02,800 Speaker 1: was the contributions of the tight ends catching those touchdowns, 164 00:08:03,040 --> 00:08:06,400 Speaker 1: you just saw it sort of be well rounded, diversified. 165 00:08:06,640 --> 00:08:09,120 Speaker 1: And again, as I've said before, and I'll say again, 166 00:08:09,160 --> 00:08:13,000 Speaker 1: that's what you want to see right now. There's guys 167 00:08:13,040 --> 00:08:15,360 Speaker 1: that can show up on a weekly basis too. You 168 00:08:15,400 --> 00:08:18,520 Speaker 1: know Joshua Palmer for instance, he only had one target, 169 00:08:18,840 --> 00:08:21,640 Speaker 1: didn't have any yards or a catch. And then last 170 00:08:21,680 --> 00:08:26,080 Speaker 1: week Gerald Everett was absent from the stat sheet, but 171 00:08:26,320 --> 00:08:30,559 Speaker 1: Donald Parham last week had had a big gain called 172 00:08:30,560 --> 00:08:33,880 Speaker 1: back due to holding. You get to tight ends involved 173 00:08:33,880 --> 00:08:36,840 Speaker 1: this week, param and Everett with the touchdown each as 174 00:08:36,880 --> 00:08:40,240 Speaker 1: you mentioned, Haley, and I think we also spoke about 175 00:08:40,320 --> 00:08:43,800 Speaker 1: Jalen Giton and his absence last week on the podcast. 176 00:08:44,240 --> 00:08:47,520 Speaker 1: I feel like Eric, the emergence of these tight ends 177 00:08:47,559 --> 00:08:51,520 Speaker 1: could be quite a big part of the game plan 178 00:08:51,600 --> 00:08:54,439 Speaker 1: moving forward, especially as you get into mid January. Everybody 179 00:08:54,480 --> 00:08:56,880 Speaker 1: knows by Keenan and Mike and Austin, but getting those 180 00:08:56,880 --> 00:09:00,520 Speaker 1: guys involved, especially in the red zone, that's another mentioned 181 00:09:00,559 --> 00:09:06,559 Speaker 1: that I think we saw from this offense against the Rams. Yeah, 182 00:09:06,600 --> 00:09:09,079 Speaker 1: that's that's a good point because while we we've hyped 183 00:09:09,120 --> 00:09:10,880 Speaker 1: up you know, Keenan and Mike on this podcast, and 184 00:09:10,920 --> 00:09:14,240 Speaker 1: they are tremendous players, it's going to be tougher in 185 00:09:14,280 --> 00:09:16,640 Speaker 1: the playoffs to make those kind of catches and and 186 00:09:16,840 --> 00:09:19,760 Speaker 1: go over one hundred yard because the defensive they're probably 187 00:09:19,760 --> 00:09:22,080 Speaker 1: going to be better than they what we thought yesterday 188 00:09:22,200 --> 00:09:25,560 Speaker 1: against the Rams and against the Colts, and in order 189 00:09:25,559 --> 00:09:28,440 Speaker 1: to win, you know, you're gonna have to kind of 190 00:09:28,440 --> 00:09:31,160 Speaker 1: spread it around, I think a little bit more. And 191 00:09:31,200 --> 00:09:33,680 Speaker 1: you're right. If Gerald can get involved, if Donald can 192 00:09:33,720 --> 00:09:37,200 Speaker 1: get involved, that just makes the offense I think the 193 00:09:37,280 --> 00:09:41,040 Speaker 1: passing attack more balanced. But Brandon Daily mentioned the tight 194 00:09:41,120 --> 00:09:43,840 Speaker 1: ends also in the in the run game yesterday too, 195 00:09:44,320 --> 00:09:48,240 Speaker 1: and it kind of bleed into into the bigger point too. 196 00:09:48,320 --> 00:09:51,360 Speaker 1: We've talked pretty much most of the season. Hey, if 197 00:09:51,360 --> 00:09:55,199 Speaker 1: the Charger can get just like a competent run game going, 198 00:09:55,440 --> 00:09:58,000 Speaker 1: that just takes so much pressure off of Justin Herbert 199 00:09:58,320 --> 00:10:00,520 Speaker 1: and he doesn't have to throw for three hundred fifty yards. 200 00:10:00,559 --> 00:10:02,839 Speaker 1: He threw for two hundred and twelve yards yesterday. That's 201 00:10:02,920 --> 00:10:06,240 Speaker 1: not by his standards, right, that's not a lot. But 202 00:10:07,160 --> 00:10:09,679 Speaker 1: he was efficient. You know, he completed seventy five percent 203 00:10:09,679 --> 00:10:13,080 Speaker 1: of his path too, touchdown, no picks, I think, no 204 00:10:13,200 --> 00:10:16,760 Speaker 1: sacks at the big big stat two. It was just 205 00:10:16,800 --> 00:10:18,520 Speaker 1: like it was just a complete performance. But it was 206 00:10:18,520 --> 00:10:21,000 Speaker 1: a balance performance. And I think when you have that, 207 00:10:21,200 --> 00:10:25,000 Speaker 1: everyone is getting involved, that receivers, running back, tight ends 208 00:10:26,480 --> 00:10:28,280 Speaker 1: and it's good to see because you know, like we 209 00:10:28,559 --> 00:10:30,440 Speaker 1: had kind of been waiting for this game. I think 210 00:10:30,480 --> 00:10:34,040 Speaker 1: the offense had been waiting for this game, and it 211 00:10:34,160 --> 00:10:35,840 Speaker 1: was good to have it because like hey, we said, 212 00:10:35,880 --> 00:10:38,679 Speaker 1: you have it, you build off it, and then you 213 00:10:38,840 --> 00:10:41,880 Speaker 1: really get ready to go. And I guess next week, 214 00:10:41,960 --> 00:10:46,360 Speaker 1: two weeks, next week, Hilly. Before we get into the defense, 215 00:10:46,840 --> 00:10:48,440 Speaker 1: I want to break up something that you said, you know, 216 00:10:48,679 --> 00:10:50,440 Speaker 1: you can knit pick, and I'm sure you had people 217 00:10:50,520 --> 00:10:53,520 Speaker 1: knitpicking about different things throughout the game, but let's just 218 00:10:53,520 --> 00:10:56,080 Speaker 1: put some things in perspective. With all the injuries, they're 219 00:10:56,080 --> 00:10:58,880 Speaker 1: ten and six, the second ten win season by this 220 00:10:59,000 --> 00:11:02,160 Speaker 1: organization since twenty ten, So I'd say that's a it's 221 00:11:02,160 --> 00:11:04,320 Speaker 1: a heck of an accomplishment when when you talk about 222 00:11:04,360 --> 00:11:06,400 Speaker 1: the last twelve years and what they were able to 223 00:11:06,440 --> 00:11:09,080 Speaker 1: do this year with so many injuries. The way they're playing, 224 00:11:09,480 --> 00:11:13,040 Speaker 1: and yes, the last four games most of those teams, 225 00:11:13,360 --> 00:11:16,319 Speaker 1: probably all those teams won't be in the playoffs. That's okay, 226 00:11:16,360 --> 00:11:19,240 Speaker 1: you play who's in front of you. The defense is 227 00:11:19,800 --> 00:11:23,640 Speaker 1: averaging eleven points allowed over the last four weeks, so 228 00:11:24,000 --> 00:11:27,360 Speaker 1: you can dipick about different things. But I'm not sure 229 00:11:27,440 --> 00:11:30,320 Speaker 1: what what you want from from a team that was 230 00:11:30,400 --> 00:11:33,199 Speaker 1: depleted by injuries all season long. They didn't have Derwin 231 00:11:33,320 --> 00:11:37,880 Speaker 1: James again yesterday. Defensively, they still allowed ten points. Yeah, 232 00:11:37,920 --> 00:11:41,040 Speaker 1: that's that's my point. I'm not even try to like 233 00:11:41,840 --> 00:11:44,280 Speaker 1: Eric Grievance or anything like that. You play who's on 234 00:11:44,320 --> 00:11:47,720 Speaker 1: your schedule. Okay, you know, as Eric just mentioned, the 235 00:11:47,760 --> 00:11:49,920 Speaker 1: teams that you're going to face in the playoffs are 236 00:11:50,000 --> 00:11:53,040 Speaker 1: much more challenging and much more difficult. One of them, 237 00:11:53,040 --> 00:11:55,160 Speaker 1: if you see, you've seen twice already this year, which 238 00:11:55,160 --> 00:11:57,880 Speaker 1: is great that you know likely what you're gonna get 239 00:11:57,920 --> 00:12:00,760 Speaker 1: because you're very familiar with them if that matchup does happen. 240 00:12:01,200 --> 00:12:05,280 Speaker 1: But here's the thing. They're playing complete football right now, 241 00:12:05,480 --> 00:12:08,440 Speaker 1: and they've been able to overcome so much and again 242 00:12:08,480 --> 00:12:11,280 Speaker 1: I think a constant and I know he was dinged 243 00:12:11,360 --> 00:12:13,520 Speaker 1: up at one point this year, but thank goodness, Justin 244 00:12:13,600 --> 00:12:17,560 Speaker 1: Herbert's injury in Week two wasn't as severe or you know, 245 00:12:18,800 --> 00:12:21,920 Speaker 1: just I guess just again as severe as it turned 246 00:12:21,960 --> 00:12:24,120 Speaker 1: out to be because he was able to he never 247 00:12:24,160 --> 00:12:25,760 Speaker 1: missed a game, he was able to weather through the 248 00:12:25,800 --> 00:12:29,360 Speaker 1: storm and now looks to be pretty much physically okay 249 00:12:29,360 --> 00:12:31,960 Speaker 1: and all of that. And so you know, if that 250 00:12:32,200 --> 00:12:34,959 Speaker 1: injury in week two was much more severe. If we're 251 00:12:34,960 --> 00:12:37,400 Speaker 1: talking like a Craft rib or something like that, you're 252 00:12:37,480 --> 00:12:40,520 Speaker 1: looking at a different team. You were looking at a 253 00:12:40,600 --> 00:12:42,640 Speaker 1: different team with a much lower record than what they 254 00:12:42,679 --> 00:12:45,120 Speaker 1: have right now. So you've been able to weather through it. 255 00:12:45,160 --> 00:12:47,920 Speaker 1: You've been able to figure it out overall. Yeah, the 256 00:12:47,960 --> 00:12:50,640 Speaker 1: majority of teams that they've played this year are not great, 257 00:12:51,280 --> 00:12:53,640 Speaker 1: but it's who you play, it's who's on your schedule. 258 00:12:53,679 --> 00:12:55,960 Speaker 1: And you got a ticket to the dance. So you 259 00:12:56,040 --> 00:12:58,520 Speaker 1: held an opponent to ten points. Yeah, you gave up 260 00:12:58,559 --> 00:13:00,840 Speaker 1: one sixty six on the ground, but like you said, 261 00:13:00,960 --> 00:13:04,520 Speaker 1: you held them to ten. So at this point, what 262 00:13:04,679 --> 00:13:08,120 Speaker 1: more do you want. They're not laying down, they're not 263 00:13:08,160 --> 00:13:10,280 Speaker 1: playing down, which I think is a great sign because 264 00:13:10,280 --> 00:13:12,680 Speaker 1: we have seen games before. We're sometimes it gets a 265 00:13:12,679 --> 00:13:14,440 Speaker 1: little dicey there, it gets a little dicky tack, but 266 00:13:14,440 --> 00:13:16,439 Speaker 1: then they pull it out at the end. But this 267 00:13:16,559 --> 00:13:19,560 Speaker 1: was a very complete, comfortable win, which is something that 268 00:13:19,600 --> 00:13:21,760 Speaker 1: again we talked about last week against the Colts. It 269 00:13:21,800 --> 00:13:24,200 Speaker 1: was nice to have that because we hadn't really seen 270 00:13:24,280 --> 00:13:26,400 Speaker 1: that a whole lot this year. So you get these 271 00:13:26,400 --> 00:13:30,280 Speaker 1: comfortable wins and it just breeds confidence. So you know 272 00:13:30,720 --> 00:13:32,880 Speaker 1: that in two weeks you're going to be facing a 273 00:13:32,960 --> 00:13:35,920 Speaker 1: much different opponent. You're probably happy if you stay with 274 00:13:35,960 --> 00:13:38,720 Speaker 1: the fifth seed who you're going to face against that four, 275 00:13:39,280 --> 00:13:42,760 Speaker 1: But again, you take it as they come, and so 276 00:13:42,800 --> 00:13:44,960 Speaker 1: I just think what you've seen over these last couple 277 00:13:44,920 --> 00:13:46,760 Speaker 1: of weeks is a really great performance. And we'll see 278 00:13:46,760 --> 00:13:48,800 Speaker 1: obviously what happens next week in Denver because they just 279 00:13:49,000 --> 00:13:50,760 Speaker 1: they still have something to play for. At this point, 280 00:13:50,800 --> 00:13:54,959 Speaker 1: you win, you're the five, yep Well said, and you 281 00:13:55,040 --> 00:13:57,200 Speaker 1: keep getting guys back. And one guy we saw back 282 00:13:57,280 --> 00:14:02,319 Speaker 1: eric Joey Bosa, and while his stat line wasn't eye popping, yeah, 283 00:14:02,400 --> 00:14:04,920 Speaker 1: he had some great rushes out there, as Bradon Staley said, 284 00:14:04,960 --> 00:14:07,680 Speaker 1: and it was just good to see him out there 285 00:14:08,000 --> 00:14:11,360 Speaker 1: and actually playing a football game before it gets real 286 00:14:11,559 --> 00:14:14,480 Speaker 1: in mid January, Morgan foxes Joey means everything to the 287 00:14:14,520 --> 00:14:18,400 Speaker 1: defensive line, and you know, seeing him on the edge 288 00:14:18,400 --> 00:14:20,400 Speaker 1: on the other side of Khalil Mack. It was fun 289 00:14:20,400 --> 00:14:23,320 Speaker 1: in week one, in the first half of week two 290 00:14:24,080 --> 00:14:26,800 Speaker 1: in Narrowhead, and obviously Joey goes out in week three, 291 00:14:26,880 --> 00:14:29,360 Speaker 1: but you know, you're starting to see what that pass 292 00:14:29,480 --> 00:14:32,880 Speaker 1: rush can look like, especially with the way Morgan Fox 293 00:14:32,920 --> 00:14:36,240 Speaker 1: and Kyle van Noy have played in December January. Yeah, 294 00:14:36,280 --> 00:14:39,320 Speaker 1: it was great to see Joey even like we kind 295 00:14:39,360 --> 00:14:41,640 Speaker 1: of said the last few weeks, no one expected him 296 00:14:41,640 --> 00:14:43,200 Speaker 1: to go out there and play the whole game, and 297 00:14:43,440 --> 00:14:46,600 Speaker 1: that's not where he's at right now physically, you know. 298 00:14:46,600 --> 00:14:48,360 Speaker 1: I mean, he only returned to practice. He only had 299 00:14:48,400 --> 00:14:51,600 Speaker 1: two practices before he got back out there, and he 300 00:14:51,640 --> 00:14:53,640 Speaker 1: played I think about half the snap, which is kind 301 00:14:53,640 --> 00:14:55,800 Speaker 1: of on track probably with what I thought, and he 302 00:14:55,840 --> 00:15:00,080 Speaker 1: was gonna play. But just like its present alone, you 303 00:15:00,120 --> 00:15:02,680 Speaker 1: know that teams have to account for him. But but 304 00:15:02,720 --> 00:15:05,960 Speaker 1: you are just so right about Van Noy and Fox, 305 00:15:06,040 --> 00:15:08,240 Speaker 1: Like those two guys have really come on in the 306 00:15:08,320 --> 00:15:12,640 Speaker 1: last month, and I'd maybe put them like in the unheralded, 307 00:15:12,840 --> 00:15:17,440 Speaker 1: like like MVP conversation of the team because without them, 308 00:15:18,240 --> 00:15:21,040 Speaker 1: like maybe that's like a resurgence on defense in the 309 00:15:21,080 --> 00:15:23,560 Speaker 1: last few weeks doesn't happen. I think those two guys 310 00:15:23,560 --> 00:15:26,920 Speaker 1: that played such a big part and that and again 311 00:15:27,200 --> 00:15:30,040 Speaker 1: you're gonna need that down the stretch because even with 312 00:15:30,360 --> 00:15:35,160 Speaker 1: the healthy Khalil, healthy Joey in the playoffs, I think, 313 00:15:35,280 --> 00:15:37,440 Speaker 1: like a formula that we've all seen that works in 314 00:15:37,480 --> 00:15:42,160 Speaker 1: the postseason is pressuring and attacking the opposing quarterback. So 315 00:15:42,200 --> 00:15:44,520 Speaker 1: if you can have not just two guys, but you 316 00:15:44,520 --> 00:15:46,520 Speaker 1: can have three, four or five guys, like I think 317 00:15:46,600 --> 00:15:49,240 Speaker 1: Chris rump has kind of come on late too. If 318 00:15:49,280 --> 00:15:53,000 Speaker 1: you can have multiple guys they can affect the other quarterback. 319 00:15:54,200 --> 00:15:58,200 Speaker 1: That's just a great formula to win. I wanted to 320 00:15:58,200 --> 00:16:00,080 Speaker 1: go back Hayley what you said about like injury and 321 00:16:00,360 --> 00:16:04,040 Speaker 1: you know the team is like really like responded. I 322 00:16:04,080 --> 00:16:06,480 Speaker 1: was kind of reading some quotes and this isn't like 323 00:16:06,480 --> 00:16:08,320 Speaker 1: a shot at the Rams. It's like reading some quotes 324 00:16:08,520 --> 00:16:10,640 Speaker 1: that like some Rams people were saying after the game 325 00:16:10,640 --> 00:16:12,800 Speaker 1: and they're like, yeah, you know, we had some guys 326 00:16:12,880 --> 00:16:14,760 Speaker 1: go down. It's kind of been the story of our season. 327 00:16:14,960 --> 00:16:16,600 Speaker 1: And there's been a lot of teams who have been 328 00:16:16,600 --> 00:16:20,760 Speaker 1: affected by injuries, you know, all year, but the Chargers 329 00:16:20,800 --> 00:16:23,040 Speaker 1: weathered the storm and are going to the playoffs. Like, 330 00:16:23,080 --> 00:16:24,600 Speaker 1: I think we need to give him some credit for 331 00:16:24,680 --> 00:16:28,200 Speaker 1: that because it could have easily gone the other way. 332 00:16:28,240 --> 00:16:30,240 Speaker 1: And I know we've talked about that a few times 333 00:16:30,360 --> 00:16:33,400 Speaker 1: on the podcast. But given the amount of attrition this 334 00:16:33,520 --> 00:16:37,240 Speaker 1: team suffered, especially like Week three to Week eight, it 335 00:16:37,360 --> 00:16:39,840 Speaker 1: felt like like someone knew was going down every week. 336 00:16:40,680 --> 00:16:43,120 Speaker 1: The fact they're ten and six, to me, it's just 337 00:16:43,160 --> 00:16:46,840 Speaker 1: like a remarkable coaching job by Brandon Daily and its staff, 338 00:16:48,440 --> 00:16:50,880 Speaker 1: a remarkable job by the players for sticking with it 339 00:16:51,200 --> 00:16:53,760 Speaker 1: and finding a way to power through and grit through 340 00:16:53,840 --> 00:16:56,840 Speaker 1: when when you're missing. You know, it feels like like 341 00:16:56,880 --> 00:17:01,200 Speaker 1: a thirty year team at one point, because like this 342 00:17:01,320 --> 00:17:06,200 Speaker 1: could have easily been like eight and eight right now, 343 00:17:06,240 --> 00:17:08,960 Speaker 1: and we'd be trying to fight for the seven, you know, 344 00:17:09,080 --> 00:17:11,479 Speaker 1: or seven and nine and you just met the playoff. 345 00:17:11,520 --> 00:17:14,240 Speaker 1: That's something that could have easily happened given all the 346 00:17:14,320 --> 00:17:17,960 Speaker 1: circumstances to this team. So yeah, like I know we 347 00:17:18,040 --> 00:17:19,560 Speaker 1: have like the shout out part of the show. I 348 00:17:19,640 --> 00:17:22,199 Speaker 1: just shout out to the whole team, I guess for 349 00:17:22,320 --> 00:17:25,640 Speaker 1: being ten and six, because that's that's like a hell 350 00:17:25,680 --> 00:17:29,280 Speaker 1: of a job. That's all I wanted to say. Well, 351 00:17:29,359 --> 00:17:34,480 Speaker 1: said Hailey the Rams in the Chargers this battle for 352 00:17:34,680 --> 00:17:37,320 Speaker 1: LA I got the vibe. I don't know if if 353 00:17:37,359 --> 00:17:38,840 Speaker 1: you got the vibe. I got the vibe that it 354 00:17:38,840 --> 00:17:40,960 Speaker 1: didn't really matter that much, Like, yeah, you know what, 355 00:17:41,200 --> 00:17:45,199 Speaker 1: it's another team, like they're focused on the playoffs. The 356 00:17:45,280 --> 00:17:48,640 Speaker 1: Chiefs and the Raiders and the Broncos are the rivals 357 00:17:48,840 --> 00:17:51,119 Speaker 1: of the Chargers, not the Rams. And you know, I 358 00:17:51,160 --> 00:17:54,640 Speaker 1: thought h McVeigh was classy and defeat us. A lot 359 00:17:54,640 --> 00:17:58,800 Speaker 1: of respect for Brandon's daley. But asking Mike and some 360 00:17:58,840 --> 00:18:02,000 Speaker 1: of the guys after the game, they're like, I really, 361 00:18:02,320 --> 00:18:04,200 Speaker 1: you know, it's just it's just another game. I don't know. 362 00:18:04,240 --> 00:18:08,000 Speaker 1: I don't know if you got that same vibe, same vibe. 363 00:18:08,119 --> 00:18:11,320 Speaker 1: This is like the Tuah Herbert conversation from a couple 364 00:18:11,359 --> 00:18:14,560 Speaker 1: of weeks ago. I don't care, Like, it doesn't it 365 00:18:14,560 --> 00:18:18,040 Speaker 1: doesn't matter, you know where. It's one of those things 366 00:18:18,080 --> 00:18:22,120 Speaker 1: that the big m media tries to make something out 367 00:18:22,119 --> 00:18:24,320 Speaker 1: of nothing, and it's really they're not rivals. This is 368 00:18:24,320 --> 00:18:26,480 Speaker 1: the first game they've played in Sofi Stadium. They played 369 00:18:26,480 --> 00:18:27,919 Speaker 1: each other every four years. They're going to play each 370 00:18:27,960 --> 00:18:30,639 Speaker 1: other in the postseason. Great, cool, okay, awesome, Like, it 371 00:18:30,960 --> 00:18:33,600 Speaker 1: really doesn't matter at the end of the day. And 372 00:18:34,200 --> 00:18:37,000 Speaker 1: I think if if, but you know, to each other 373 00:18:37,040 --> 00:18:38,359 Speaker 1: on if you want to say it matters, great, I 374 00:18:38,440 --> 00:18:40,680 Speaker 1: don't really care. They're not a rival to me, it 375 00:18:41,880 --> 00:18:45,480 Speaker 1: far from it. And honestly, again, they were completely depleted. 376 00:18:45,560 --> 00:18:48,280 Speaker 1: This game probably looks different if Aaron Donald plays, of 377 00:18:48,320 --> 00:18:51,120 Speaker 1: Cooper Cup plays, if Matthew Stafford plays. I mean, their 378 00:18:51,119 --> 00:18:54,520 Speaker 1: injuries were absolutely insane. Jalen Ramsey can't cover everybody. He's 379 00:18:54,560 --> 00:18:56,240 Speaker 1: like the only healthy guy that they have on that 380 00:18:56,280 --> 00:18:59,160 Speaker 1: team right now. And Cam makers the resurgence he had, 381 00:18:59,240 --> 00:19:03,200 Speaker 1: but but it just didn't. Yeah, the vibe wasn't there. 382 00:19:03,280 --> 00:19:05,920 Speaker 1: It didn't feel it, you know, and they've been out 383 00:19:05,960 --> 00:19:08,040 Speaker 1: of it for a couple weeks now. And whatever they 384 00:19:08,040 --> 00:19:10,480 Speaker 1: did to Denver and ate for breakfast on Christmas morning, 385 00:19:10,560 --> 00:19:12,840 Speaker 1: congratulations to them. But you know, it was a different 386 00:19:12,880 --> 00:19:15,359 Speaker 1: game last night. But it is what it is, you know, 387 00:19:15,760 --> 00:19:18,919 Speaker 1: the competitions in the AFC, the competitions in the AFC West, 388 00:19:19,280 --> 00:19:22,439 Speaker 1: the Browns are probably more of a rival to the 389 00:19:22,520 --> 00:19:24,920 Speaker 1: Chargers with how those games have gone over the last 390 00:19:24,920 --> 00:19:27,359 Speaker 1: couple of years than the Rams. At this point, I 391 00:19:27,400 --> 00:19:30,280 Speaker 1: just don't care. I think both teams can exist in 392 00:19:30,320 --> 00:19:32,800 Speaker 1: their own little worlds and let them fine, you know, 393 00:19:32,960 --> 00:19:37,200 Speaker 1: just just let them do their thing. That's right. Ten 394 00:19:37,240 --> 00:19:41,840 Speaker 1: and six. The Chargers eric the Broncos week eighteen, And 395 00:19:41,880 --> 00:19:45,760 Speaker 1: I think what's unique about this is that the Saturday games, right, 396 00:19:45,840 --> 00:19:51,919 Speaker 1: the Chiefs and the Raiders, right, the Chiefs potentially, you know, 397 00:19:51,920 --> 00:19:54,520 Speaker 1: depending on what happens on Monday Night football. I think 398 00:19:54,560 --> 00:19:56,720 Speaker 1: you're watching this game to night very intently if you're 399 00:19:56,720 --> 00:19:59,800 Speaker 1: the Chargers, and then Saturday, like, if the Chiefs have 400 00:19:59,800 --> 00:20:04,000 Speaker 1: an opportunity to wrap up the one seed on Saturday, 401 00:20:04,560 --> 00:20:07,640 Speaker 1: that's gonna I think dictate what Ravens Bengals is gonna 402 00:20:07,680 --> 00:20:09,760 Speaker 1: look like. And then you know, if the Chargers stay 403 00:20:09,760 --> 00:20:12,480 Speaker 1: in the five seed, they're gonna know who their opponent 404 00:20:12,640 --> 00:20:15,680 Speaker 1: is going into the Broncos game, right like it. I mean, 405 00:20:15,760 --> 00:20:17,720 Speaker 1: it's either gonna be Tennessee to Jackson who played on 406 00:20:17,720 --> 00:20:21,560 Speaker 1: Saturday night. So I just wonder, what do you think. 407 00:20:21,800 --> 00:20:24,240 Speaker 1: You know, we're gonna hear from Brandon Staley later today 408 00:20:24,280 --> 00:20:26,359 Speaker 1: and throughout the week, But what do you think the 409 00:20:26,400 --> 00:20:30,800 Speaker 1: team's approach should be going into week eighteen trying to 410 00:20:30,840 --> 00:20:35,040 Speaker 1: balance staying confident and keeping the momentum going and also 411 00:20:35,080 --> 00:20:37,760 Speaker 1: of course staying healthy. I think they just have the 412 00:20:37,800 --> 00:20:40,640 Speaker 1: same approach that they just had in Week seventeen, which 413 00:20:40,680 --> 00:20:44,920 Speaker 1: is show up, dominate the opponent, take the starters out 414 00:20:44,920 --> 00:20:46,760 Speaker 1: in the fourth quarter. I think I think that worked 415 00:20:46,760 --> 00:20:51,479 Speaker 1: brilliantly yesterday. Like I would agree with you guys. The vibe. 416 00:20:51,600 --> 00:20:54,600 Speaker 1: The vibe to me wasn't the Battle of la It was, Hey, 417 00:20:54,600 --> 00:20:56,800 Speaker 1: we're here to win. We're here to be up by 418 00:20:56,880 --> 00:20:59,320 Speaker 1: double like twenty point in the fourth quarter, get the 419 00:20:59,400 --> 00:21:03,680 Speaker 1: job done, put Chase Daniel in, and then let guys 420 00:21:03,720 --> 00:21:06,800 Speaker 1: rest in the final second half of the fourth quarter. 421 00:21:07,240 --> 00:21:09,080 Speaker 1: And I think that's a good mindset to have again 422 00:21:09,119 --> 00:21:13,160 Speaker 1: because I think given where like all we've talked about 423 00:21:13,200 --> 00:21:15,840 Speaker 1: so far on this podcast, you definitely want to keep 424 00:21:15,880 --> 00:21:17,760 Speaker 1: the momentum going. I don't think this is the game 425 00:21:17,760 --> 00:21:23,800 Speaker 1: where you sit people completely right and then and then 426 00:21:23,800 --> 00:21:26,680 Speaker 1: you kind of lose, lose what you're building in all 427 00:21:26,680 --> 00:21:30,080 Speaker 1: three phases, I think you got to play guys. Maybe 428 00:21:30,080 --> 00:21:33,840 Speaker 1: you treat it like a an extended preseason game where 429 00:21:33,880 --> 00:21:37,440 Speaker 1: like you play guys like three quarters and kind of 430 00:21:37,480 --> 00:21:39,920 Speaker 1: see where you're at. But again, you have to win 431 00:21:40,000 --> 00:21:42,479 Speaker 1: the game to get the five. Like you can't like 432 00:21:42,560 --> 00:21:44,640 Speaker 1: play half the game and be like Okay, that's enough 433 00:21:45,000 --> 00:21:49,040 Speaker 1: and then something crazy happens and you lose and you 434 00:21:49,080 --> 00:21:51,159 Speaker 1: get to six. That's why I think I think you 435 00:21:51,240 --> 00:21:54,520 Speaker 1: played you not to borrow her Edwards, but you played 436 00:21:54,520 --> 00:21:58,560 Speaker 1: a win and I think Brandon Daley kind of hinted 437 00:21:58,560 --> 00:22:00,720 Speaker 1: at that last night too. He's like, we're gonna He's like, 438 00:22:00,720 --> 00:22:03,040 Speaker 1: we're trying to go as high as we can because again, 439 00:22:03,119 --> 00:22:06,280 Speaker 1: you know, if you get the five, then you play 440 00:22:06,280 --> 00:22:08,840 Speaker 1: the winner of the South at the four, and then 441 00:22:08,880 --> 00:22:12,320 Speaker 1: you got to play probably the two or either two 442 00:22:12,400 --> 00:22:17,680 Speaker 1: or three. Um, any anything to avoid anything, to make 443 00:22:17,680 --> 00:22:21,280 Speaker 1: it the easiest path possible. And that's what kind of 444 00:22:21,359 --> 00:22:23,159 Speaker 1: Brandon Daily said last night. He's like, we're trying to 445 00:22:23,160 --> 00:22:24,520 Speaker 1: go as far as we can, go as high as 446 00:22:24,560 --> 00:22:28,320 Speaker 1: we can, but um, if you got to play the 447 00:22:28,400 --> 00:22:31,639 Speaker 1: Chiefs in the second round, that's probably not where you 448 00:22:31,680 --> 00:22:32,960 Speaker 1: want to see them. You know, you probably want to 449 00:22:32,960 --> 00:22:34,760 Speaker 1: see him in the AFC title game if you if 450 00:22:34,800 --> 00:22:38,120 Speaker 1: you can get that farm, I just think it's win. 451 00:22:38,400 --> 00:22:41,320 Speaker 1: Try to create the easiest path and for me that 452 00:22:41,440 --> 00:22:46,280 Speaker 1: play guys all or most of the game in Denver, Yeah, 453 00:22:46,320 --> 00:22:48,760 Speaker 1: I think I think you played a win. I also 454 00:22:48,800 --> 00:22:53,240 Speaker 1: think that this team shouldn't really worry about who they're 455 00:22:53,240 --> 00:22:55,399 Speaker 1: gonna play in the playoffs because you're gonna have to 456 00:22:55,480 --> 00:22:59,359 Speaker 1: go through Kansas City, Buffalo since whoever. Like, if you 457 00:22:59,400 --> 00:23:00,919 Speaker 1: want to go to where you ultimately want to go, 458 00:23:00,920 --> 00:23:04,200 Speaker 1: and that's Glendale, it doesn't matter like where you start. 459 00:23:04,320 --> 00:23:06,440 Speaker 1: You know, you could say maybe it's an easier path 460 00:23:06,480 --> 00:23:08,920 Speaker 1: to play the South team. Well, hey, I know, Justin 461 00:23:09,000 --> 00:23:10,840 Speaker 1: Herbert was hurt and there was a ton of injuries 462 00:23:10,840 --> 00:23:13,480 Speaker 1: in Week three, But but Jacksonville put it on the Chargers. 463 00:23:13,680 --> 00:23:17,000 Speaker 1: UM Tennessee plays this grinded out game, so I mean, 464 00:23:17,240 --> 00:23:21,920 Speaker 1: there's no gimmes in the playoffs. So I'm kind of 465 00:23:21,920 --> 00:23:25,120 Speaker 1: the mind of you know what, like like Brandon Shilly said, 466 00:23:25,160 --> 00:23:28,159 Speaker 1: you know, play get as high as you can. But 467 00:23:28,240 --> 00:23:31,720 Speaker 1: at the same time, if somehow you you're you're stuck 468 00:23:31,760 --> 00:23:33,800 Speaker 1: with the sixth seed and you have to go to Cincinnati, 469 00:23:35,040 --> 00:23:36,400 Speaker 1: I think this is where you have to like kind 470 00:23:36,400 --> 00:23:40,080 Speaker 1: of harken back to last year, right, this this team 471 00:23:40,160 --> 00:23:41,919 Speaker 1: with a lot of the same guys on offense, and 472 00:23:41,960 --> 00:23:43,200 Speaker 1: you know, I know there's a lot of moving parts 473 00:23:43,200 --> 00:23:46,600 Speaker 1: on defense. But they beat Kansas City and Arrowhead last year. 474 00:23:46,960 --> 00:23:50,080 Speaker 1: They went to Cincinnati and beat the Bengals last year. 475 00:23:50,880 --> 00:23:54,160 Speaker 1: They beat the Titans this year, and they at least 476 00:23:54,160 --> 00:23:57,120 Speaker 1: had that experience Hailey with the Jags in Week three, 477 00:23:57,320 --> 00:24:00,159 Speaker 1: So you know, I know that you want to get 478 00:24:00,160 --> 00:24:03,840 Speaker 1: as high as you can. UM. But Week Eighteens are 479 00:24:03,880 --> 00:24:07,960 Speaker 1: real nutty and crazy things can happen, like how about 480 00:24:08,000 --> 00:24:11,440 Speaker 1: the Packers Hailey four and eight eight and night now 481 00:24:11,800 --> 00:24:16,199 Speaker 1: they win, they're in. Yeah, it's while the Packers and 482 00:24:16,240 --> 00:24:18,520 Speaker 1: the Patriots I think in the AFC control their own 483 00:24:18,520 --> 00:24:21,240 Speaker 1: destinies at this point to that that seventh seed in 484 00:24:21,280 --> 00:24:24,679 Speaker 1: both conferences. Um, I'm gonna get on my Weather Channel 485 00:24:24,720 --> 00:24:27,040 Speaker 1: box again and just talk about how I want this 486 00:24:27,080 --> 00:24:29,600 Speaker 1: team to play in the cold. I just do, and 487 00:24:30,000 --> 00:24:32,040 Speaker 1: it's supposed to be. I'm looking at the cot the 488 00:24:32,160 --> 00:24:39,000 Speaker 1: excuse me, the forecast. I got the forecast Weather Channel box. 489 00:24:39,160 --> 00:24:41,760 Speaker 1: You need a green screen. I wish I had one. 490 00:24:41,840 --> 00:24:44,400 Speaker 1: This is like Aaron Andrews always talks about this a lot, 491 00:24:44,440 --> 00:24:46,760 Speaker 1: like her dream job is to be like the weather 492 00:24:46,840 --> 00:24:49,119 Speaker 1: person on like the Weather Channel when in the middle 493 00:24:49,119 --> 00:24:51,280 Speaker 1: of the hurricane, like out there and it's hilarious. I 494 00:24:51,720 --> 00:24:54,240 Speaker 1: don't have that high of aspirations, but you know there's 495 00:24:54,280 --> 00:24:57,320 Speaker 1: something fun about it. Anyway, forty three in Denver. That 496 00:24:57,440 --> 00:24:59,639 Speaker 1: is the high this Sunday. We are looking at a 497 00:24:59,720 --> 00:25:03,400 Speaker 1: low of nineteen. This team. I said it last week. 498 00:25:03,400 --> 00:25:04,679 Speaker 1: I'll say it again. They have not played in the 499 00:25:04,720 --> 00:25:08,320 Speaker 1: cold all season. And look, you're probably not going if 500 00:25:08,320 --> 00:25:11,280 Speaker 1: you finish with the five, you're not going. If it's Jacksonville, 501 00:25:11,320 --> 00:25:13,600 Speaker 1: it's not going to be forty three degrees, they're most likely, 502 00:25:14,040 --> 00:25:16,720 Speaker 1: but you know it's coming later on down the road. 503 00:25:16,840 --> 00:25:19,520 Speaker 1: And I just think it sounds again I said it 504 00:25:19,600 --> 00:25:22,600 Speaker 1: last week, so stupid to say, but I really would 505 00:25:22,640 --> 00:25:25,920 Speaker 1: like them just to have the experience and the feeling 506 00:25:26,000 --> 00:25:29,320 Speaker 1: of it, because you know that's what's coming. And this 507 00:25:29,400 --> 00:25:32,240 Speaker 1: is a team that, yeah, plays in southern California essentially 508 00:25:32,320 --> 00:25:35,800 Speaker 1: indoors because there's a roof on the place, sides are exposed. 509 00:25:35,840 --> 00:25:38,399 Speaker 1: We know the sofi structure, but I just want to 510 00:25:38,400 --> 00:25:41,480 Speaker 1: see it, and I think that experience it's like, hey, 511 00:25:41,760 --> 00:25:43,520 Speaker 1: here's your game, Like this is what it's going to 512 00:25:43,560 --> 00:25:45,199 Speaker 1: be like playing in the cold. You haven't done it 513 00:25:45,240 --> 00:25:47,960 Speaker 1: all year. At least get out, like Eric to your point, 514 00:25:48,200 --> 00:25:50,679 Speaker 1: if you can get up and then rest guys, that's phenomenal, 515 00:25:50,760 --> 00:25:52,840 Speaker 1: that's fantastic, just to give them a little bit of 516 00:25:52,840 --> 00:25:55,399 Speaker 1: a break. But they're also, as we said, there's something 517 00:25:55,400 --> 00:25:57,280 Speaker 1: to play for in this game, just like there is 518 00:25:57,320 --> 00:26:00,000 Speaker 1: something to play for this past week. It's the Jacksonville 519 00:26:00,040 --> 00:26:02,440 Speaker 1: vibe of like we're not going to rest guys we're 520 00:26:02,480 --> 00:26:05,200 Speaker 1: not gonna you know, we're keeping it going. We're keeping 521 00:26:05,200 --> 00:26:08,000 Speaker 1: this train moving. We're not subscribing to the Hey, we're 522 00:26:08,000 --> 00:26:09,320 Speaker 1: in and now we're going to kind of take a 523 00:26:09,359 --> 00:26:11,840 Speaker 1: seat back because that's not what this is about and 524 00:26:11,920 --> 00:26:14,719 Speaker 1: what a mentality should be about. But I do um, 525 00:26:15,000 --> 00:26:17,320 Speaker 1: I do like the fact that they are going to 526 00:26:17,440 --> 00:26:21,240 Speaker 1: go to a cold place this Sunday and Denver's weird. 527 00:26:21,280 --> 00:26:23,440 Speaker 1: Their weather changes all the time. Could be higher, could 528 00:26:23,480 --> 00:26:25,480 Speaker 1: be lower, But if we're looking at the low forties 529 00:26:25,560 --> 00:26:28,440 Speaker 1: right now, I think that's a really good barometer, no 530 00:26:28,600 --> 00:26:31,399 Speaker 1: pun intended, um as to what's to come over the 531 00:26:31,440 --> 00:26:34,880 Speaker 1: next few weeks. This should just be a weather podcast 532 00:26:34,920 --> 00:26:36,840 Speaker 1: from here on. I bring the jokes, guys, we got it. 533 00:26:36,840 --> 00:26:39,760 Speaker 1: We gotta keep it light here up now that now 534 00:26:39,800 --> 00:26:42,439 Speaker 1: that we've hit the playoffs, we'll have a we'll have 535 00:26:42,480 --> 00:26:45,680 Speaker 1: a Doppler three thousand with Haley um during the wildcard 536 00:26:45,760 --> 00:26:52,280 Speaker 1: round and every round moving forward. Uh but hey, do 537 00:26:52,320 --> 00:26:55,280 Speaker 1: you remember and Eric, I'm sure you remember the Suite 538 00:26:55,280 --> 00:26:57,639 Speaker 1: twenty eighteen when the Charges went to Baltimore. It was 539 00:26:57,680 --> 00:27:00,720 Speaker 1: like very season it was like seasonably warm. In a 540 00:27:00,800 --> 00:27:04,199 Speaker 1: wildcard game the next week, it was one of the 541 00:27:04,200 --> 00:27:08,080 Speaker 1: coldest atmospheres I've been a part of, and the cold 542 00:27:09,000 --> 00:27:13,280 Speaker 1: is a real thing. It was freezing into England, So Eric, 543 00:27:13,480 --> 00:27:17,760 Speaker 1: you do have to be I think, cognizant of what 544 00:27:17,800 --> 00:27:21,240 Speaker 1: the weather could be like in Cincinnati or Buffalo or 545 00:27:21,320 --> 00:27:24,280 Speaker 1: Kansas City. The thing about this one seed, you know, 546 00:27:25,520 --> 00:27:27,680 Speaker 1: you know, you guys may be listening to this or 547 00:27:27,720 --> 00:27:30,199 Speaker 1: watching this on Monday or maybe maybe on Tuesday. And 548 00:27:30,240 --> 00:27:33,040 Speaker 1: if you're you're watching or listening on Tuesday, you'll know 549 00:27:33,160 --> 00:27:37,119 Speaker 1: what happened with the Bills and Bengals. But this is 550 00:27:37,160 --> 00:27:40,960 Speaker 1: still a very real race for the number one overall seed, Eric, 551 00:27:41,000 --> 00:27:42,920 Speaker 1: and there's so much to be determined here over these 552 00:27:42,960 --> 00:27:46,320 Speaker 1: next five six days. Yeah, I mean, I think that 553 00:27:46,359 --> 00:27:49,359 Speaker 1: the Monday night game is the biggest game of the year. 554 00:27:49,640 --> 00:27:53,879 Speaker 1: I mean, and that's like not r it's not often 555 00:27:54,040 --> 00:27:56,400 Speaker 1: right that you can say that it's in prime time. 556 00:27:56,440 --> 00:28:00,000 Speaker 1: It's in week seventeen, and it's like it's just so impactful. 557 00:28:01,320 --> 00:28:03,919 Speaker 1: Like I don't know if you guys use as a website. Uh, 558 00:28:04,200 --> 00:28:07,080 Speaker 1: Nate Silver's like five thirty eight. He has like um 559 00:28:07,960 --> 00:28:10,239 Speaker 1: odds and predictions and stuff like, and he has um 560 00:28:10,400 --> 00:28:12,439 Speaker 1: like how important each game is. This game is like 561 00:28:12,480 --> 00:28:14,880 Speaker 1: a hundred out of a hundred in terms of important. 562 00:28:15,920 --> 00:28:18,080 Speaker 1: It's just massive. It affects so many. I think it 563 00:28:18,119 --> 00:28:21,920 Speaker 1: affects like every team in the AFT playoff picture. It's 564 00:28:21,920 --> 00:28:23,520 Speaker 1: not just the two team play to night, Like the 565 00:28:23,600 --> 00:28:26,400 Speaker 1: Chiefs are affected? Are they the one? Are they not? 566 00:28:26,920 --> 00:28:29,520 Speaker 1: You know, obviously the two teams playing Baltimore is affected. 567 00:28:30,960 --> 00:28:34,399 Speaker 1: You know, even like the AFC South, Like it's going 568 00:28:34,440 --> 00:28:37,879 Speaker 1: to affect them somehow too. And obviously it affects the 569 00:28:37,960 --> 00:28:40,840 Speaker 1: Chargers you know, based on how how we could play 570 00:28:40,840 --> 00:28:44,720 Speaker 1: it out as well. Yeah, just it's just such a 571 00:28:44,760 --> 00:28:46,840 Speaker 1: fun time a year. Um. And it's still great that 572 00:28:47,040 --> 00:28:50,240 Speaker 1: we're going to the playoffs because it's fun. It's a 573 00:28:50,320 --> 00:28:52,760 Speaker 1: fan to kind of watch him afar and like say, oh, 574 00:28:52,760 --> 00:28:54,800 Speaker 1: well if this happens, this happened. But when you're in it, 575 00:28:55,240 --> 00:28:56,720 Speaker 1: you know, and I know we've all been in the 576 00:28:56,760 --> 00:28:58,480 Speaker 1: league for a long time, it's just like it's such 577 00:28:58,480 --> 00:29:03,480 Speaker 1: a fun time of year. There's so exciting. Um, And yeah, 578 00:29:03,520 --> 00:29:07,840 Speaker 1: I love it hally before we go, I think we 579 00:29:07,920 --> 00:29:11,320 Speaker 1: always kind of like briefly touch on it on these 580 00:29:11,320 --> 00:29:14,720 Speaker 1: final drives, but just shout out to the special teams again, man, 581 00:29:14,920 --> 00:29:18,800 Speaker 1: every time I see Cameron Dicker trot out there, there's 582 00:29:18,840 --> 00:29:21,200 Speaker 1: like this sense of confidence that that kind of I 583 00:29:21,200 --> 00:29:24,880 Speaker 1: think radiates on the sideline among among the players. Like 584 00:29:24,960 --> 00:29:28,920 Speaker 1: this guy, he just he rolled up halfway through the 585 00:29:29,000 --> 00:29:31,800 Speaker 1: year kick a forty yard or no problem. You know. 586 00:29:32,160 --> 00:29:35,520 Speaker 1: It just it seems like that spot specifically has been 587 00:29:35,560 --> 00:29:38,400 Speaker 1: such a thorn in the Chargers side. And it's not 588 00:29:38,480 --> 00:29:40,360 Speaker 1: just when I say specially seem it's not just Dicker, 589 00:29:40,400 --> 00:29:42,920 Speaker 1: it's it's what Ryan Ficken has done with this unit. 590 00:29:43,040 --> 00:29:48,040 Speaker 1: But um, I feel like we need to remind ourselves, 591 00:29:48,080 --> 00:29:51,000 Speaker 1: and you know, I'm sure the fans see it. Special 592 00:29:51,000 --> 00:29:53,480 Speaker 1: teams has been such a sore spot with this team, 593 00:29:53,480 --> 00:29:55,680 Speaker 1: and it's been such a bright spot in twenty twenty 594 00:29:55,680 --> 00:29:59,720 Speaker 1: two and now twenty three. Yeah, Chris, I brought this 595 00:29:59,880 --> 00:30:01,880 Speaker 1: up a couple of podcasts ago, but I'll bring it 596 00:30:01,960 --> 00:30:04,560 Speaker 1: up again. But there's that one training camp practice where you, 597 00:30:05,080 --> 00:30:06,920 Speaker 1: Matt Vinie Smith and we were standing around and we 598 00:30:06,920 --> 00:30:09,920 Speaker 1: were like naming all the kickers this team had been through. 599 00:30:10,320 --> 00:30:13,400 Speaker 1: Little did we know that this season would add two 600 00:30:13,400 --> 00:30:19,400 Speaker 1: more names to that roster, if you will. But it 601 00:30:19,800 --> 00:30:22,400 Speaker 1: really is like a weird thing in a sense for 602 00:30:22,480 --> 00:30:24,520 Speaker 1: that side. Of the ball to be completely flipped and 603 00:30:24,840 --> 00:30:27,600 Speaker 1: have a really really positive impact. Going back to the 604 00:30:27,640 --> 00:30:31,280 Speaker 1: weather really quick, even like Cameron Dick are kicking in elements. 605 00:30:31,320 --> 00:30:32,960 Speaker 1: I mean, that is something I think that you want 606 00:30:32,960 --> 00:30:35,560 Speaker 1: to see at this point too, because again we are 607 00:30:35,600 --> 00:30:38,880 Speaker 1: an indoor team essentially with an artificial turf field, so 608 00:30:39,560 --> 00:30:41,200 Speaker 1: being able to you know, we talk a lot about 609 00:30:41,200 --> 00:30:43,200 Speaker 1: just playing in general, but I think to your point 610 00:30:43,200 --> 00:30:45,920 Speaker 1: about special teams, that's going to be a huge element 611 00:30:46,040 --> 00:30:48,680 Speaker 1: as well when it comes to colder weather. But I 612 00:30:48,720 --> 00:30:51,520 Speaker 1: just think it's been really really nice to seem to 613 00:30:51,680 --> 00:30:53,880 Speaker 1: see that that phase, that side of the ball, that 614 00:30:54,080 --> 00:30:57,120 Speaker 1: entire just unit really really short up. And I know 615 00:30:57,160 --> 00:31:01,000 Speaker 1: that that was a vision obviously that was implemented when 616 00:31:01,040 --> 00:31:03,400 Speaker 1: they brought in Ryan Ficken to really just transform and 617 00:31:03,480 --> 00:31:05,959 Speaker 1: change that unit. And you've seen it this year absolutely, 618 00:31:05,960 --> 00:31:07,880 Speaker 1: and you've seen them weather things that they haven't been 619 00:31:07,920 --> 00:31:10,280 Speaker 1: able to kind of overcome or weather in the past. So, 620 00:31:10,840 --> 00:31:12,680 Speaker 1: like you said, shout out to that group, that unit, 621 00:31:12,760 --> 00:31:16,040 Speaker 1: Cameron Dicker, and I think, you know, special teams wins 622 00:31:16,080 --> 00:31:17,800 Speaker 1: ball games at times, and I think that could be 623 00:31:17,800 --> 00:31:20,080 Speaker 1: a huge vocal point of what happens in this postseason 624 00:31:20,120 --> 00:31:22,480 Speaker 1: two you know, a miskick here and there, a maid 625 00:31:22,600 --> 00:31:24,760 Speaker 1: kick here and there can change your fortune in terms 626 00:31:24,800 --> 00:31:26,719 Speaker 1: of if you move on or if you're packing up 627 00:31:26,720 --> 00:31:30,240 Speaker 1: and going home. Think about the Bengals last year in 628 00:31:30,320 --> 00:31:33,960 Speaker 1: Evan McPherson and how clutch he was during every single 629 00:31:34,040 --> 00:31:35,560 Speaker 1: round of the playoffs. There's a reason they went to 630 00:31:35,600 --> 00:31:38,840 Speaker 1: the Super Bowl, right Like, So like the special teams 631 00:31:39,400 --> 00:31:42,440 Speaker 1: is going to have a say in what the Chargers do. 632 00:31:43,080 --> 00:31:46,920 Speaker 1: Commid January Eric final thoughts as we get added here, 633 00:31:46,960 --> 00:31:48,600 Speaker 1: anything from the game that we didn't touch on that 634 00:31:48,640 --> 00:31:50,960 Speaker 1: you want to get out there to the folks. Yeah, 635 00:31:50,960 --> 00:31:52,600 Speaker 1: I got I got two quick final thought One on 636 00:31:52,640 --> 00:31:56,400 Speaker 1: tobacco team we talk about Cameron Dicker, but also of 637 00:31:56,480 --> 00:31:58,960 Speaker 1: some love did JK goot Way too? I mean, he's 638 00:31:58,960 --> 00:32:02,000 Speaker 1: having a really good year. And I think I haven't 639 00:32:02,000 --> 00:32:05,240 Speaker 1: looked after the game, but I think if the Chargers 640 00:32:05,240 --> 00:32:08,600 Speaker 1: are still number one in punt coverage, they just don't 641 00:32:08,640 --> 00:32:12,000 Speaker 1: give up any punt return yards, right, Like it's either 642 00:32:12,040 --> 00:32:14,320 Speaker 1: a fair catch or like a one or two yard return. 643 00:32:15,200 --> 00:32:17,080 Speaker 1: That could be such a big factor too, because if 644 00:32:17,080 --> 00:32:19,320 Speaker 1: you can win the field position battle, and we know 645 00:32:19,440 --> 00:32:22,400 Speaker 1: Brandon Daily loved to talk about that especially with how 646 00:32:22,440 --> 00:32:25,320 Speaker 1: the defensive playing that could go a long way. I 647 00:32:25,360 --> 00:32:27,960 Speaker 1: think Daily said last night that special teams had been 648 00:32:28,400 --> 00:32:32,680 Speaker 1: the most consistent unit of the Chargers all season. I 649 00:32:32,680 --> 00:32:35,880 Speaker 1: don't think we would have predicted that at the beginning 650 00:32:35,880 --> 00:32:39,120 Speaker 1: of the season, but here we are. Yeah. The other 651 00:32:39,120 --> 00:32:42,560 Speaker 1: final thought is just like kind of a punt here. 652 00:32:42,600 --> 00:32:45,080 Speaker 1: But I'm glad that that game like didn't come down 653 00:32:45,120 --> 00:32:48,120 Speaker 1: to the final drive, because every other game this year 654 00:32:48,160 --> 00:32:50,920 Speaker 1: had it, feels like, and it was just nice to 655 00:32:51,920 --> 00:32:56,120 Speaker 1: have backups in right, no, with like eight minutes left 656 00:32:56,120 --> 00:32:58,400 Speaker 1: in the fourth quarter that you're gonna win. It just 657 00:32:58,440 --> 00:33:01,400 Speaker 1: took like a lot of the of dress and pressure 658 00:33:01,480 --> 00:33:03,840 Speaker 1: off the team, you know. And we talked a lot 659 00:33:03,880 --> 00:33:06,200 Speaker 1: this year about how it's been a grind like mentally 660 00:33:06,280 --> 00:33:11,440 Speaker 1: physically on this team to win big and just give 661 00:33:11,480 --> 00:33:13,600 Speaker 1: yourself a little bit of a breather, you know. I 662 00:33:13,600 --> 00:33:15,920 Speaker 1: think it's just it just it does such wondered for 663 00:33:15,960 --> 00:33:18,400 Speaker 1: the team. There's still a game left, but like I 664 00:33:18,440 --> 00:33:22,280 Speaker 1: think the overall, like the mindset, the mind frame, like 665 00:33:23,000 --> 00:33:26,680 Speaker 1: the body, like, I think everyone just feels good around 666 00:33:26,680 --> 00:33:30,720 Speaker 1: this building and that's a good place to be because 667 00:33:31,120 --> 00:33:33,480 Speaker 1: it's better than like trying to like claw your way 668 00:33:33,520 --> 00:33:36,760 Speaker 1: in in week seventeen. Week eighteen, we're like kind of 669 00:33:36,840 --> 00:33:39,120 Speaker 1: riding the high and I think that's just like the 670 00:33:39,160 --> 00:33:42,280 Speaker 1: ideal place to be. Yeah, and you know what, I 671 00:33:42,360 --> 00:33:44,880 Speaker 1: wanted to mention third down defense again. The last four 672 00:33:44,920 --> 00:33:49,400 Speaker 1: weeks three of eleven, the Dolphins were three of eleven, 673 00:33:50,080 --> 00:33:55,720 Speaker 1: Tennessee over ten Indie four of eleven. Last week, third 674 00:33:55,760 --> 00:33:59,400 Speaker 1: down defense has been awesome. So that's it's just another 675 00:33:59,680 --> 00:34:03,920 Speaker 1: another piece to that defensive puzzle in December and January, Hailey, 676 00:34:04,000 --> 00:34:09,000 Speaker 1: anything else as we get to add he here, Um No, 677 00:34:09,160 --> 00:34:12,840 Speaker 1: I think any other weather hit, any other weather remaining stories, 678 00:34:14,960 --> 00:34:17,800 Speaker 1: you guys, I'll just when next week when we find 679 00:34:17,800 --> 00:34:19,959 Speaker 1: out who this team is playing, I'll have the full 680 00:34:20,000 --> 00:34:23,960 Speaker 1: weather report. We'll pull it up on the Microsoft surface 681 00:34:24,000 --> 00:34:26,319 Speaker 1: here and we'll just we'll check it out. Yeah, maybe 682 00:34:26,360 --> 00:34:28,399 Speaker 1: this is maybe this is my second act in life. 683 00:34:28,400 --> 00:34:30,279 Speaker 1: Maybe this is what I'm gonna do. And I'm just kidding. Um, 684 00:34:30,800 --> 00:34:34,480 Speaker 1: I think I think again, it was a really complete game. 685 00:34:34,600 --> 00:34:37,839 Speaker 1: It was a really comfortable win. Um. I do want 686 00:34:37,840 --> 00:34:40,319 Speaker 1: to make a Joe talking to Morgan Fox after the 687 00:34:40,320 --> 00:34:42,000 Speaker 1: game and asking about Kyle van Noy and he calls 688 00:34:42,080 --> 00:34:43,560 Speaker 1: him the old man like. I just think it's a 689 00:34:43,560 --> 00:34:46,880 Speaker 1: really funny thing that's been happening all here with this team. 690 00:34:46,920 --> 00:34:49,520 Speaker 1: But you've also seen, and we touched on it really 691 00:34:49,520 --> 00:34:53,040 Speaker 1: briefly earlier, but the free agent acquisitions that this team 692 00:34:53,040 --> 00:34:56,080 Speaker 1: made in the offseason really paying dividends right now. And 693 00:34:56,560 --> 00:34:59,040 Speaker 1: I think one of the things when we talk about comfort, 694 00:35:00,080 --> 00:35:02,520 Speaker 1: I'll leave it on this note that Brandon Staley talked 695 00:35:02,520 --> 00:35:05,719 Speaker 1: about Kyle van Noy specifically and how he was really 696 00:35:05,760 --> 00:35:10,080 Speaker 1: in one system pretty much virtually his entire NFL career, 697 00:35:10,200 --> 00:35:12,920 Speaker 1: and now he's got the comfort in this one. And 698 00:35:13,000 --> 00:35:15,520 Speaker 1: I think we've seen that. I think that we've even 699 00:35:15,520 --> 00:35:17,400 Speaker 1: talked about it last week, like the defense played so 700 00:35:17,440 --> 00:35:19,360 Speaker 1: well against the Colts. Yes, I know it was the Colts, 701 00:35:19,400 --> 00:35:22,279 Speaker 1: but just the fact that different guys were playing so 702 00:35:22,320 --> 00:35:25,200 Speaker 1: well and maybe they just now feel like they've kind 703 00:35:25,200 --> 00:35:27,440 Speaker 1: of mastered it. I don't know if things were simplified, 704 00:35:27,520 --> 00:35:30,200 Speaker 1: but there is a comfortability that sort of had to 705 00:35:30,280 --> 00:35:31,920 Speaker 1: kick in, and there were a lot of new faces, 706 00:35:31,960 --> 00:35:34,799 Speaker 1: specifically on that defensive side. So it's good to see 707 00:35:34,800 --> 00:35:37,360 Speaker 1: those guys playing really tight, playing really well, and you 708 00:35:37,400 --> 00:35:41,319 Speaker 1: hope to keep it going. Next week. We'll have wind chill, 709 00:35:42,480 --> 00:35:48,320 Speaker 1: precipitation percentage. Everything you need for the wildcard round for 710 00:35:48,840 --> 00:35:51,560 Speaker 1: Eric Smith and Haley went up Chris Hayry, this is 711 00:35:51,760 --> 00:35:54,839 Speaker 1: the final drive. Happy New Year, We'll see you next 712 00:35:54,840 --> 00:36:00,480 Speaker 1: week